More than 140,000 people visit Idaho Falls Zoo this season
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The following is a news release and photo from the city of Idaho Falls.
IDAHO FALLS — Having seen more than 140,000 visitors over the course of the year, the Idaho Falls Zoo is now closed for the season and will reopen in April 2020.
However, education programs for all ages are still held each month and the addition of improvements like the new William J. Maeck Education Center make plans for future growth and continued enhancement of the zoo possible.
“It’s a very exciting time for the zoo,” states Zoo Director David Pennock. “Thanks to our community, your zoo grows and gets better each year.”
Once again Idaho Falls Zoo’s nineteenth annual Boo at the Zoo proved its popularity as one of the largest events in eastern Idaho. Over 13,000 people attended the three-day event and over 650 people attended Zoo Lights. Despite the record-breaking cold weather, thousands of zoo supporters turned out to attend the community events.
“We once again added more space, more vendors, new displays and a better online ticket purchase process to improve the Boo at the Zoo experience,” says Laurie Gravatt, Tautphaus Park Zoological Society membership coordinator. “This amazing event is only possible because of nearly four months of hard work by zoo staff as well as zoo and community volunteers that make the five days of events possible.”
The proceeds from the event go back to support projects at the zoo. This year’s revenues will go toward the construction of a much-needed new entrance and gift shop which the zoo staff hopes to break ground on within the next five years.
This year, the zoo’s education department will offer programs for kids during Thanksgiving, winter, and spring breaks. Also, a new event, “Santa and Friends,” will be hosted by the zoo and Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Department in the zoo’s education center in early December.
This fun new event will replace Breakfast with Santa and allow the public to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and meet some of the zoo’s animal family up-close.
Click here for more information on the zoo’s education programs, Santa and Friends, and the outreach program known as the “Zoomobile,” which brings animals to schools, nursing homes, and other education facilities.
Even while closed, you can keep up with the Idaho Falls Zoo on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
“We just can’t thank the community and out-of-town guests enough for their wonderful support of the ‘best little zoo in the west,” states Pennock. “Plus, we can’t wait for you to see what we have in store for next season.”