Press Releases
Wildlife Art Exhibit Opens May 11
April 26, 2012
Inspired by Nature, a collection of wildlife art by Robert Bateman, will open May 11 in Peabody Hall at the Saint Louis Zoo. See press release.
American burying beetle reintroduction
April 24, 2012
Saint Louis Zoo, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Nature Conservancy, Missouri Conservation Department, Announce First-Ever Release of Endangered Burying Beetles in Southwest Missouri. See press release.
Sea Lion Sound to Open June 30, 2012
April 04, 2012
Sea Lion Sound, the Saint Louis Zoo's new sea lion exhibit under construction in the heart of the Zoo, will open on June 30, 2012. It includes salt water pools, underwater viewing, an underwater walk-through tunnel and a new arena for sea lion shows — features that bring visitors nose-to-nose with marine mammals. Construction of the exhibit is now 95 percent complete.
The 1.5-acre sea lion habitat and arena will initially house 11 California sea lions and later will include harbor seals. The sea lions — six now at the Zoo and five coming from SeaWorld® San Antonio — will move into their new habitat this spring. Until the June 30 opening, the animals will be off view so that they can adjust to their new home. Four harbor seals from Storybook Gardens, London, Ontario, are expected to join the sea lions later this summer.
"The ability to see our sea lions so closely, interact with them and learn about them will give visitors the opportunity to form a connection and a new understanding of marine mammals and the need for their conservation," says Dr. Jeffrey P. Bonner, Dana Brown President & CEO of the Saint Louis Zoo.
The new $18 million, 10,400-square-foot Sea Lion Sound offers a naturalistic setting for the animals in a landscape inspired by the Pacific Northwest coast.
A spectacular 35-foot-long underwater viewing tunnel will be the first of its kind for sea lions in North America at the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Family Sea Lion Landing. Visitors will walk through the clear acrylic tunnel to see sea lions swimming all around them. This area also features a spacious, year-round outdoor pool and habitat with varying depths of water, rocky outcroppings and a large underwater viewing window.
The Lichtenstein Sea Lion Arena replaces the Zoo's former sea lion arena, which for 57 years, was home to various animal shows. This new venue features an 811-seat amphitheater for seasonal shows, a large stage, a rock bridge extending into the audience and a high diving platform and slide.
When the exhibit opens on June 30, sea lion shows and animal presentations will be held several times a day. Admission to the First Bank Sea Lion Show will be $4. Admission to Sea Lion Sound exhibit will be free. The former arena closed in fall 2011. There will be no Sea Lion Shows in May or June prior to the exhibit opening.
Construction for Sea Lion sound began in early September 2010 as part of the Zoo's The Living Promise Campaign, a $120-million capital campaign to attract support from individuals, corporations and foundations dedicated to the Zoo's mission.
Named America's #1 Zoo by Zagat Survey and Parenting Magazine, the Saint Louis Zoo is widely recognized for its innovative approaches to animal management, wildlife conservation, research and education. One of the few free zoos in the nation, it attracts about 3,000,000 visitors a year.
Stingrays at Caribbean Cove Featuring Sharks
March 23, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2012
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Saint Louis Zoo 314/781-0900
Susan Gallagher, 314/646-4633
Christy Childs, 314/646-4639
Joanna Bender, 314/646-4703
STINGRAYS AT CARIBBEAN COVE FEATURING SHARKS
OPENS APRIL 20 AT THE SAINT LOUIS ZOO
We're gettin' fishy with it! St. Louis will be rolling in the deep when sharks and stingrays swim back for an encore at the Saint Louis Zoo this season. "Stingrays at Caribbean Cove featuring Sharks" opens on April 20 and runs through September 30, 2012.
It's a season-long pool party like no other in town starring some smooth operators – bonnethead, white-spotted bamboo and nurse sharks, cownose rays, southern stingrays and horseshoe crabs.
Located under a pavilion near Lakeside Cafe, these ocean creatures glide through a 17,000-gallon warm saltwater pool. Guests are encouraged to dip their hands into the water and allow the animals to touch them. Occasionally, there will be an opportunity to feed the stingrays. These are hardy species that interact well with people in a safe and fun manner.
"We're pleased to bring sharks and stingrays back to our visitors this year," said Dr. Jeffrey P. Bonner, Dana Brown president & CEO of the Saint Louis Zoo. "Connecting people with wildlife is an important part of our mission. Not everyone in our part of the world has had the chance to get in touch with ocean life in such a close-up intimate way."
