If March comes in like a lion, how about a lion, or 10 lions, coming out with March? That’s what happened Saturday, March 1, as the Zoo reopened its Africa section to the public. The Zoo’s pride of lions is joined by cheetah, rhinos, hippos, giraffe, baboons, wild dogs and much more. The Zoo’s African Plains exhibit has been called “astounding,” and famed primate specialist, Jane Goodall, said the Zoo’s chimpanzee exhibit is “the finest in North America.” The exhibit features 16 animals, including a young chimp that was born just last year.
Plus, March 1 was the kick-off of “Year of the Frog,” featuring numerous new amphibian exhibits in the all-weather Discovery Barn. Year of the Frog brings focus to the dwindling populations of the world’s amphibians, which include frogs, toads, newts, salamander and more. Global warming and a deadly fungus are wiping out entire species of amphibians. It has been compared to the extinction of dinosaurs, where entire animal populations suddenly died off. Please see the Zoo’s Web site, at www.kansascityzoo.org; or call 816-513-5700 for more information.