The zoo offers an opportunity for people of all ages to see their favorite animals.
Heidi Schade, 22, from Heber, loves seeing all the different animals.
“Seeing all the animals up close was amazing,” she said. “Especially the giraffes and tigers. I missed the shows, and I wish I could have seen them, but I did see every animal in the zoo. I really want to go back.”
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The Elephant Encounter Pachyderm Program showcases some of the world’s largest animals in a show of tricks that entertain guests. The show runs Monday through Thursday starting at 10:30 a.m.
Wildlife Bird Theatre show lets visitors witness some of the most dangerous birds in the world free fly through the air. Birds include eagles, hawks, owls and others. The show starts Monday and goes to Friday starting at 11 a.m.
Discovery Theatre allows people to see how animal’s habitats become their homes. The Discovery Theatre runs three times a day beginning at 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.. The show runs Monday through Sunday.
Chris Weinberger, an international relations student from Salt Lake City, enjoys going to the zoo but wishes it had his favorite animal.
“My favorite animal is a wombat,” he said. “I wish the zoo had a wombat. But it was a good time. We spent most of our time looking at monkeys.”
Each week throughout the summer, the zoo offers different events for people to participate in.
In August, every Wednesday from 2-2:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10-10:30 a.m. guests who reserve a spot have the chance to feed giraffes in the “Animal Encounter” event. Visitors will have a giraffe specialist provide them with information about one of the world’s tallest animals while feeding them. Fees for the Animal Encounter start at $49 for nonmembers and $40 for members. Animal Encounters for giraffes is a family-friendly event with the capacity to host up to 10 guests.
The Animal Encounter will also continue on Fridays in August, from 2:30-3 p.m., giving visitors a chance to prepare a meal for bats and enter their exhibit. Rates for the bats in Animal Encounter begin at $39 for nonmembers and $30 for members. The recommended age for this experience is 12 and older.
In October, the zoo will offer the “Boo at the Zoo,” where children under the age of 12 can come trick or treat from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
During the winter holidays, “Zoolights” are one of the biggest attractions the zoo offers. People can walk around the zoo with Christmas lights twinkling in the sky above.
Eliza Cook, 22, from Salt Lake City, enjoys the holiday spirit the zoolights give.
“It is neat walking around the zoo with all the holiday lights,” Cook said. “The whole zoo has lights everywhere. You can’t see all of the animals, but they did have little fake reindeer lit up.”
The Hogle Zoo is located in Salt Lake City, at 2600 E. Sunnyside Ave. Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with last admittance at 5 p.m. Adult rates start at $9, senior citizens and children from the ages 3-12 are $7 and children under the age of two get in free.
For more information visit hoglezoo.org
