NC Zoo Archives | Page 5 of 6 | Randolph News Now

Dec142021 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

Grizzly Bear Has New Home at North Carolina Zoo

NC Zoo

Photo credit Hannah Tulloch/North Carolina Zoo ASHEBORO N.C. (NC ZOO) —The North Carolina Zoo announces the arrival of its newest resident – a 740-pound male grizzly bear named Ronan. Staff relocated the 9-year-old grizzly from the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona, based on a recommendation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Ronan is settling into his new habitat in the North America continent area of the Zoo. Since this past summer, the grizzly bear habitat has remained empty. That followed the death of Tommo, a beloved grizzly bear who lived at the Zoo for 26 years. Ronan and his twin sister Finley were rescued in 2003 and relocated to the Reid Park Zoo when they were just barely one year old. That decision was made after wildlife officials in Yellowstone dee...

Nov292021 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

NC Zoo Receives AZA Accreditation

NC Zoo

ASHEBORO, N.C. (NC ZOO) – - The North Carolina Zoo is pleased to announce it has once again received the honor of accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Every five years, the Zoo is required to go through the entire application process to retain its accreditation. The AZA awarded accreditation to the Zoo following a rigorous inspection visit earlier in the year. Fewer than 10% of all zoos and aquariums worldwide meet the standards to earn accreditation from the AZA. “The AZA has continuously accredited the North Carolina Zoo for more than 37 years, demonstrating the Zoo's ongoing commitment to animal welfare and veterinary care, conservation, education, and guest experience,” said Deputy Secretary Jeff Michael of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Res...

Nov12021 by Sky EmersonNo Comments

NC Zoo Offers Military & Veterans Free Admission For Military Appreciation Week

NC Zoo

Photo provided by North Carolina Zoo ASHEBORO NC – The North Carolina Zoo is offering free admission for the military past and present and discounts for their guests as apart of Military Appreciation Week. All active duty, reserve, veteran, and retired military personnel from all military branches will get free admission as well as $2 off admission for up to six accompanying guests for from November 8 – 14, 2021. The discount is only available for admission purchased on-site and requires proof of service which can include US Military ID, US Veterans ID, a DD214 with a photos ID, a state drivers license with veteran indicator or military identifier, or a VA, VF, or American Legion issued ID With summer hours ended, the Zoo hours during this week are from 9 AM to 4 PM. Last admi...

Oct12021 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

Boo at the NC Zoo – Event Offered Two Weekends in October

Events, NC Zoo

Photo Provided by NC Zoo ASHEBORO NC (NC ZOO) – The change of seasons means Halloween is just around the corner. The North Carolina Zoo will host their annual Halloween event “Boo at the NC Zoo” two weekends in October this year. Boo will be held Saturdays and Sundays on Oct. 16, 17, 23, and 24, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on all days. Boo at the NC Zoo is a family-friendly daytime event and socially distanced for everyone's fun and safety. There will be trick-or-treating at stations throughout the park, a souvenir bag, live entertainment, animal encounters, Halloween-themed photos, and costume contests. The cost for Boo at the NC Zoo is $8 per trick-or-treater (2 and up) plus admission (parents and guardians do not need to purchase a Boo ticket). North Carolina Zoo members receiv...

Sep72021 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

Gorillas on the Line, Answer the Call at the North Carolina Zoo

NC Zoo

Asheboro, NC (NC Zoo) –Join the North Carolina Zoo as we celebrate World Gorilla Day (held annually on Sept. 24) on Saturday, Sept. 25 and help save gorillas in the wild. The Zoo is partnering with institutions across the globe as part of Gorillas on the Line…Answer the Call, a cell phone recycling initiative. Bring in an old cell phone, tablet, iPod, MP3 player, or e-reader to the Zoo’s gorilla habitat in Africa on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for recycling and receive a free Gorillas on the Line t-shirt, while supplies last. The Zoo’s gorilla keepers will also be on hand to answer any of your burning questions about gorillas. Gorillas on the Line (GOTL) is a global initiative created by the Gorilla Species Survival Plan through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums...

