FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: September 8, 2008
Contact: Debbie Rios-Vanskike
Phone: 734-7184, ext. 1043
Email: dvanskike@sazoo-aq.org

THE EXPEDITION CONTINUES WITH AFRICA LIVE! PHASE II

San Antonio, TX – The San Antonio Zoo broke ground for Africa Live! Phase II Thursday, July 24.! Africa Live! Phase II is scheduled to open in late 2009.

The story of Africa continues with Phase II, as guests walk through an amazing aviary filled with arching trees and birds of practically every color and variety. Colobus monkeys will fly past overhead as they perform their tree-to-tree aerial acrobatic leaps. As you continue along the trail, guests will see the mysterious okapi. With its long exaggerated neck and short stout body, the okapi is called the “forest giraffe.”

The forest thins as guests arrive at a barrier of intertwined branches. Called a “kraal” or a “boma,” a livestock enclosure used by African tribes to protect their livestock. A termite mound is set among the thinning thorny trees and scrub, with a mongoose poking its head out from the ventilation shafts in the mound. Just past some shrubbery is another even larger termite mound that guests can actually go inside. Peeking through an opening in the termite mound is the seemingly painted pattern of hunting dogs. Guests will practically be face-to-face with the pack. Small hyrax bounce delicately amongst the rock formations, while monitor lizards lie in the crevices of the rock face and Pygmy falcons fly overhead.

Moving up the hill will be a rest area, located on a near-vertical slope at the edge of the savanna overlooking the river valley and forest below. Visitors will enjoy delicious food from the Baraza Café, as the elusive okapi sneaks their way through the forest and the familiar grunting of hippos in the river is heard.

Join us as we begin this incredible 16-month construction journey. Watch as the expedition continues as Africa Live! Phase II unfolds at YOUR San Antonio Zoo.

For more information, please call Debbie Rios Vanskike at the number above.

The San Antonio Zoo is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the highest standard of care for the animal and plant collections while offering a recreational and educational experience for our many visitors.  The Zoo is accredited by the Associations of Zoos and Aquariums and is open 365 days a year.  Gates open at 9 am and close at 5 pm and the grounds remain open until 6 pm.  Admission for children ages 3 – 11 is $7.  Admission for visitors ages 12 and older is $9.  Seniors
over the age of 62 pay a discounted rate of $7 and children two and younger are free.

Photos courtesy of the San Antonio Zoo.