Bonnethead sharks are the smallest members of the hammerhead family. They have a semi-circular head resembling a shovel or bonnet. White-spotted bamboo sharks are known as "cat sharks" because the barbels, or sensory organs, near their mouths resemble cat whiskers. Nurse sharks have stout bodies with smoother skin than most other sharks. They can use their mouths like vacuum cleaners to suck up prey.
The sharks at Stingrays at Caribbean Cove are small, shy and docile fish and pose no danger to humans. They range from two-and-a-half to four feet in length and are bottom-dwelling species that prey on small fish, crabs and invertebrates. Visitors will not be feeding the sharks, but occasionally they may have an opportunity to be touched briefly by a shark as it swims by.
Cownose rays and southern stingrays are related to sharks. They have a flat body, long pointed fins and long whip-like tails that can be used for defense against predators. At Stingrays at Caribbean Cove, their stingers or barbs are painlessly trimmed back just as fingernails are clipped. Staff at the exhibit will monitor the stingrays throughout the season to ensure no stingers exist.
Along for the swim are horseshoe crabs, which are more closely related to spiders and scorpions than to true crabs. The horseshoe crab is a living fossil. It has been on the earth for 220 million years, longer than dinosaurs, and it survives today almost identical to its ancient ancestors.
The 20-inch deep pool includes a waterfall and a state-of-the-art life support system. The pool also has solitary space and places for the animals to rest if they choose.
Zoo interpreters and educators will be on hand to help visitors and to share information about the animals, sustainable seafood and ocean conservation.
Tropical Traders Gift Shop will offer a variety of ocean-related souvenirs, including plush stingrays and other sea life items, shark merchandise, T-shirts, tropical attire, nautical gifts and more.
Ray's Grill will serve up fish and chips, fajitas, island burgers and more. Margaritas, piña coladas, daiquiris and beer (with or without alcohol) will also be available.
The Zoo's Education Department is planning several programs for children and adults throughout the summer. Some programs include A Day With the Rays, Wake Up With the Rays, Family and Scout Overnights, Camp KangaZoo and more. To register for programs, visit www.stlzoo.org/education or call (314) 646-4544.
Admission
Admission to Stingrays at Caribbean Cove is $3 for the general public and $1.50 for Zoo Friends members. Members at the Family Level and up may use their Anywhere Plus passes for admission. Children under 2 are free. Admission is free the first hour the Zoo is open. Stingray feedings are $1.00 per cup. Groups of 15 or more may call (314) 781-0900, ext. 4709 in advance for group discounts.
Hours
Stingrays at Caribbean Cove will be open April 20 through September 30, 2012, during Zoo hours.
The Zoo's spring hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through May 24.
Beginning May 25 through September 3, 2012, the Zoo is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday for North Star Summer Zoo Weekends.
The Zoo will be open until 7 p.m. on Memorial Day and Labor Day. The Zoo will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 15, because of A Zoo Ado, the Zoo's major fundraiser. Starting September 4, the Zoo's hours return to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
More Information
For more information, visit www.stlzoo.org, www.facebook.com/stlzoo, www.twitter.com/stlzoo, www.youtube.com/stlzootube or call (314) 781-0900.
About Living Exhibits
Animal and veterinary care for the stingrays is supervised by a full-time exhibit supervisor and an assistant exhibit supervisor from Living Exhibits, a Las Vegas-based corporation that produces and manages interactive exhibits for zoos, aquariums and museums.
Saint Louis Zoo Association Agrees to Conditional Contract to Purchase Forest Park Hospital Property
March 12, 2012
The Saint Louis Zoo Association on March 8 signed a conditional contract with Medline Industries, Inc., to purchase Medline’s 13.5-acre Forest Park Hospital site at 6150 Oakland Ave. in the city of St. Louis. The price and contract terms were not disclosed. Based in Mundelein, Ill., Medline is the largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of health care supplies in the United States.
See press kit materials for full description.
Feb. 27 is International Polar Bear Day
February 27, 2012
The Saint Louis Zoo is observing International Polar Bear Day on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 by dropping its thermostat setting by two degrees in nine administrative and support buildings that do not house animals but serve as offices and workspaces for more than 150 of the Zoo’s 300 permanent employees. The Zoo is encouraging its employees and the public to turn down their thermostats and bundle up to save energy.
Saint Louis Zoo Launches Institute for Conservation Medicine
September 19, 2011
ST. LOUIS, Missouri, September 19, 2011 -- A leader in wildlife conservation medicine for the past 20 years, the Saint Louis Zoo will establish an Institute for Conservation Medicine and take its conservation work to a new level, it was announced today. The Institute will focus its research on diseases known to affect threatened and endangered wildlife, as well as how disease relates to domestic animals and public health.