The Bronx Zoo Hosts Discover Madagascar! Weekends
THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY'S BRONX ZOO
HOSTS DISCOVER MADAGASCAR! WEEKENDS

 

Presented by Bank of America Weekends: June 21-22 through July 26-27

Bronx, NY - The opening of the Wildlife Conservation Society's spectacular new exhibit Madagascar! at the Bronx Zoo is cause for a celebration. Each *weekend from June 21-22 through July 26-27 (including *Friday, July 4) zoo-goers are
invited to join in special weekend event festivities heralding this brilliant immersion habitat with some of the most exotic wildlife on Earth.

The landmark 1903 Lion House has been completely restored as a "green" building and is a major project of the WCS "Gateways to Conservation" campaign. Once the home of the Bronx Zoo's big cats, the building has been reinvented and now exhibits playful lemurs, cat-like fossa, huge Nile crocodiles, radiated tortoises, colorful fodys, and thousands of Madagascar hissing cockroaches - all just some of the wildlife that are sure to delight visitors.

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has worked to save Madagascar's biodiversity for nearly 20 years. Through its projects and partnerships, WCS is focused on protecting and managing a diversity of wild places in Madagascar,
including the country's largest remaining tract of rain forest, a quarter of its coastal forests, and its vast coral reefs - the third largest coral reef system in the world.

During the public event weekends, Astor Court will be transformed into a Malagasy bazaar showcasing the rich culture, tradition, and uniqueness of Madagascar, called "the eighth continent."  Be sure to visit www.bronxzoo.com to plan a trip, purchase general admission tickets online, and know the facts before the big day, getting the insider's scoop on some of Madagascar! residents and how the exhibit was made. 

DISCOVER MADAGASCAR WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
*Weekends June 21-22 through July 26-27 ~ 11 a.m -4:30 p.m.

Madagascar Encounter ~ Explore the displays and learn about vanilla and cotton production, and see some the beautiful handiwork of this island community 11:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. - Astor Court Galzo ~ Enjoy traditional music and dance by these extraordinary performers. Noon, 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. - Astor Court 

Alice Farley Dance Theater larger-than-life stiltwalking lemurs ~ See these amazing characters created especially for the Bronx Zoo that will be making the rounds to welcome visitors each weekend. Catch them as they stroll throughout Astor Court 11 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. staggered appearances Storytelling by LuAnn Adams ~ Who can resist the interactive tales that are spun with the help of engaging animal puppets? 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. - Astor Court

Become a lemur ~ Create a lemur mask and take home a momento of the day.
11:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. - Zoo Center Treasure Hunt ~ Madagascar was a famous treasure spot for pirates of the past.
During Discover Madagascar Weekends, kids will have the opportunity to go on a treasure hunt adventure throughout Astor Court.

*Weekends dates are: June 21-22 & June 28-29, July 4-6, July 12-13, July 19-20 & July 26-27
NB: some activities may be limited due to inclement weather or cancelled without notice Mark your calendars: August 18-24  -  Play Week ~ Presented by Fisher-Price & Bank of America

The Bronx Zoo is locations just off the Bronx River Parkway at Fordham Road at Exit 6 and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 5:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays now through November 3, 2008. Adult admission is $15, seniors (65+)
are $13, and $10 for children (3-12 years old), free for children 3 years old and under; and Wednesday is by donation. For directions, upcoming events, group rates, and other wild information, visit online at www.bronxzoo.com.

The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide.  We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo.

Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony.  WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth. Visit: www.wcs.org.