Spring break is swooping in, and for those with an itch to get closer to nature, El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens is rolling out the welcome mat. Fresh exhibits and a chance to have a say in naming a baby giraffe are on the cards for visitors of all ages. As reported yesterday by the City of El Paso, the zoo has shifted gears into their spring and summer hours, which means you can take a stroll among the fauna from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. And for the spring breakers, they’re opening the gates every day to fit everyone's vacation schedule.
The zoo is pulsing with life, flaunting new residents that are ready to be gawked at. Lar Gibbons, primates that can swing up to a staggering 26 feet and vocalize their presence across half a mile are some of the stars of this show. These are critical times for Lar Gibbons like the 9-year-old female Lucy and the 12-year-old male Thai, as their kind is grappling to stay aloof from the threat of extinction, chiefly due to habitat loss. Binturongs are also making a splash, with 3-year-old Zula and 4-year-old Bimo flaunting their bear-meets-cat allure. Visitors can expect to catch whiffs of buttered popcorn, a unique trait of these nocturnal creatures used to mark their territories. To round out the introductions, there's Refund, a Swainson’s Hawk with a knack for long-haul travel, covering an impressive 12,000-mile migratory journey, according to the City of El Paso.
And then, let's not forget the chance to partially lay claim to a newborn giraffe, because come on, who doesn't want to practically adopt a baby giraffe? The zoo’s team has finalized a list of four potential names: Ato, Balozi, Hermanito, and Tesoro. If you're looking to weigh in on this bit of zoo democracy, cast your vote through the Zoo's Facebook and Instagram pages, be sure to do it before the deadline strikes on March 23rd.
