Toronto Zoo Weekly Feature - Wednesday, 2013-08-14

JOIN US ON THURSDAY AUGUST 15TH AS THE TORONTO ZOO  CELEBRATES ITS 39th BIRTHDAY! The Toronto Zoo open its doors to the public on August 15,1974. Over the last 39 years the Toronto Zoo has become a World Class Zoo and Canada's premier Zoo welcoming over 1.3 million visitors a year.  It is the home of over 6,000 animals, and inspires people to love, respect and protect wildlife and wild spaces daily. DID YOU KNOW: The Toronto Zoo was originally the Riverdale Zoo which opened in 1888? To find out more fun and exciting information about the Toronto Zoo's history and milestones CLICK HERE ! Join us at the Front Entrance Courtyard from 11:00am to 3:30pm as the "The White Caps Jazz Ensemble" from the Royal Canadian Navy's (RCN) Her Majesty's Commissioned Ship (HMCS) YORK conducts a special performance in celebration of the Zoo's Birthday!  The Birthday Celebrations Continue...   "Ginetta", our female Masai giraffe turns 30! What do you get a giraffe on their birthday? A gelatin birthday cake with carrots, apples and browse of course! Join us today at 2:00pm at the Masai Giraffe exhibit as the keepers give "Ginetta" her giraffe size special birthday cake!
UPCOMING EVENTS:   Saturday August 24 & Saturday August 25 Orangutan Awareness Weekend Did you know? The Toronto Zoo is the only Zoo in Canada with Sumatran orangutans! Check out an orangutan enrichment interpretive station, artifacts, and artwork painted by one of our talented orangutans. Take part in the sealed-bid auction for your chance to win a number of prizes, including a one-year Membership to the Toronto Zoo, orangutan art and more!Join us for a special Orangutan Keeper Talk at 1:00pm daily and find out how YOU can commit to conservation efforts to help the extremely endangered Sumatran orangutans.   Monday September 9 Seniors Day The Toronto Zoo loves Seniors, so on September 9th Seniors, 65+, will receive one complimentary admission and one Zoomobile ride all day pass, 10% off at the our Zootique and Panda Shops and 50% off Toronto Zoo a One Year Senior Membership*. While here don't forget to visit our Panda Interpretive Centre as well as Er Shun and Da Mao our two adorable giant panda pair! Please note that the first Zoomobile departs from the main front entrance station at 9:15am and the last Zoomobile of the day departs at 5:30pm. Event subject to change without notice.		MEDIA INFORMATION:   2013 Year Round Volunteer Recruitment Drive NOW Open! Join our active and outgoing team of adult Year-Round Volunteers connecting kids and families to nature, educating and inspiring others, promoting wildlife conservation, and supporting the Zoo's special events program. Weekday Volunteers: lead curriculum-based school tours on the Zoo site. French language skills are an asset. Weekend Volunteers: assist at special events and interact with visitors at educational stations throughout the Zoo. Please note: Zoo Volunteers do no handle our plants or animals. 2013 deadline for applications is Friday September 20.   Toronto Zoo Launches Mobile Giving in Support of Conservation! In conjunction with Er Shun's 6th Birthday Celebrations, the Toronto Zoo launches Mobile Giving this week. Making a $5.00 donation to support conservation at the Toronto Zoo is an easy as texting ZOOPANDA to 41010. A one-time donation will be added to the donor's mobile phone bill. Call #416-392-9105 for more information!   Adopt-an-Animal - SPECIAL $100 PANDA PACKAGE! Here's what you get: · A sweet, plush Panda bear PLUS · Adoption certificate featuring Er Shun or Da Mao · Animal "parent's" name on our Parents Board wall · An invitation for the panda "parent" and a guest to attend Parents Day* (a free day at the Zoo!). Panda fact sheet and Newsletters AND (and this is the best part) Panda "parent's" name entered into our draw for a chance to win a VIP Behind the Scene tour for six guests. Order your PANDA PACKAGE today. Don't miss out...this is a limited offer. JOKE OF THE WEEK: - Why did the lamb cross the road? - To get to the baaaaaarber shop!
Looking to add some adventure to your next Corporate Event? Why not bring your herd to the wildest venue in town-The Toronto Zoo. CLICK HERE for full details on our extensive Corporate Events Package or to book your event today!   Find us on Facebook!   ZOO HOURS Current Zoo Hours: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, daily. Last admissions one hour before closing. The Toronto Zoo is open year round (except Dec. 25th).   ADMISSION FEES General Admission (13-64 incl): $28 Seniors (65+): $23 Children (3-12): $18 Children (2 and under): FREE Prices include tax as applicable Parking is $10   For more information, contact Lesley Dean at (416) 392-5939. Events and admission prices subject to change without notice. For general information visit torontozoo.com. Toronto Zoo is accredited by CAZA (Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums). Look for this logo whenever you visit a Canadian zoo as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. For more information, visit caza.ca.