FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                          Media Contact:
                                                                                                            Zoological Society of Florida
                                                                                                            Cindy Castelblanco
                                                                                                            Public Relations Manager
                                                                                                            Office: 305-328-8811
                                                                                                            Cell: 305-793-9813
                                                                                                            cindyc@zsf.org

CAMEL RIDES, ZOOFARI CAMP, BABY ANIMALS, SUMMER DEALS & MORE DURING MIAMI METROZOO’S SUMMER 2008

MIAMI, FL May 23, 2008- From camel rides to adorable baby animals, Miami Metrozoo is offering guests an assortment of summer fun.  In mid-June, Humpy’s Camel Rides will open at the Mercantil Commercebank Children’s Zoo with $5 rides from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Bank of America Zoofari Summer Camp, that starts on June 16th, invites kids, ages 13 and under, to partake in fun-filled learning adventures through August 1st.  Our newest baby additions include Azizi the giraffe, a Giant Eland, pelicans, Dama gazelles and Red kangaroos.  Special summer deals will also be offered to help save our guests some money. 
From 9:00 am to 3:30 pm Monday-Friday, Bank of America Zoofari Summer Camp offers children live animal presentations, special zookeeper talks, the preparation of special treats and toys for the animals and more for $165 per week.  These weekly themed camps cover topics like helping endangered animals and investigating animal behavior. Special discounts and extended care are available.  Pre-registration is required by 5:00 pm on the Tuesday preceding the camp week the child will attend. 
No one should miss a chance to see our Zoo babies!  Azizi, our baby giraffe, is growing taller everyday.  For $2.00, you can feed his family at the Samburu Giraffe Feeding Station everyday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.  If you’ve never seen a baby Giant Eland, visit this adorable antelope.  Giant Elands are the largest of all antelopes.  We also have baby pelicans, Dama gazelles and Red kangaroos.  You can feed the pelicans for $1.00 at 10:30 am and 4:00 pm, near the front entrance of the Zoo.
If you’re looking to save some cash this summer, visit your local Miami-Dade County Publix supermarkets and buy a 2-liter Pepsi bottle with a neck hanger for a buy-one-get-one free coupon good for Zoo admission.  If you love grapes, visit your local grocer and buy Sunworld Grapes to receive a buy one get one free offer, as well.  Coupons will be available while supplies last. Also on every Saturday from June 1 – August 31, Florida residents with a valid Florida ID will receive $2 off a child admission and $4 off an adult admission.  All offers are not valid with any other discount or for any other private or special event. 
There are plenty of other things to do at the Zoo this summer.  You can see Reptiles: The Beautiful and The Deadly, the world’s largest traveling exhibit of its kind with live venomous lizards and snakes, crocodiles, and turtles.  It will remain open at Dr. Wilde’s World through August 10th.  If you’d rather not walk throughout the Zoo, you can hop on the air-conditioned Monorail for an aerial view of the Zoo, take a narrated Tram Tour or jump on a Safari Cycle.   If you want to keep cool, play in our three water play areas or in our cool misters.  Don’t miss The Wildlife Show at the Amphitheater three times daily or Diego’s Discovery Den Show at The Mercantil Commercebank Children’s Zoo.

Miami Metrozoo is located at 12400 SW 152 street; Miami, FL 33177. General Zoo Admission is: $13.95 per Adult and $9.95 per Child (3-12).  Hours are 9:30 am – 5:30 pm; ticket booths close at 4 pm.  For more information or summer camp registration, please visit www.miamimetrozoo.com or call 305-255-5551.

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