North Carolina Zoo Archives | Page 2 of 4

Dec72023 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

North Carolina Zoo Announces Call for Artists: Artwork for New Asia Region

NC Zoo

"Elephant Group," by Peter Woytuk located at the NC Zoo Entrance (Acme News Archive) ASHEBORO, N.C. (NC ZOO) — The North Carolina Zoo and North Carolina Zoo Society announce a new public art opportunity for artists and artist teams to design art for the new continent of Asia. With a budget of $250,000 provided through the Zoo Society, this project will join the more than 150 works of art in and around the Zoo. The first step of the process, the Request for Qualifications, has begun and calls for artists (and artist teams) to submit their qualifications for the design, fabrication, and installation of a permanent outdoor public art project for installation within Asia. The request will run through Feb. 2, 2024. The art collection at the Zoo includes monumental works rangi...

Oct272023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

NC Zoo to Investigate Death of Polar Bear While being Transported

NC Zoo

Photo provided by N.C. Zoo ASHEBORO N.C. - The North Carolina Zoo says they will investigate what led to the death of a male polar bear during a transfer to another zoo earlier this week. In a press release, the North Carolina Zoo announced that on October 25th, 2023, Payton, the Zoo’s male polar bear, had died while being transported to the Louisville Zoo in Kentucky. According to the N.C. Zoo, an experienced care team, left the North Carolina Zoo with Payton, performing routine checks on the 1,000-pound polar bear during the trip. “On the second check, less than two hours away from the North Carolina Zoo, the care team found Payton non-responsive. He was immediately transported to a nearby large animal veterinarian, who confirmed that Payton had passed,” said the Zoo in the p...

Sep202023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

One Year In, Construction on Asia on Schedule

NC Zoo

Construction is underway on the new Asia expansion at the NC Zoo. [Scott Pelkey | North State Journal] ASHEBORO N.C. - One year after breaking ground, construction on the Asia expansion at the North Carolina Zoo is on track, but with the planned opening still years away there is still a lot of work to be done. General construction on Asia is halfway complete with Rodgers Builders, the general contractor for the project, reporting no significant delays thus far. Work constructing the buildings and infrastructure is expected to be completed by fall of 2024. Once Asia’s construction is complete, the work of turning ten acres of gravel, dirt, and concrete buildings into a new continent is where the Zoo’s work will really start, says Diane Villa, Director of Communications & Marke...

Sep192023 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

REMC Invites Public to Drive Electric Event at North Carolina Zoo

Events, NC Zoo

A Chevy Volt electric vehicle sits on display at the Drive Electric Event held in the NC Zoo's North America parking lot on October 1st 2021. (Acme News / Archive Photo) ASHEBORO N.C. (REMC) – On Friday, September 29, from 9 am to noon at the North Carolina Zoo, Randolph Electric Membership Corporation will sponsor “It’s Electric,” a public education event showcasing electric vehicles (EVs). This outdoor event, planned during National Drive Electric Week (September 22 to October 1), draws attention to the positive aspects of driving all-electric and plug-in hybrid automobiles. Local and state dignitaries will welcome the crowd at 10 am. Vehicles from various automobile dealerships, an electric school bus and EV chargers will be on display for REMC members and guests of ...

Aug222023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

NC Zoo to Say Farewell to Flamingos

NC Zoo

Flamingo at the NC Zoo [Acme News Archive Photo] ASHEBORO N.C. - The North Carolina Zoo is planning to say farewell to its flock of Flamingos who are leaving for South Carolina at the end of September. The North Carolina Zoo announced yesterday that they will be transferring their flock of 15 Chilean flamingos to the Greenville Zoo in South Carolina sometime at the end of September. "While it is sad to see the flamingos leave the Zoo, we are happy to know they will join a flock of 19 Chilean flamingos already at the Greenville Zoo," said the Zoo on Facebook. "Flamingos are social birds that live in large flocks in the wild. We are very thankful to the Greenville Zoo for accepting the entire flock, as several of these birds have been together for over 25 years." View t...

