Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo Trumps Punxsutawney Phil by Using a Gorilla to Predict Weather

By Steph Husman

Omaha, NE - Everyone knows Punxsutawney Phil as the reigning Groundhog’s Day weather predictor, but Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo gorilla, Bambio, is giving him a run for his money this 2010. The playful but very intelligent, Bambio, will predict the length of our winter season. Dennis Pate, Director and CEO, will be available for questions today, Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 11 a.m. Please enter through Guest Services.

Bambio will enter the exhibit this morning to choose from two containers that hold identical treats - one green container representing “spring” and one white container representing “winter”. Whichever container Bambio chooses first will determine the forecast for Omaha, Nebraska.

Omaha’s Zoo manages 14 Western Lowland gorillas. There are three females and 11 males. They originate from the far west coast to Middle Western Africa. They are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Bambio is six years old and was born in Omaha to parents Timu and Motuba, both managed at Omaha’s Zoo.

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo is located at Nebraska’s I-80, Exit 454 and is open year-round from 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. Admission prices for 2010 are $11.50 for adults, $7.75 for children (ages 3 – 11) and $10 for seniors. Household memberships are available for $78 until April 4, 2010. Additional information can be found on the website, www.omahazoo.com.

To view Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-3112-Omaha's_Henry_Doorly_Zoo