Lions, tigers, and bears, OH MY!
Posted by The Skyliner on September 23rd, 2009Kyra Alexander
Staff Writer
The Greenville Zoo has undergone new construction and has changed its exhibits quite a bit.
“Rated one of the best tourist attractions in South Carolina, the Greenville Zoo is the most visited ‘family facility’ in the Upstate,” the zoo’s Web site says.
This zoo is located on a 10-acre site within Cleveland Park. A typical visit would last from an hour to an hour and 30 minutes.
The first stop in the journey to the zoo is to see everyone’s favorite stop, Ladybird and Joy, the zoo’s elephants.
Moving from there, the primates are next and then the Reptile Building, which houses lizards, frogs, turtles, snakes and much more.
Within all the stops at looking at animals, there are kids’ playgrounds, green scenery, rest stops and picnic areas.
Keeping on the path, the lions and giraffes are next. The lions like to sleep a lot and are usually asleep most of the day.
The giraffes are always on the move and playing around in their big, open area. There is also a water fountain on the side of a building with height markings on it so when a giraffe walks over to get water, you can see how tall it is.
The park moves on to show a number of other animals in their habitats, such as tortoises, leopards, a red panda, a toucan, flamingos, ducks, alligators and many different species of birds.
A new feature is when you pass two of the monkey’s cages, there is something different and exciting to see. There is a sign with the words “Baby on Board.” In these particular cages the mother monkey has just had a baby and they are getting the baby used to being with the mother and father with strange people looking at her/him. The newest addition is Baby Bob in the orangutan cage, with his mother Chelsea.
The last stop to make is to see the farm animals. The zoo has pigs, goats, cows and different types of chickens.
On the way out, the zoo has built a gift shop called the Safari Shop. The Safari Shop offers an array of zoo- themed gifts, t-shirts and toys.
Another change to the zoo and park area is the new shelter rentals and the ability to buy feed for the animals to feed them as you walk through the zoo.
The zoo is open seven days a week, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information about the Greenville Zoo, visit greenvillezoo.com or contact the zoo at 864-467-4300.
Tags: Fall 2009, Vol. 109 - Issue 3