ST. LOUIS ZOO ANNOUNCES NEW SUMMER HOURS, FREE HOURS

(Scanews) During summer months, beginning May 23 through September 1, the St. Louis Zoo will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week, it was announced today.  In the past, the Zoo's regular hours have been 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with several late-hour evenings each week during the summer.

"We want to make the St. Louis Zoo as accessible as can be for our visitors," says Dr. Jeffrey Bonner, president of the Zoo.  "We think Penguin & Puffin Coast, our spectacular new exhibit for seagoing birds, and our new Carousel will be very popular this summer.  We want as many visitors as possible to enjoy these unique experiences," he adds.

Penguin & Puffin Coast is set to open to the public on May 23 at 12 noon.  Visitors will walk through a habitat of rocky coastlines and underwater viewing of seagoing birds from the Southern and Northern hemispheres.  Admission to Penguin & Puffin Coast is free.

Also opening at the Zoo that week will be the Mary Ann Lee Conservation Carousel.  The Zoo's new ride has 64 colorful, hand-carved animals, representing protected and endangered species at the St. Louis Zoo.  A Carousel ticket is $2.00.
 
Free Hours
Bonner has also announced new free hours for some of the St. Louis Zoo attractions.  The Carousel, Emerson Children's Zoo and Monsanto Insectarium will all be free from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. this summer.

Hardee's Summer Zoo Evenings
Hardee's Summer Zoo Evenings will extend the St. Louis Zoo experience until 7p.m. each night during the summer season through September 1.  (Note: On June 12, June 13, August 13 and August 28, the Zoo will close at 5 p.m.)

Special activities will be scheduled throughout the summer:

Fridays
Look for "Plaza Performances" from local groups at the Zoo's South Entrance between 5 and 7 p.m.

Saturdays
Children can participate in an animal enrichment activity from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at various spots.  Enrichment activities give Zoo animals interesting, stimulating ways to perform natural behaviors. 

Tuesdays 
The perennially popular Duck Derby takes place, starting at 7 p.m. at the South Entrance.  There's fun for the family, with music and dancing.  Kids can sponsor a rubber ducky for $1.00 (or six ducks for five bucks) to race over the 15-foot waterfall.  Duck Derby is sponsored by North Star Frozen Treats.

Summer Zoo Evenings are sponsored by Hardee's with support from 104.1 The Mall, KHITS 96 and Talk FM-97.1.  Admission to the St. Louis Zoo is free.