A day at Alexandria Zoo is one of the most fun and affordable ways to connect with nature and spend time with friends and family.  From renovation projects to baby animals to upcoming events, fall is a great time to rediscover Alexandria Zoo!

RENOVATIONS

A zoo is never finished!  Alexandria Zoo is hard at work making improvements for both our guests and the animals in our care.  Habitats for the tayra, bush dog, and bobcat are currently being renovated.

As an AZA accredited facility, Alexandria Zoo maintains the highest standards for animal care, and strives to continually improve animal welfare and husbandry.  The renovation of the tayra and bush dog habitats, built in the early 1970’s, will expand the animals’ outdoor space and incorporate new den areas.  The bobcat habitat, constructed in 1998, is undergoing a complete restoration.  All animals except the tayra will remain viewable through the duration of the renovation.

At the center of many zoo events and activities, the Festival Plaza has been the setting for fantastic live music and interactive education programs.  The performing stage has been updated with a new coat of paint and lighting, and the Zoo will also be adding a new sound system soon.

The City of Alexandria has completed a new parking lot on Masonic Drive across from the Zoo.  The area will add much needed additional parking for all recreational facilities along the street.

OH, BABY!

Alexandria Zoo is hog wild about its newest arrivals!  Red river hogs, Hagrid and Rosie, welcomed five new additions on September 11th.  The precious piglets are being well cared for by their extremely attentive first-time parents.

Red river hogs are known by their beautiful red hair and long tufts of white hair along the back and on the ears. Piglets are born with yellow stripes along the back and sides of the body, which helps them blend into their environment.  Also called bush pigs, these gorgeous hogs live in central and southern Africa. They prefer to live in wet habitats, roaming in forest and swamp areas, and wherever protection from predators is available.  The playful piglets may be seen with their parents in their habitat, located near the Palm Cafe.

Red river hogs are not the only births Alexandria Zoo has had the privilege of celebrating this year.  On February 28th, Alexandria Zoo welcomed three “otterly” adorable additions.  Mack and Emmy, the Zoo’s North American river otters, became parents to their second litter.

The pups—Fern, Sedge, and Reed—spent their first few weeks behind-the-scenes with mom, Emmy.  At birth, otter pups are born with their eyes closed and are completely dependent on their mother.  All three pups, plus Mack and Emmy, can be found in Louisiana Habitat next to the Cajun Cabin.

Alexandria Zoo participates in the Species Survival Plan for over 50 species, including the red river hog and North American river otter.  Through these programs, AZA (Association of Zoos & Aquariums) accredited zoos and aquariums work together to save threatened and endangered species.

FOUR NIGHTS OF SPOOKTACULAR FUN

Put on your favorite family-friendly costume and set out on a trick-or-treat safari!  Zoo Boo, Cenla’s biggest family-friendly Halloween party, is back at Alexandria Zoo for four nights over two spooktacular weekends.  Zoo Boo, Alexandria Zoo’s merry-not-scary Halloween event, is slated for October 18th, 19th, 25th and 26h from 5:30pm to 8:00pm.

For almost 40 years, Alexandria Zoo’s Zoo Boo has provided our community with a safe family-friendly Halloween experience.  The wickedly fun celebration begins along the Shutterbug Trail when you enter the Zoo.  You’ll meet many of your favorite movie and storybook characters at boo-tiful themed photo ops.

At the Festival Plaza, discover a fresh spin on interactive kids’ activities that will have you howling with excitement.  Test your skills on the agility course, snap a photo with pet and barnyard characters, and enjoy games and activities.  All Festival Plaza area activities can be enjoyed in any order and at your own pace.

When you’re ready for the sweets and treats, pick up a treat bag and head down Trick-or-Treat Lane, which leads through the rest of the Zoo to the exit.  Children 12 years and younger can gather up goodies as you travel from station to station.  Guests of all ages will receive a soft drink courtesy of Coca-Cola of Alexandria.

Admission is $7.00 per person, ages one and older (cash only). Since Zoo Boo is the Zoo’s largest fundraising event, FOTAZ memberships and other zoo passes are not accepted.  Tickets cannot be purchased in advance.

SEE THE ZOO IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT

Create wonderful holiday memories with a casual stroll through the Zoo’s colorful environment sparkling with thousands of lights and whimsical lighted animal figures.  Holiday Light Safari is December 5th-7th, 12th-14th, 19th-21st and 26th-28th (every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) from 5:30pm to 8:30pm.

Hop aboard the Holiday Express Train for a merry ride with holiday music to see even more lights and displays.  Share your wish list with Santa through December 23rd, and stop by Atwood’s Merry Creations to decorate a sugar cookie and make a craft.  There will also be music performances on select evenings, tasty treats available for purchase and plenty of opportunities for holiday shopping.  No matter what the weather brings, the Zoo has the perfect forecast for festive fun this holiday season!

ZOO MORE GOOD

Friends of the of the Alexandria Zoo (FOTAZ) memberships save more than money.  Did you know that $5.00 of every membership goes to our conservation efforts? As members, you are our partners in protecting wildlife and wild places.

On behalf of Alexandria Zoo, FOTAZ contributes thousands of dollars each year to field conservation efforts around the globe.  In Latin America, FOTAZ supports select Zoo Conservation Outreach Group (ZCOG) field partnerships each year.  ZCOG promotes wildlife and habitat conservation by developing conservation leadership capacity in Latin American zoological institutions and providing direct technical, material, and financial support to collaborative, zoo and aquarium-based conservation programs.  Species include the jaguar, Andean bear, Andean condor, Chilean flamingo, giant anteater, maned wolf and Brazilian tapir.

Through FOTAZ, the Zoo also supports conservation efforts in Asia, Africa, and North America, including the Tiger Conservation Campaign and Lion Recovery Fund.  The Tiger Conservation Campaign is coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Tiger Species Survival Plan and supports projects that benefit wild Amur, Malayan, and Sumatran tigers.  The Lion Recovery Fund’s goal is to double the number of lions by 2050 by targeting protected landscapes so that they are resourced and managed to help lions, their habitats and prey, and people thrive.

For one low price, FOTAZ members enjoy free regular daytime admission to Alexandria Zoo for one year.  Members also receive special discounted pricing on select Zoo events, classes, birthday parties, Zootique purchases, and more, along with free or discounted admission to over 100 other zoos and aquariums nationwide. By becoming a member of FOTAZ, you’ll be helping the Alexandria Zoo and wildlife while making wonderful family memories that will last a lifetime!