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N.C. ZOO SETS ATTENDANCE MARK
BY: Rod HackneyMay. 28, 2008
ASHEBORO—Spurred by publicity over a new exhibit, gasoline prices that are keeping travelers closer to home and idyllic weather, the North Carolina Zoo set a new attendance record over the Memorial Day weekend.
Last weekend’s three-day total of 32,732 visitors shattered the previous Memorial weekend record of 25,806 set in May 2005. Zoo officials believe media coverage of the new Watani Grasslands Reserve, along with record gasoline prices and near perfect weather, combined to bring record numbers to the park. The Watani Grasslands Reserve is an $8.5 million expansion and renovation of the zoo’s elephant and rhinoceros exhibits and holding facilities. The new elephant/rhino complex was unveiled in April.
The zoo is located on Zoo Parkway (N.C. 159) six miles southeast of Asheboro off U.S. 220 and U.S. 64. Hours from April through September are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for children 2-12 and $8 for senior citizens 62-plus and college students. For information, call 1-800-4888-0444 or visit the zoo Web site at www.nczoo.org
The zoo is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr., Secretary, Michael F. Easley, Governor.