San Antonio is gearing up for an astronomical double feature with two unique events offering locals the chance to watch back-to-back solar eclipses alongside some furry and feathered friends. At San Antonio Animal Care Services (SAACS), star gazers can to enjoy a solar eclipse on April 8 with added bonus of potentially going home with a new pet. SAACS is slashing adoption fees to $25 during the "out-of-this-world" adoption event, as reported by News 4 San Antonio.
Visitors to SAACS will be provided with free eclipse safety glasses to safely witness the moon’s dance across the sun, projected to hit its peak just after 1:30 p.m. With dozens of animals ready to be taken into new homes and food trucks on site, the day promises to mix solar science with a hearty dose of heartwarming connection.
Across town, the San Antonio Zoo is putting its own spin on the eclipse spectacle with the Eclipse Extravaganza on October 14, when the moon will again pass between the Earth and sun to create the so-called "ring of fire." The zoo will hand out special viewing glasses for the event, starting at 10 a.m., as described by KENS 5. Guests will witness not just the eclipse but how the resident animals react to the sudden faux twilight—an aspect of behavior that remains largely a mystery to us.
"The interesting thing is that there are so few published studies on animal behavior at zoos during eclipses, so San Antonio Zoo would be making an incredibly unique contribution to an area of the scientific community that still isn't well understood or documented," Dr. Charles Ritzler, the Director of Animal Wellbeing, told KENS 5. Highlights of the event include education booths, live music, and a costume contest, providing a diverse mix of entertainment. Kids are also offered free admission with a paying adult for the month, dovetailing with the Zoo Boo festivities.
