Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Newest Exhibit is "The Scoop on Poop"

By Tom O’Konowitz

Cleveland, OH - Get The Scoop on Poop This Summer at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

DINOSAURS!, FLUTTER! and Professor Wylde return for Zoo’s summer season

Discover the science behind dinosaur dung, giraffe droppings and porcupine pellets this summer with “The Scoop on Poop,” Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s newest exhibit. Blending fecal facts with fun, this interactive exhibit runs from Saturday, May 22, through Sunday, September 12 at the Zoo.

Plus, there will be lots more to “doo” this summer at the Zoo:

DINOSAURS! returns for its fifth BIG season with a new crew of larger-than-life robots, and FLUTTER! flies back into town with an array of tropical butterflies. Professor Wylde’s Animal Show, camel rides and the A-MAZE-ing Amphibians Maze round out another summer of fun at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

The Scoop on Poop

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo presents “The Scoop on Poop,” a one-of-a-kind exhibit that teaches visitors of all ages about the exciting world of excrement. Featuring colorful graphics, three-dimensional models and interactives, The Scoop on Poop takes a tactful approach to the topic, carefully using both science and humor.

As part of their education in defecation, Zoo visitors can listen to a grizzly bear’s digestion, test their No. 2 IQ in “stool school” and hop on a scale to see how long it’d take an elephant to defecate their body weight.

Believe it or not, feces can be fascinating – especially for kids. Animals use poop to build their homes, hide from enemies, attract mates, and even nourish themselves. Humans use it to make fertilizer, fuel power plants and diagnose medical conditions.

The Scoop on Poop, based on the popular book by Dr. Wayne Lynch, is a traveling exhibit designed by Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland in Allenwood, Pennsylvania. It will sit on several thousand square feet of Zoo grounds, including The RainForest, the Exhibit Hall and the Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building.

So mark your territory this summer at the Zoo and get The Scoop on Poop, running Saturday, May 22, through Sunday, September 12. Free with regular Zoo admission.

DINOSAURS!

Take a magical journey back in time to encounter 18 prehistoric beasts as they growl and prowl along the shores of the Zoo’s Waterfowl Lake.

DINOSAURS! returns for its fifth season at the Zoo since 2003, running from Thursday, May 6, through Sunday, September 12. The larger-than-life animatronic monsters come to life to the delight of children and adults alike, drawing more than 400,000 people during their last visit in 2009.

This summer, DINOSAURS! features the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex, the fleet-footed Elaphrosaurus, the sharp-toothed predator Deltadromeus and the wrinkly-faced Rugops. Some of the robotic giants have never before been seen at the Zoo.

State-of-the-art electronics and air pistons power the dinosaurs’ lifelike movements while a booming sound system provides their bone-chilling roars. The creatures are built on steel frames by Billings Productions of McKinney, Texas, and covered with intricately painted foam rubber as skin.

Admission is just $1 per person in addition to regular Zoo admission. DINOSAURS! is free for Zoo members and children under 2.

FLUTTER!

Tropical butterflies fly back into town with the return of FLUTTER! More winged beauties than ever before will fly freely through this one-of-a-kind exhibit, which allows you to immerse yourself into a wondrous world of sights, sounds and smells.

Hundreds of butterflies from South America, Africa and Asia will flutter through the Zoo’s Public Greenhouse, which also will be filled with beautiful tropical plants and nature-themed music. Visitors will be able to learn about the metamorphosis process, as butterfly cocoons and newly hatched butterflies will be displayed daily.

FLUTTER! runs Saturday, May 22, through Sunday, September 12. Free with regular Zoo admission.

Professor Wylde’s Animal Show:

Professor Wylde and his cast of critters return to the Zoo Amphitheater this summer with all new adventures. Professor Wylde’s Animal Show features an all-star cast, including a white stork, greater sulfur-crested cockatoo, two-toed sloth, Burmese python, fennec fox and a palm cockatoo.

Professor Wylde teaches visitors of all ages about how the Zoo creates habitats best suited for its animals, while also teaching them what they can do to help wildlife and the environment.

Shows run daily Saturday, May 29, through Monday, September 6, with weekend shows through September. Show times are 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Free with Zoo admission.

Lots More:

Also this summer, check out the Zoo’s “Hot Spots,” a daily line-up of must-see special opportunities, including Get Close Animal Encounters, seal and sea lion training demonstrations, chances to meet the animal keepers and animal enrichment demonstrations. Plus, there are camel rides, lorikeet feedings and the A-MAZE-ing Amphibians walk-through maze.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with hours extended to 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Admission is $10 per person, $7 for kids ages 2 to 11 and free for children under 2 and Zoo members.

To learn more, visit clemetzoo.com or call (216) 661-6500.

Fifth Third Bank proudly supports the summer season at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

To view Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-28-Cleveland_Metroparks_Zoo