The Chattanooga Zoo is celebrating the arrival of springtime with a variety of new educational events and adding more offerings to the Zoo’s already existing programs. From the first-ever Birthday Bash to adding more keeper chats and animal shows, spring at the Zoo will soon be in full bloom.
This Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. the Zoo will have a Birthday Bash celebration. "Come join the fun as we celebrate all our animals with spring birthdays this Saturday. Between the games, crafts, and laughter, guests will have the chance to 'Live Life a lil’ Sweeter' while tasting some delicious local birthday treats provided by our Birthday Bash sponsor, Cupcake Kitchen. Guests will also enjoy watching our animals open their birthday gifts. A 10% off discount on all merchandise will be offered in the Zoo Gift Shop in honor of our spring born animals,"officials said. All Zoo Birthday Bash activities are free with regular Zoo admission.
On March 21 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., the Chattanooga Zoo’s Teddy Bear Clinic will be open for regular teddy bear checkups. "Bring your teddy bear, or your favorite plush animal, to the Chattanooga Zoo for their yearly checkup by a real veterinarian. The Teddy Bear Check Up will give guests the opportunity to participate in a real demonstration of a routine physical exam of their plush animal, learn how to better care for their pets at home, and learn how we care for our animals here at the Zoo. The routine checkups will be demonstrated by our Teddy Bear Check Up sponsors, the veterinarians and staff of the Northgate Animal Hospital. If you forget your plush animal at home, be sure to pick one up in the Zoo Gift shop for 10% off," officials said. All Teddy Bear Check Up activities are free with regular Zoo admission.
On April 22 from noon-4 p.m. the Zoo will celebrate Earth Day. "We invite all aspiring conservationist to come learn how to they can help save the earth and the animals that inhabit it," officials said. Guests will learn sustainable habits and unique ways to recycle through multiple education stations throughout the Zoo. The Master Gardeners of Hamilton County, the Chattanooga Zoo’s Earth Day sponsor, will also be conducting a planting station. Guests will have the opportunity to plant a flower to take home, learn the best ways to care for the plant, and learn the importance of native plants to the area. All Earth Day activities are free with regular Zoo admission.
The Chattanooga Zoo’s first Enrichment Day of the year will be April 25 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. "Come and learn all about animal enrichment-what is it, why is it important, and how often do animals receive it. Enrichment Day guests will experience enrichment like never before," officials said. Guests will have the chance to create a variety of different types of animal enrichment, enjoy watching the animals enjoy their enrichment, and learn more at the Animal Enrichment Show held in the Zoo’s Education Center at 2 p.m. Enrichment day is free with regular Zoo admission. All those who bring in an enrichment item off the Zoo’s wish list will receive $1 off their Zoo admission price. To view the Chattanooga Zoo’s wish list, please visit www.chattzoo.org/support/wish-list.
In addition to the springtime events, the Zoo has added even more Keeper Chats and Animal Shows for this season. "Through Keeper Chats and Animal Shows, Zoo guests are able to get up close to their favorite animals, learn all about them and how they are cared for, and how we work to save them in the wild,"officials said. To learn more about the Chattanooga Zoo’s Keeper Chats please visit www.chattzoo.org/visit/chats, and visit www.chattzoo.org/visit/zoo-tours-and-shows to learn more about Animal Shows.
To keep the springtime fun going, the Zoo’s camel rides will now be offered five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, along with the Zoo Choo Train and Carousel rides that are offered seven days a week. All Zoo rides are an additional cost to regular Zoo admission. To learn more about Zoo Rides, please visit www.chattzoo.org/visit/zoo-rides.