CONTACT: Kyle Shepherd
Direct: 502-238-5331 | Media Only: 502-744-5639
kyle.shepherd@louisvilleky.gov
New for the Season and Admission Increase
The Louisville Zoo will celebrate Kindi’s 3rd birthday on April 6 at 11 a.m. at Gorilla Forrest. Families are invited to sing Happy Birthday as Kindi and surrogate mother Kweli receive some birthday enrichment. Kindi’s official birthday is March 14. The Zoo had to reschedule the public celebration of her birthday due to the March 6 ground subsidence.
Kindi was born via emergency cesarean section on March 14, 2016. Sadly, her mother, Mia Moja, passed away a little after 8 a.m. on Tuesday, March 15 from complications. Gorilla Forest keepers spent the following months caring for Kindi, acting as surrogate mothers and teaching her what it meant to be a gorilla. Keepers wore furry vests that provided a gorilla feel and something to grip as infant gorillas hang on to their mothers for transport. They also mimicked gorilla movements and vocalizations and bottle fed Kindi. Once Kindi reached certain milestones, she was introduced to her gorilla surrogate Kweli. The two have been together since August of 2016. “Kindi” means squirrel in Swahili which is what keepers used to call her mother Mia Moja.
Season is in full swing
The Zoo spring season presented by Ford Motor Company is in full swing and guests can enjoy the Zoo longer. Spring Zoo hours through September 22 are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and guests can enjoy the Zoo until 6 p.m.
Zoo general admission has increased. Admission varies on method of purchase and time of the week visiting. Through October 31 general weekday (Mon. – Fri.) admission for adults (12 – 59) is $16.75 online and $17.75 at the gate; for children (ages 3 – 11) and seniors (60+) it is $11.75 online and $12.75 at the gate. General weekend (Sat. – Sun.) admission for adults is (12 – 59) is $17.75 online and $18.75 at the gate; for children (ages 3-11) and seniors (60+) it is $12.75 online and $13.75 at the gate. Children under two are free on both weekdays and weekends.
Service Systems Associates (SSA), the Zoo’s food and amenities vendor, has a new chef. Chef Robert Stoeckle joined the Zoo from Cincinatti. Guests can now enjoy some chef’s specials on the newly expanded African Outpost deck while they watch the colobus and Schmidt red-tailed monkeys leap around their new exhibit at Colobus Crossing. Also, Kona Ice is now available in a variety of flavors near the carousel for $4 for small and $7 for large.
With warmer weather arriving, the ropes courses, camel and pony rides and the conservation carousel are now open weather permitting. The Zoo’s Lorikeet Landing is open more frequently (temperatures must be 50 or above). Lorikeet nectar may be purchased at the exhibit for $2 per cup. The giraffe feeding has also re-opened for the season for $3 per person. A new camel feeding is now $3. Kaman’s Art Shoppe is also open for photos, handimals hand art and the ever-popular face painting, weather permitting. Details https://louisvillezoo.org/plan/
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The Louisville Zoo, a non-profit organization and state zoo of Kentucky, is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
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