19
January
2017
|
13:22 PM
America/New_York

FREE Community Weekend at ZooAmerica in Hershey, PA

With more than 200 animals from the five regions of North America, ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park in Hershey, PA is as educational as it is fun. The 11-acre walk through Zoo is opening to guests at no charge for their annual Community Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, January 21 and 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

The Zoo is open daily year round and attendance is usually highest during the summer months, but the animals themselves are actually more active in the winter’s colder temperatures. There are two indoor buildings, Southern Swamps and Desert Building, as well. Outdoor exhibits include: Northlands, Eastern Woodlands and Big Sky Country.

Additional animal encounters are scheduled for the free weekend so guests of all ages can ask questions and have an up-close look at some of the Zoo’s residents.

 

ZooAmerica is one of only six zoos in Pennsylvania that are members of the prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Many residents who would not be able to survive in the wild for a number of reasons make their permanent home at the Zoo.

Often animals are found injured or orphaned in the wild and are taken to wildlife rehabilitators. Wildlife rehabilitators provide medical care for the animals but because the animal is injured or has become humanized, it would not be safe to release that animal into the wild. Animals who have been cared for by humans may never be candidates for release once they do not see people as a threat.

The Zoo staff’s mission is to promote public awareness, respect, and appreciation for the natural world. By providing an informative and enjoyable experience, the staff hopes that a visit to ZooAmerica will create a personal connection to nature that inspires people to conservation action and motivates them to take personal responsibility for the health of the planet.

You can learn more about ZooAmerica here.