Sareeka, one of our two Bengal Tigers enjoys a dip in her pool. There used to be 9 different tiger species in the world but thee became extinct in the past 70 years. The remaining 6 species (Amur, Bengal, Indochinese, Malayan, South China, and Sumatran) are all endangered.

 

This image was taken by Zoo photographer Amiee Stubbs (www.amieestubbs.com).

Silver Stars Scheduled to Provide Musical Entertainment

HealthSpring and the Nashville Zoo announced today they will present the eighth Senior Day at the Zoo to allow seniors ages 65 and older free admission to the Zoo on Friday, May 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Additionally, seniors will receive a $3 coupon that can be used for purchases at the Zoo’s food and retail locations.

The young and young-at-heart can also enjoy rides on the Wild Animal Carousel, visits to Lorikeet Landing and an adventure through the Zoo’s limited engagement exhibit, DinoTrek (additional fees apply). Visitors will have an opportunity to enjoy games, prizes, entertainment and attend informational sessions. Zoo keepers will also be on hand to present educational talks at various animal exhibits throughout the day.

“HealthSpring is very pleased to once again offer seniors a chance to experience a free day at the Nashville Zoo,” said Greg Allen, president of HealthSpring of Tennessee.  “We are always looking for ways to support both the community and our members; this great event achieves that aim by encouraging seniors to be healthy and active by enjoying the sights of our local Zoo.”

Guests will be treated to a rousing performance featuring HealthSpring Silver Stars at a concert from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Jungle Terrace. Performing on Senior Day at the Zoo will be trumpeter David Balph, 2011 Silver Star winner, and blues/gospel singer and guitarist Rev. Robert Shipp, 2010 Silver Star winner. Silver Stars is a talent competition designed by HealthSpring specifically for people age 60+ (www.hssilver.stars). Information about the 2012 Silver Stars talent competition will be available at a booth at the Zoo.

A free “Basics of Medicare” educational seminar will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Croft Building. Additionally, seniors will be able to obtain information about other relevant health topics at designated booths onsite.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with HealthSpring to offer Senior Day at the Zoo,” says Jim Bartoo, marketing and public relations director for Nashville Zoo. “A day at the Zoo is enjoyable for people of all ages, and this is a great opportunity to share all the Zoo has to offer with Nashville’s valued senior community.”

Senior Day at the Zoo is the result of a partnership between Nashville Zoo and HealthSpring.  There is a $5 parking fee per vehicle.

HealthSpring, a Cigna company, is based in Nashville, Tennessee, and is one of the country’s largest Medicare Advantage coordinated care plans. HealthSpring currently owns and operates Medicare Advantage plans in Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. HealthSpring also offers a national stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan.  For more information, visit www.healthspring.com.

Nashville Zoo is accredited by the prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums, assuring the highest standards of animal care and husbandry.  Attracting more than 640,000 visitors annually, the Zoo is considered one of the top things to do in Nashville. The Zoo is a non-profit organization located at 3777 Nolensville Pike and is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.  The mission of Nashville Zoo is to inspire a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation and leadership.  For more information about Nashville Zoo, call 615-833-1534 or visit www.nashvillezoo.org.

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Join Nashville Zoo for some hippity hoppity fun at the 14th annual Eggstravaganzoo. Nashville’s
largest egg hunt tradition takes place Saturday, April 7 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Annual Eggstravaganzoo
More than 40,000 plastic eggs will be distributed on the Zoo’s Festival Field for 10 scheduled hunts
held throughout the day. Participants can redeem their eggs for exciting prize packs. 
Festival Field Egg Hunt Schedule:
• Ages 2 & under: 10 a.m. OR 12:30 p.m.
• 3 years: 10:30 a.m. OR 1 p.m.
• 4 – 5 years: 11 a.m. OR 1:30 p.m.
• 6 – 7 years:  11:30 a.m. OR 2 p.m.
• 8 – 10 years Noon OR 2:30 p.m.

There will also be a Zoo-wide hunt for larger, golden eggs also redeemable for prizes. Visitors can
watch as Zoo animals hunt for special “eggs” hidden just for them. Other activities include Easter-themed
games, bounce houses and face painting.

New this year to Eggstravaganzoo is Bunny Café, offering breakfast and lunch with a view of the
egg hunt field and up-close visits with the Easter Bunny. Reservations are required. Visit
www.nashvillezoo.org for Café menu and to make a reservation.

Eggstravaganzoo is included with Zoo admission or membership. Additional event fees apply for
Bunny Café and face painting. Eggstravaganzoo is presented by The Gaylord Entertainment Foundation
and supported by HCA TriStar, Dixie Home Crafters, Happy Family, Lifeguard Ambulance Service,
Krispy Kreme, Now Playing Nashville and Mix 92.9.

Nashville Zoo is accredited by the prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums, assuring the highest standards of animal care and husbandry. The Zoo is a non-profit organization located at 3777 Nolensville Pike and is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

The mission of Nashville Zoo is to inspire a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through
conservation, innovation and leadership. For more information about Nashville Zoo, call 615-833-1534 or
visit www.nashvillezoo.org.

Sy is a 6-month old cassowary, from the White Oak Conservation Center in Florida, settles in to his new home along Bamboo Trail. As Sy grows, his feathers will eventually turn black and his head will turn shades of blue. Sy will alternate on exhibit with our other male cassowary (an adult).

