The Official Houston Zoo Blog » Holidays

Visit Liberty the Bald Eagle this 4th of July at the Houston Zoo!

Rochelle Joseph — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 06:00:45 +0000

Feeling patriotic? What more perfect thing to do over the 4th of July weekend than to come to our McGovern’s Children’s Zoo to see, up close and without obstruction of mesh or glass, our striking national symbol — Liberty, the Southern Bald Eagle.

Liberty, the Houston Zoo's majestic, dignified Southern Bald Eagle

Adapted as the official symbol when George Washington became the first President, the Eagle appears on most of our gold and silver coins and as an emblem in many of official United States seals. It’s also used decoratively for many patriotic purposes.

The Bald Eagle was chosen for it’s appearance of strength and represents freedom. You might get a little choked up to see her. Our viewing deck is raised so you are often eye to eye.

This weekend might be a little rainy, but it’s a great thing to do throughout July. Come to think of it, why not just make her part of your visit anytime of the year?

If you’ve seen Liberty yourself, are a fan of the Bald Eagle, or are feeling partiotic as we approach the weeken, please tell us and all your fellow readers about it in the comments section below. It’s easy, and we’d love to hear from you!

Written by Rochelle Joseph

Meet the Keeper: Suzanne Jurek

Andrea Pohlman — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:30:10 +0000

Suzanne shows off a bat skeleton to Zoo guests.

Hometown:Born in Memphis, TN but now a naturalized Texan!
Section: Children’s Zoo – Primary: Desert/Prairie
Quote: “Science without religion is lame; Religion without science is blind.” –Albert Einstein

Special Interests/Hobbies:
Reading, time with my family, anything related to bats, active in church.

Interesting Facts:
Population manager for Jamaican Fruit Bats, Certified Interpretive Guide, and once named All City Supreme Princess – of course I was only 4 at the time!

What is your education, training, and previous institution(s) you attended before coming to the Houston Zoo?
Some college – 10 years volunteering at the Houston Zoo and on the job.

Suzanne introduces Trixie to Saint Nick during "Breakfast with Santa"

What animals do you train, and what is your favorite section in the Children’s Zoo?

I train the foxes in our Desert/Prairie section of the Children’s Zoo, which is also my favorite section!

What sort of advice would you give to anyone wanting to enter the zoo field?
Science, science, science.

What is your favorite animal story?
Too many to pick from! We work with the most amazing creatures! I have seen such intelligence and such determination in them. They bring tears to my eyes on a regular basis – mostly in awe of them.

If you have any questions or comments for Suzanne, feel free to post it in the comment section!

How Did Earth Day Start?

Rochelle Joseph — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 13:15:51 +0000

Ever wonder how Earth Day started? Back in 1962, there was a senator from Wisconsin named Gaylord Nelson, who was bothered by the fact that conservation and the environment was just not on the national political agenda. He approached then Attorney General Robert Kennedy and his brother, President John F. Kennedy and suggested they start a conservation tour to raise awareness on topic. They indeed went to 11 states in the fall of 1963.

While that tour didn’t do much on Capitol Hill, the idea germinated in many small ways, and soon enough, a grass roots movement was in motion.

Senator Nelson continued to speak any chance he could to fan the flame, with his goal being to bring these concerns — not just his but the people’s — to the spotlight. It took seven years but ultimately it culminated in first Earth Day, held on April 22, 1970! That took a lot of patience and dedication on his part, and by all the citizens who, one by one, participated to bring it about.

Senator Nelson will forever be known as the founder of Earth Day (how cool is that?!?), but it’s the people who joined in and got behind the cause that made it happen. Folks just like me and you. It’s really important to remember that our actions, even small ones, can actually make a difference.

This year marks the 40th Earth Day and we’re is putting on a Party for the Planet this coming Saturday and Sunday, April 24th and 25th. Besides all the great things you’d normally do when you visit the Zoo, we’ll have all kinds of extra activities and a plethora of Meet the Keeper talks, sponsored by Target, that have environmental themes.

We hope you’ll come to enjoy the day we have planned for Waste Management’s Earth Day at the Houston Zoo and leave inspired to do what you can for the good of our planet and all the beautiful animals that live here with us!

Written by Rochelle Joseph. Please visit my personal animal and nature blog at www.naturegirrrl.blogspot.com

Image from The Nelson Papers

Tips for Your Spring Break Visit

Rochelle Joseph — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:36:59 +0000

The sun is out, the temperature is lovely. Spring is upon us… and so is Spring Break. It’s a perfect time to visit the zoo. And lots and lots of people will be here. Below I’ve listed some tips to make your trip go smoothly.

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE:

There tend to be lines on this busy week — but if you come with tickets, you can walk right in. And both gates will be open: our main entrance (the one off our parking lot at the edge of Hermann Park) and the West Gate off Cambridge (formerly MacGregor), right across from the Ben Taub Hospital.

You can buy Zoo tickets at the courtesy booth at any Fiesta (33 locations). PLUS you get a discount on the price: $9 for adults, $6 per child!

Buy your Zoo tickets in advance and at a DISCOUNT at Fiesta Marts!

