Free Senior Day at the Abilene Zoo

The Abilene Zoo will host its first Senior Citizen's Day on Monday, Aug. 22, with free admission and activities for everyone 60 and older.

.  “People never outgrow the need to enjoy nature,” said Executive Director Bill Gersonde. “If anything, people grow a greater appreciation for plants and animals through the years. This will be their special day to enjoy the zoo.”

The zoo, Abilene Regional Medical Center and Wisteria Place Retirement Living are providing refreshments, while Abilene’s Mike Schuler, The Piano Man, will tickle the ivories from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Senior citizens also will get a discount on food and drinks at the Watering Hole.

Even better, the animal staff has created a full slate of animal activities: 10 a.m.–Reptile encounter in the Reptile House.  11 a.m. – Spider Monkey Keeper Chat. Noon - Animal encounter in front of Bird Gardens. 1 p.m. – Raven Encounter at Bird Gardens. 2 p.m. Colobus Monkey Keeper Chat.

Seniors also can enjoy $1 unlimited rides on the Safari Express, so folks who can’t hoof it around the park can still enjoy a zoo tour.

The Safari Express is wheelchair accessible, and the zoo also has wheelchairs available for rent in the Zoo Store. About the Abilene Zoo: Since its founding in 1966, the Abilene Zoo has stood as a place of learning and adventure, where visitors make memories, share the joy of discovery and become inspired to preserve wildlife. Situated on 16 acres in the award-winning Grover Nelson Park, the zoo has more than 1000 animals of 270 species from around the globe.

The zoo is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Last admittance is 4 p.m. The zoo is open until 9 p.m. each Thursday all summer, with last admittance at 8 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults, $4.50 for children ages 3-12, $6 for seniors aged 60 and older. Members are admitted free. www.abilenezoo.org. 325-676-6085.  Be sure to check out our NEW Giraffe Cam live feed: http://abilenezoo.org/animals-exhibits/giraffe-safari/
All Giraffe! All Day! (OK, and some guinea fowl flitting about, too.)