Aug122023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

Summer Underway at NC Zoo

NC Zoo

ASHEBORO N.C. - With Asia not expected to be completed until 2026 it's easy to think there isn't much to do or see at the North Carolina Zoo this summer, but you'd be wrong. From adorable babies, an impressive dog show, and newly renovated habitats, this summer is the perfect time to take a trip to the Zoo. Canine Champions for Conservation Alyssa Buller watches as one of her dogs performs during the Canine Champions for Conservation attraction at the NC Zoo. [Scott Pelkey | North State Journal] Chris Collier and Alyssa Buller will be at the North Carolina Zoo this summer with their highly trained dogs for a show that features jumps, obstacle courses, and other demonstrations. Collier and Buller have performed all over the country, and their dogs have even been featured on sea...

Jun292023 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

NC Zoo Asks Public to Vote on Names of Sand Cat Triplets

NC Zoo

Photo provided by North Carolina Zoo ASHEBORO N.C. (NC ZOO) - The North Carolina Zoo is asking the public to vote on the “purr-fect” names for the sand cat kitten triplets born on May 11, 2023. The triplets are two females and one male. People can vote on this online poll from among names chosen by zookeepers. Voting is open now and closes Wednesday, July 5, at 4 p.m. (all EDT). The public can also access the poll through the Zoo's website at nczoo.org. There is no charge to select names. The winning names will be announced on Friday, July 7. Females (top two names given to the female kittens) Cleo (Cleopatra): Iconic Queen of Egypt, Greek name meaning “glory of the father” Amira (“Uh-MEER-uh"): Arabic name meaning “princess” Cyra ("SEER-uh”): Persian ...

May92023 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

NC Zoo Offering Mother’s Day Discount

NC Zoo

ASHEBORO N.C. - This Sunday, May 14th, is Mother's Day and if you are looking to do something special to do with your mother this weekend, how about a trip to the North Carolina Zoo? The North Carolina Zoo will be offering a $2 discount off the price of admission for Moms with a paying guest on Sunday, May 14th, 2023. Moms simply need to mention the “Mother's Day coupon” at the admissions gate to receive the discount. Mother's Day comes just in time to check out the Kaleidoscope Butterfly Garden. Located in Junction Plaza, the exhibit recently opened for the season. Open to guests every day from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through September, tickets are $3 and can be purchased at the ticket booth near the Junction Tram Stop.

Feb232023 by Randolph News NowNo Comments

North Carolina Zoo Announces the Arrival of New Male Lion

NC Zoo

https://youtube.com/shorts/9EIlAXPje6I?feature=share ASHEBORO N.C. (NC ZOO) - The North Carolina Zoo is excited to officially announce its new male lion, Haji, has arrived. Haji, three years old and weighing 400 pounds, came from the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans as a companion for the Zoo's female lion Mekita, 13. The Association of Zoos and Aquarium (AZA) Lions Species Survival Plan (SSP) recommended the pairing. Mekita's last mate—23-year-old Reilly—died in August 2022, leaving her as the Zoo's only lion. Reilly lived at the Zoo for 21 years, spending most of his time as Mekita's mate. Haji was brought to the Zoo mainly as a companion for Mekita because lions are big cats that live in social groups called prides. Although Haji arrived in...

Feb102023 by Scott PelkeyNo Comments

NC Zoo Council Approves Price Increase

NC Zoo

A ticket line at the North American Entrance of the North Carolina Zoo (Scott Pelkey / North State Journal) ASHEBORO N.C. - The NC Zoo Council voted this week to approve an increase in the cost of admission to the North Carolina Zoo, which could start as soon as next month. The N.C. Zoo Council, a 15-member board appointed by the governor to oversee the operation and development of the Zoo held a planned virtual meeting on February 8th, 2023. In that meeting the group voted to approve an increase in ticket prices as well as other changes. Council members listened to N.C. Zoo Director Pat Simmions as she presented the Zoo’s 2023 Fee Proposal. “Zoo’s funding comes 50% from the State with the other 50% from gate ticket sales,” said Simmons. Going on to explain that the cost of ru...