Zoo babies contribute to the excitement of Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden’s Annual Family Fun Day and Dash for Donna 5K this Saturday

The zoo family expanded times three just in time for the annual Family Fun Day this Saturday.  Three sitatunga were born on three consecutive days this week with a possible fourth due any time.

Assistant Animal Curator, Leigh Ramon, shared,  “The sitatunga are an African antelope and they are the most aquatic of the antelope species as they are very strong swimmers.  Visitors can catch a glimpse of the babies in the African Rift exhibit but their moms are really good at hiding them in the tall grass so it will take a careful eye to spot them.”   She noted that the grass is intentionally left tall in the African Rift exhibit to replicate the natural habitat of the sitatunga.

The busy week at the zoo wraps up with an action-packed Saturday planned.  The day starts early with the  Dash for Donna 5K and One-Mile Walk at 7:00 a.m.  Registration and check-in begins at 6:00 a.m. for those still wanting to participate.  The race is increasingly popular due to the unique course with its hilly terrain within a zoo setting.  All proceeds from the event go to support the zoo.

The fun continues when the gates open to the public at 9 a.m. for Family Fun Day.  From zookeeper chats to bounce houses, art projects, storytelling, live music, and more, Family Fun Day is an annual favorite for the public and zoo staff.

A complete schedule for Family Fun Day is listed below:

The Robot Zoo ( Kley Exhibit Hall– 9 am—4pm — 2 tokens or $2)

Inflatables (Entry Plaza— 9 am—3 pm)

Activities with ZooTeens ( 10 am—2 pm Discovery Center Tram Stop)

Live Music (Entry Plaza — 10 am—3pm)

Zookeeper Chat: Sun Bear (10 am Asia-Australia Loop)

Meet the Evansville Otters ( 10:45—11:45 Children’s Enchanted Forest)

Zookeeper Chat: Red Panda (11 am Discovery Center)

Giraffe Feeding (11am and 2 pm—2 tokens)

Zookeeper Chat: Rhino ( 1:15 Lower Kley)

Zookeeper Chat: Gibbon (1:30 Asia-Australia Loop)

Animal Enrichment: Ice Treats (various throughout the day)

Special recognition goes to Alcoa, Axiom, Subway, St. Mary’s and  Fifth Third for supporting Family Fun Day.  Regular admission rates apply for Family Fun Day, and Zoo Members are free.    Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden is open 365 days a year.  For additional information on Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden, including details on Zoo Membership and admission prices, visit www.meskerparkzoo.com.