Archives for March 18, 2016

Buddy the Dinosaur

PHOTO CREDIT: TM and © The Jim Henson Company, All Rights Reserved.

The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens hosts PBS SoCal KIDS Weekend at the Los Angeles Zoo on Saturday, April 9 and Sunday April 10, 2016, 10 am to 4 pm.  The event fills the Zoo’s Eucalyptus Grove with a variety of engaging fun for families with book readings, themed crafts, activities and a kids’ dance party.  Guest also enjoy a special opportunity to take photos with PBS KIDS characters Curious George and Buddy the Dinosaur from Dinosaur Train.  Curious George is available for photos between 10 am and 1 pm, and Buddy is available between 1 pm and 4 pm.  PBS SoCal KIDS Weekend is free with paid admission to the L.A. Zoo.

Photo:  Curious George. PHOTO CREDIT: courtesy of PBS SoCal KIDS.

Other weekend activities at the L.A. Zoo include close-up “Animals & You” encounters at 10:45 am, 11 am, and 12:45 pm, and shows and presentations such as the ELEPHANTS OF ASIA training demonstration at 11 am; the popular WORLD OF BIRDS SHOW at 11:30 am; a HAWK TRAINING DEMONSTRATION at2 pm; a MARSUPIAL TALK at 11:30 am (Sunday only); and more.  The schedule, subject to weather and other changes, is available at the Zoo entrance and online at www.LAZoo.org.

The landmark Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, drawing 1.75 million visitors each year, is home to a diverse collection of 1,100 animals representing 250 different species, many of which are rare or endangered.  Its lush grounds on 113 acres feature the LAIR (Living Amphibians, Invertebrates, and Reptiles); Elephants of Asia; Campo Gorilla Reserve; Rainforest of the Americas, an extraordinary collection of endangered and exotic mammals, reptiles, fish and amphibians living in spaces that exemplify their natural habitat in the rainforest biosphere; Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel; Chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains, home to one of the largest troops of chimpanzees in the United States; Red Ape Rain Forest, where visitors can walk among orangutans; the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo; one of the largest flocks of flamingos in any zoo in the world; a botanical collection comprising over 800 different plant species with approximately 7,000 individual plants; and much more.  Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), whose members meet rigorous professional standards for animal welfare, the Zoo has achieved renown as an international leader in the preservation of endangered species and a conservation center for the care and study of wildlife.  The private, non-profit Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA), which has supported the Zoo in partnership with the City of Los Angeles for more than five decades and provides funding for and operates seven essential Zoo departments, has 60,000 member households representing more than 240,000 adults and children.  As evidence of the Zoo’s popularity, GLAZA attracts one of the largest membership bases of any cultural organization in Los Angeles.

About PBS SoCal
PBS SoCal is the flagship PBS station for Greater Los Angeles and Southern California, dedicated to fostering a love of learning, culture and community using the power of public media. We deliver the full schedule of high-quality PBS programs, plus content that is for, about and by the people of Southern California. We make our content available for free through three broadcast channels – PBS SoCal/KOCE-HD, PBS SoCal Plus and PBS SoCal World – and online at pbssocal.org.  And we reach deep into the community through partnerships, events and grassroots outreach, providing early education resources and access to a broad array of arts and culture experiences. PBS SoCal has offices in Downtown LA, Century City and Costa Mesa. Learn more atpbssocal.org and follow PBS SoCal on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Programming subject to change.

All activities are free with paid Zoo admission, which is $20 for general admission (ages 13 to 61), $17 for seniors (ages 62+), and $15 for children (ages 2 to 12).  No ticket is required for children under 2.  Admission for Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association members is free.

The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways.  5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA  90027.  Free parking is available.  For additional information, contact (323) 644-4200 or visit www.lazoo.org

Credit: The Los Angeles Zoo.