The construction portion of the David Traylor Zoo’s multi-million dollar Oasis Capital Campaign has officially begun.
The zoo hosted a private groundbreaking ceremony Thursday morning for its new Laughing Kookaburra exhibit with a limited number of individuals on hand due to COVID-19. In attendance were Karen Sommers and Jim Wayman of ESB Financial, the exhibit’s sponsor, as well as Emporia Friends Of the Zoo Board President Sharon Tidwell, Oasis Campaign Co-Chair Duane Henrikson and Zoo Director Lisa Keith.
Keith anticipates work on the exhibit should be complete by the first of June, at which time they plan to continue on with the next two projects on the schedule.
Keith says while it is regrettable that the zoo is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has allowed construction work to proceed at a quicker pace.
Kookaburras are the largest member of the kingfisher family and are commonly found in areas of eastern Australia. While a member of the kingfisher family, Keith tells KVOE News Kookburras rarely consume fish and more commonly eat mice, snakes and insects.