Aug232021 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

NC Zoo Celebrates 20 Years Of Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

NC Zoo

Photo Provided by NC Zoo ASHEBORO NC – Last week the North Carolina Zoo celebrated 20 years of operating it’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. The Valerie H. Schindler Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (WRC) at the NC Zoo provides free, professional veterinary and rehabilitation services to sick, injured, or orphaned native North Carolina animals. The goal for the animals they treat is to be returned to the wild in a condition that will optimize their chances of survival after release. According to the NC Zoo the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is the only one of its kind in U.S. zoos. The WRC is not open to the public, the animals in its care need as little human contact as possiable for a successful release into the wild. Nat Geo WILD's “Secrets of the Zoo, North Carolina” series gav...

Aug162021 by Sky EmersonNo Comments

NC Zoo Announces Death Of Two Beloved Animals

NC Zoo

ASHEBORO NC – Last week the NC shared the sad news of the loss of two of its animals. Paco On Aug 11th 2021, the NC Zoo announced on Facebook the passing of Paco the harbor seal. The cause of death had not yet been determined not yet determined, but the post shared to Facebook noted Paco did have a large lung mass. Paco lived at the NC Zoo’s Rocky Coast exhibit for 13 years. Paco the harbor seal (NC Zoo / Facebook Page) “Paco was an amazing seal. He was handsome and strong. Super smart. Craved challenges. Always made his keepers think and try new ways of doing things. And no matter what, he always made us laugh and smile. From the goofy looks to the exasperated eye rolls when we weren’t doing something to his liking to the crazy spurts of energy during sessions to the underwa...

Jul102021 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

North Carolina Zoo Mourns the Loss of ‘Amazing, Goofy’ Grizzly Bear

NC Zoo

ASHEBORO NC (NC Zoo Press Release) - The North Carolina Zoo is grieving the loss of Tommo, a beloved grizzly bear who lived at the Zoo for 26 years. The 31-year-old bear's quality of life quickly declined to the point that the Zoo's staff made the difficult decision to euthanize him this week. Tommo arrived at the Zoo in 1995 after being identified as a "nuisance bear" in Yellowstone National Park and relocated twice by the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. Nuisance bears have lost their fear of humans because they start to associate people as suppliers of food. This happens when people don’t properly secure their food while out in the wilderness. Though bears like Tommo usually end up being euthanized because they pose a threat to humans, the Zoo was able to provide him a home that a...

Jul102021 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

NC Zoo Lifts Restrictions, Welcomes New Animals

NC Zoo

(Scott Pelkey /Acme News) ASHEBORO NC - You can now visit the NC Zoo without a reservation, and its just in time to catch a glimpse of the Zoo's newest animals. On June 29th the NC Zoo announced they would resume normal operations, with no capacity limits, starting July 1st, 2021. Both the North America and Africa entrances and parking lots will be open daily along with all indoor buildings, which includes habitats, restaurants, and gift shops. The Zoo has dropped it requirement for face coverings, but they are still required on the Giraffe Deck which is back open along with most all of the Zoo's seasonal attractions, including the Carousel, Kaleidoscope Butterfly Garden, Treehouse Trek, and Zoofari. Air Hike which will remain closed until training new staff can be trained. Trams a...

May192021 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Get A Free Ticket To The NC Zoo By Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccine

Health, NC Zoo

Photo by Scott Pelkey / Acme News Archive ASHEBORO NC - The North Carolina Zoo is hosting several COVID-19 vaccine clinics and anyone who receives their free COVID-19 vaccine at one of the zoo's clinics will also get a free ticket to the zoo. The clinics are a collaboration with Randolph County Health Department, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, and StarMed. Anyone ages 12 and older can get their first or second Pfizer vaccine, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is available for those 18 and older. No ID or insurance is required, and there are no out-of-pocket costs. First clinic: Thursday, May 20 - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.Friday, May 21 - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.Saturday, May 22 - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Second Clinic...