Day Trip: Zoo and improved – Niabi adds new attractions

COAL VALLEY – Visitors to Niabi Zoo will find some changes this summer – changes for the better.

“We’ve got a lot of new things going on at the zoo this season,” Interim Director Dan Meates said. “We’re very excited for visitors to see our new animal families – not only because it gives guests a chance to view these magnificent creatures in person, but because it gives us the ability to further educate the public about the threats these species face in the wild.”

Among the new arrivals are an amur leopard, three slender-tailed meerkats and a breeding pair of red wolves.

Joining the meerkats in a mixed species exhibit is a female African crested porcupine. Their habitat is similar to the rocky areas of Africa, which the meerkats call home. Beneath the exhibit is an observation tunnel.

"Visitors can go into a cave under the rockwork to view the meerkats in their underground tunnels," Meates said. "They stand about
2 feet off the ground, so this exhibit was built for the ultimate kid experience."

Also new is another gift shop, this one in the meerkat building. Giraffe feeding and train tickets are sold there, as well as zoo items.

Old favorites, such as Zookeeper Chats, return – at noon for camels and 3 p.m. reptile feeding on Sunday; noon for amphibians and 3 p.m. red wolves for Monday; noon for gibbons and
3 p.m. Eurasian eagle owl on Tuesday; amur leopard at noon and 3 p.m. for ostriches on Wednesday; noon for fennec fox and 3 p.m. for bald eagles on Thursdays; meerkats at noon, lions at 3 on Fridays; giraffes at noon, colobus monkeys at 3 on Saturdays; and snakes at 1 p.m. the first Saturday of the month.

Other attractions are the Niabi Zoo Express, which leaves the station every 15 minutes. The cost to ride is $2 for ages 1 and older. Or climb on the Endangered Species Carousel, which seats about 45. The cost is $2 per rider (one parent can ride with a paying child at no extra cost).

Additional events are $2 for a nectar feeding cup at Lorikeet Landing, $4 pony rides for children 85 pounds or less and $4 for giraffe feedings at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Early birds can try the 8:30 a.m. breakfast with the animals, offered 3 days this summer: June 25 with giraffes, July 16 with monkeys and Aug. 6 with reptiles. Registration is required by the Wednesday before the meal. Email jroderick@niabizoo.com or call 309-799-3482, ext. 222 to sign up. The cost is $22 for 2 and older. A
9:30 a.m. program is included.

Checking out the new and familiar at Niabi is a good way to enjoy a warm day.