Oregon Zoo Extends Hours and Hosts Special Events For Summer Season
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Saturday, May 23, 2015
Kemea Smith, GoLocalPDX Contributor
Kamaria, a milky eagle owl, can be seen at the “Wildlife Live” show. Photo Credit: Michael Durham
The
Oregon Zoo is kicking off summer with longer hours and seasonal special events.
Longer hours begin Saturday, May 23rd and zoo gates will open at 9 am and close at 6 pm. Visitors may remain on grounds until 7 pm.
On Memorial Day, the zoo will be offering free admission for military veterans, active military personnel, and the family members who come with them to the zoo. Visitors must show military or veteran organization ID, discharge papers or other official military identification; families of deployed military personnel must show an active duty ID.
Other seasonal special events include the zoo’s popular Wildlife Live Program beginning June 13th, and The Insect Zoo exhibit opening this summer.
Don’t forget the zoo’s summer concert series which will begin with Chicago on June 21st and ends Labor Day weekend with sold-out shows by “Weird Al” Yankovic. Other musicians coming to the zoo include new wave group B-52s, reggae superstar Ziggy Marley, and country legend Emmylou Harris.
Available free for zoo members is Sunset at the Zoo. The events take place every other Wednesday starting July 8th and give families the chance to see animals that are more active during the evening time. Also enjoy live music, family friendly activities, and a variety of al fresco dining opportunities.
Last but not least is Zoolala, a gala fundraiser where attendees can taste delicious local meals and dance under the stars.
General zoo admission is $11.50 (ages 12-64), $10 for seniors (65 and up), $8.50 for children (ages 3-11) and free for those 2 and younger. For more information about the Zoo and summer events, click HERE.
Related Slideshow: Nine Invasive Species Horror Stories At The Oregon Zoo
In honor of National Invasive Species Awareness Week the Oregon Zoo speaks to GoLocalPDX, to find out more about invasive species problems.
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Burmese Python
The over 20 feet pythons are Southeast Asia natives who established themselves in the Florida Everglades as escaped or released pets. These hypercarnivorous are a threat to native wildlife, because they eat anything they encounter- even alligators! Visit the hard-to-care-for mega-reptiles exhibit at the Oregon Zoo, to get a good look at these pythons.
Photo Credit: Oregon Zoo (image cropped)
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Red-Eared Slider
Red-Eared Slider’s are indigenous to the south central United States. These turtles are usually set free once owners grow tired of caring for them. They end up competing with native turtles, spreading parasites and disease. Help scientists track alien invaders by reporting turtle sightings on oregonturtles.com.
Photo Credit: Oregon Zoo (image cropped)
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American Bullfrog
Bullfrogs are native to the easter United States and threaten local wildlife when they escape from frog leg farms. In the Northwest region bullfrogs target western pond turtles and Oregon spotted frogs. The Oregon Zoo is currently working to improve the health of spotted frogs and pond turtles.
Find out how to support the zoo’s efforts through Wildlife Partners.
Photo Credit: Oregon Zoo (image cropped)
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Veiled Chameleon
These Arabian reptiles are hiding specialist, popular as pets, fast reproducers, and ravenous hunters. These chameleons have become a problem for native wildlife in Hawaii, as state law bans importing and transporting a variety of exotic reptiles. Basically it is better for the animal and environment, to avoid releasing any pet into the wild.
Photo Credit: Oregon Zoo (image cropped)
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Nutria (and Beaver)
The South American transplants have caused damage throughout the United States by eroding stream banks. You can see these large rodents in local natural areas like Smith and Bybee Wetlands.
The beaver is a invasive species in Patagonia where trees can’t continue to live once bitten or flooded. You can help protect wetland habitats by becoming a natural area site steward.
Photo Credit: Oregon Zoo (image cropped)
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Rainbow Trout
The Rainbow Trout is one of the most popular hatchery fish in the United States and internationally, because it adapts to hatchery environments. Native to the Pacific states of the United States, the trout is immune to diseases and produces thousands of eggs at a young age.
Photo Credit: Oregon Zoo (image cropped)
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Nile Monitor
These creepy dragon looking lizards are native to Africa but have been seen in Florida’s West Palm Beach. They are good swimmers and can grow up to seven feet in length. They are often not recommend as pets because they are high maintenance. You can see these fascinating lizards at the Oregon Zoo.
Photo Credit: Oregon Zoo (image cropped)
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African Rock Python
The African Rock Python is Africa’s largest snake at 20-foot-long. The dangerous pythons have attacked and killed people in the past. The pythons constrict their prey because they lack venom. They python has also been colonizing in the United States in suburban Miami.
Photo Credit: Oregon Zoo (image cropped)
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Rabbit
The long floppy eared animal is a invasive species to Australia, as they are fruitful breeders. They also greedy eaters eating roots, tree bark, and leaves which are low in nutritional value. This is why they often reingest their feces to get extra nutritional value.
Photo Credit: Oregon Zoo (image cropped)
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