 

This image was taken by Zoo photographer Christian Sperka (www.sperka.biz).

Here’s your Nashville Zoo Picture of the Week. For courtship, red-crowned cranes exhibit a dancing display characterized by head bobbing, bowing, leaps and other gestures. Successful courtship typically results in a monogamous relationship for life. Happy Valentine’s Day!

This image was taken by Zoo photographer Christian Sperka (www.sperka.biz).  Enjoy!

 

Nashville Zoo is hosting a job fair for anyone interested in working at the Zoo during the summer season. The job fair will take place Monday, Feb. 13 and Tuesday, Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. in the Zoo’s Croft Center.

Representatives from the Zoo’s food, retail, maintenance and guest services departments will be available to answer questions and receive resumes and job applications. Seasonal positions include: retail and concessions cashiers; short order cooks; retail and concessions stand supervisors; concessions stand attendants; maintenance; grounds keeping; housekeeping; and guest services associates.

All jobs have separate qualifications. Offers for all positions are contingent on the satisfactory results of a pre-employment drug screen and criminal background check. For more information, visit www.nashvillezoo.org and click on “Careers” at the bottom of the page.

Nashville Zoo is accredited by the prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums, assuring the highest standards of animal care and husbandry. The Zoo is a non-profit organization located at 3777 Nolensville Pike and is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The mission of Nashville Zoo is to inspire a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation and leadership. For more information about Nashville Zoo, call 615-833-1534 or visit

www.nashvillezoo.org.

At Zooperbowl, animals normally displayed during this time of year will be on exhibit as well as animals in the indoor Unseen New World exhibit. Many of the Zoo’s animal collection is acclimated to Nashville’s climate except in extreme weather conditions, and some species (cougars, Bengal tigers, zebra, eland, red panda and Eurasian lynx) are often more active during cooler months. Weather permittin­­g, rides on the Zoo’s Wild Animal Carousel and Wilderness Express Train will be offered for an additional fee. The Zoo’s gift shop, café and Jungle Gym playground will also be open during Zooperbowl.

Nashville Zoo is accredited by the prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums, assuring the highest standards of animal care and husbandry.  The Zoo is a non-profit organization located at 3777 Nolensville Pike and is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.  The mission of Nashville Zoo is to inspire a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation and leadership.  For more information about Nashville Zoo, call 615-833-1534 or visit www.nashvillezoo.org.

Nashville Zoo Picture of the Week. Jackson, our elderly male cougar relaxes in his habitat which he will soon share with two cubs. The cubs were orphaned in Oregon when a hunter illegally shot their mother. More info on the cubs at a later date.

 

This image was taken by Zoo photographer Christian Sperka (www.sperka.biz). Enjoy!

Nashville Zoo is hosting an open house for prospective docents on Sunday, Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. in the Zoo’s Croft Center. Docents are specialized volunteers committed to educating the public about the Zoo's animals through the use of fossils, live animals and other hands-on materials.

“The docent program at Nashville Zoo focuses on getting our guests excited about conservation and our natural world,” said Chris Kline, the Zoo’s manager of onsite interpretation. “There is no greater feedback than watching children’s reaction to a snake, ostrich egg and macaw feathers during a docent presentation.”

Docents must volunteer a minimum of 70 hours each year, attend at least four of the six training classes beginning Feb. 11 and pay a one-time fee of $60 for uniform and training materials. Interested parties should contact Chris Kline, manager of onsite interpretation at 615-833-1534 ext. 146 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Docent applications are available at www.nashvillezoo.org.

Nashville Zoo is accredited by the prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums, assuring the highest standards of animal care and husbandry.  The Zoo is a non-profit organization located at 3777 Nolensville Pike and is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.  The mission of Nashville Zoo is to inspire a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation and leadership.  For more information about Nashville Zoo, call 615-833-1534 or visit www.nashvillezoo.org.

Contact:  Jim Bartoo

(615) 833-1534 ext. 126

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Kick-off Independence Day at the third annual Red, White and Zoo on Sunday, July 3 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. The all-American celebration features food, games and entertainment for all ages. Taking place on the Zoo’s Festival Field, Red, White and Zoo activities include an inflatable bounce house, obstacle course, games, special docent stations and more. A pie-eating contest will be available for the first 10 guests registering in each age group. Contest times and age groups are as follows: o 5 – 12 year olds: 1:00 p.m. o 13 – 17 year olds: 1:30 p.m. o 18 and older: 2:00 p.m. Guests can also register to indulge in an all-you-can-eat buffet of classic cookout favorites, including hot dogs, baked beans, coleslaw, potato chips, assorted cookies, bottled water, iced tea and soda. The buffet will run from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. All games and activities for Red, White and Zoo are included with Zoo admission. The all-you-can-eat buffet is $7 per person for registration received by noon on July 1. Guests may register online at www.nashvillezoo.org. After July 1, the buffet cost is $10 per person and can be paid at the event. Nashville Zoo is accredited by the prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums, assuring the highest standards of animal care and husbandry. The Zoo is a non-profit organization located at 3777 Nolensville Pike and is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The mission of Nashville Zoo is to inspire a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation and leadership. For more information about Nashville Zoo, please call 615-833-1534 or visit our website at www.nashvillezoo.org.