The David Traylor Zoo was full Sunday for the Emporia Friends of the Zoo’s annual Open House.
Zoo Director Lisa Keith says the partnership between the zoo and EFOZ has been fruitful for years.
EFOZ member and event co-chair Colleen Mitchell says the group takes pride in its partnership with the zoo and the city.
Outreach Coordinator Kelli Proehl says this has been a fun summer for zoo staff, in part because of recent births inside the zoo.
Besides touring the zoo exhibits, residents had a chance to see the off-exhibit area for the only time this year and get a glimpse of the new bison calf and hedgehog tenrecs. Residents could also see the latest construction progress at the Hopkins Zoo Education Center, sign up for EFOZ memberships, see the zoo’s ambassador animals, take part in water activities through the Emporia Fire Department and ride the Sertoma Club miniature train.
With construction ongoing at the Zoo Education Center, Keith hinted at a possible botanical garden space during Sunday’s on-air broadcast on KVOE. Last week, Keith mentioned fundraising will reopen to build a new river otter exhibit as supply costs continue to rise.
Photos and video by Chuck Samples/KVOE News