The good news is, there is a Fiesta within 5 minutes of us — at 4200 San Jacinto. You can pop in there for tickets the day of, in leiu of our gates, and save $$ to boot.

BETTER YET, BECOME A MEMBER!

Become a member. Oh so many advantages to this one! First of all, it completely eliminates the need for tickets. And, there is a special Members Express Entrance at both gates so you can breeze right past normal admission lines. You get a 10% discount in the gift shop, discounted prices on many events like our fabulous Feast for the Beast, and any Behind The Scenes Tours and even discounts for your friends and families tickets. Because of all this, you’ll find membership easily pays for itself!

CLICK HERE right now to become a member on the spot, and see a full list of the benefits.

There will be a membership booth at both exits during spring break (3/12-21) so you can join upon arrival. TIP: If you’re thinking about this option for a spring break visit, I’d suggest you join online.

ARRIVE EARLY IN THE DAY

The parking lot can fill up quickly on a week like this, so coming early is your best bet. Not to worry though — here’s several alternatives:

CARPOOL

Get together with the family next door, your best pals, a group from church or school… BONUS: Be green and feel good!

USE ALTERNATE PARKING LOTS

1. Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza at 6400 Fannin. This is an large lot and so close to our West Gate. Start at level 6 and above. And there are 3 entrances off both Main and Fannin, just past Cambridge (formerly MacGregor). Take the elevators to Level One and you can be at our West gate in minutes.

2. Park Plaza Hospital’s Garage on Hermann Drive at San Jacinto. This is essentially on the other side of the park from the main medical center, east of the Museum of Natural History. You can enjoy a pleasant walk through Hermann Park (past squirrels, ducks, picnic benches and sparkling waters) to the zoo’s main entrance.

PARK ELSEWHERE AND RIDE THE RAILS

The METRORail is fast, clean, air conditioned and will drop you right at the zoo… Did I mention that it’s also FUN!?! Make it part of the day’s adventure.

1) Why not park downtown at any theater district parking lot? Then it’s a short few blocks to the Main Street Square stop. Tickets are available at easy-to-use kiosks right on the platform or can be bought in advance at most grocery stores (Kroger, HEB, Foodtown, Fiesta, etc) and other locations. CLICK HERE to find Metro ticket sale locations near you.

2) From the South, catch METRORail at the Fannin South Park & Ride lot, located at 1604 West Bellfort (between Knight and Fannin).

TWO METRORail STOPS SERVE THE ZOO

1) The closest is the Memorial Hermann Hospital/Houston Zoo stop at the Texas Medical Center — at Cambridge (formerly MacGregor) and Main. You can walk along the sidewalk on the Hermann Park side and enter through our West Gate in minutes. That is directly across from Ben Taub Hospital.

2) The stop past #1 is called Hermann Park/Rice U which is at the light of Fannin and Sunset. Walk directly across Fannin into Hermann Park. From there you can walk in either direction around the Park to either Zoo entrance gate. If you want to reserve your legs for zoo grounds, you can just cross Fannin and immediately find a stop for the charming Hermann train.

The Hermann Park Train

Board when it comes along and enjoy the short jog to Kinder Station, which is right at the Zoo’s Main Entrance. Those who board the train should pay for that ride at Kinder station. Tickets are $3 per person; children under 11 months free and $5 for all day rides.

CLICK HERE for train hours and more information about Hermann Park.

CLICK HERE for a METROrail map — this one is made to download to carry with you.

OR, HOP ON A BUS

There are several lines that serve the Houston Zoo, Hermann Park and the medical center area. Here is a list:

1 Hospital
2 Bellaire
4 Beechnut
8 South Main
34 Montrose Crosstown
26/27 Inner/Outer Loop

CLICK HERE for more information.

METROrail TICKETS

You can save $1 per zoo ticket when buying tickets at the zoo admission booths by presenting your bus or rail ticket.

While a METROrail ticket is only $1.25 per person, you can CLICK HERE to learn about some discounts for students, seniors, medicare cardholders and the disabled.

RIDE YOUR BIKE

If you live in the inner loop, this could be a nice way to get here. Reduce your carbon footprint, increase your exercise, and enjoy the great outdoors! Don’t forget that city busses have bike carrying programs if you are coming from further out and would like to tool around on your bike before and after your zoo visit. CLICK HERE for information.

A way to bring your bike from outer areas via the Metro bus.

Bike racks dot Hermann Park and there are be more around the attendant museums and medical buildings. There’s also one at the train station in Hermann Park and a smaller rack outside our west gate.

DOWNLOAD OUR APP!

Don’t forget to download our FREE iPhone App before you come. It will be a great help, telling you all about the animals you’ll visit (just added tons of new stuff) and eliminating the need for a map or checking our kiosks to find anything from keeper talks to rest rooms to ice cream! WE LOVE THE APP!

For more information, CLICK HERE and HERE

Written by Rochelle Joseph. Please stop by my animal and nature blog at http://naturegirrrl.blogspot.com/

Photo credit: Thank you to Fiessta, Hermann Park.org and RideMetro.org for use of the photos above.