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GROUNDHOG DAY? FEBRUARY 2 IS PRAIRIE DOG DAY AT DENVER ZOO

Guests Can Enjoy Animal Activities From Noon – 4 p.m.

Denver, CO (Jan 30, 2008) – In cooperation with the Prairie Dog Coalition’s Prairie Dog Day, celebrate Groundhog Day at Denver Zoo with Punxsutawney Phil’s distant cousin, the prairie dog! Join the celebration by getting nose to whisker with Denver Zoo’s resident prairie dogs and other prairie wildlife and discovering how prairie wildlife rely on prairie dogs for survival. Activities are free with regular admission and will run from noon until 4 p.m.

Throughout the zoo visitors will be able to learn more about these threatened animals and the prairie ecosystem they are a part of. Activity stations will focus on how important prairie dogs are to the health of the prairie ecosystem. Visitors will also be able to get up-close with some of the zoo’s resident prairie dogs and other native creatures during live prairie animal demonstrations. In celebration of the prairie ecosystem and way of life, a Native American Plains Tribe will perform traditional dances during the event. Zoo visitors will leave Prairie Dog Day with knowledge of what they can do to help prairie dogs in the wild.

A lecture on prairie dog ecology and social behavior will take place from 1 – 2 p.m., where conservation biologist, Dr. John Hoogland of the University of Maryland, will show photos and talk about his 36 years of work with prairie dogs in the wild. The lecture is free with admission, but requires an RSVP to 303-376-6729. Denver Zoo has been helping Hoogland fund his “Ecology and Behavior of White-Tailed Prairie Dogs” conservation project since 1999. Denver Zoo also funds several other conservation projects involving prairie dogs. Visit www.denverzoo.org for more information on these projects.

Prairie dogs are threatened in the wild, which affects other prairie species as well. Prairie dogs are a keystone species, which means that multiple other animals in the ecosystem depend on them for survival. At least nine different prairie animals, such as hawks, owls, foxes and ferrets depend on prairie dogs for food, or their burrows for shelter.  Over the last 150 years, prairie dog populations have declined by more than 95 percent and the decline continues today.

In addition to the event activities, visitors can enjoy viewing the zoo’s nearly 4,000 other animal residents including giraffe calves, Kang and Turbo. Between enjoying Prairie Dog Day activities, guests can also enjoy Sea Lion Shows at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., a Pachyderm Demonstration at 11:30 a.m., a Predator Ridge Demonstration at 2 p.m. and African penguin feedings at 10:15 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

About Denver Zoo:

Denver Zoo is home to nearly 4,000 animals representing more than 650 species and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and accreditation by AZA assures that an institution is meeting the highest standards of animal care.

Between 1996 and 2006 Denver Zoo has been involved in 390 field conservation and research projects in 47 countries. In 2006 alone, Denver Zoo was involved in 70 projects in more than 20 countries on five continents (Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America).  In 2006 within the United States, the zoo was involved in conservation and research projects in seven states, including six projects in Colorado.

Winter hours, effective October through March, are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission gates close at 4 p.m. Seasonal admission fees, October through March, are $9.00 ages 12-64, $5.00 for ages 3-11 and $7.00 for ages 65+. Children under three are admitted free.

Denver Zoo is open every day.  Parking is free.  For information on Colorado free days, meeting and party space rental or special events, call (303) 376-4800.  Visit the Denver Zoo web site at www.denverzoo.org.