The Orangutans are Celebrating Ape Awareness Week at Rio Grande Zoo

By Allyson Zahm

Albuquerque, NM - Orangutans, chimpanzees and gorillas face many threats in the wild – from habitat loss and destruction to poaching – and all three animals are listed as endangered species. The Rio Grande Zoo will teach about these animals during Ape Awareness Week, November 8-14, from 10:30am-12:30pm each day. Discovery Stations at the great ape exhibits will teach about the biology and habitat of each animal, and visitors will learn how they can help protect these three great apes.

As part of the celebration, visitors will be able to make enrichment items for the apes on Friday, November 13, and Saturday, November 14. Enrichment items may include boxes with hay and treats, painted paper-mache piñatas and healthy snacks skewered onto twigs and branches. These, and enrichment items like them, stimulate mental activity and encourage foraging behavior from the apes and are an important part of their daily life at the Zoo.

Zoo Docents will distribute the Zoo’s holiday gift guide featuring orangutan-safe gift ideas. A download of the gift guide (PDF) is also available online. For more information, please call Zoo Education at (505) 764-6214.

The Albuquerque Biological Park is an accessible facility and a division of the City of Albuquerque’s Cultural Services Department. For assistance in visiting, please call 311 (Relay NM or 711), preferably with three days advance notice. Hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm daily. Zoo admission is $7.00 for adults and $3.00 for seniors 65 and older and children 3-12. Same day combo admission to all BioPark facilities is $12 for adults; $5 for seniors and children.

New Mexico BioPark Society membership confers free general admission to all BioPark facilities and discounts to many special events. Find out more about becoming a BioPark Society member at nmbioparksociety.org.

The BioPark is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information visit www.aza.org.

To view Rio Grande Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-94-Rio_Grande_Zoo