By Shawn Williams
One dollar was all it took for North Texas residents to enter one of the world’s finest zoo’s on Thursday. The Dallas Zoo held a Dollar Day promotion that brought out animal enthusiasts from across the area.
Tryniti Berry sits atop an elephant statue on her first visit to the Dallas Zoo
While many patrons took the DART Rail to Dallas Zoo station, others had to fight traffic brought about by the popular promotion. Yushondera Williams took her daughter Tryniti and nephew to the Dallas Zoo for the first time. They drove down from the Love Field area after hearing about Dollar Day on television Thursday morning.
“It’s good,” Williams said of her daughters first zoo visit, “but it’s very hot for them.” After an hour waiting to park, and four hours in heat that reached 97 degrees (102 degree heat index) it was time to head home. “She’s tired,” Williams said of her daughter.
Beverly Chatmon of Lancaster and her family had luck on their side when they drove onto the lot. “We got a great parking space,” said Chatmon. She grew up in Dallas and visited the zoo in her elementary days. Not only has the zoo changed since then, but she’s noticed the upgrades since her sons were junior zoo keeper just a few years ago. “The animals seem more lively,” Chatmon said as she offered us cantaloupe. She was visiting with her mother, son, daughter as well as her niece and nephew.
Jenny (left) and Gypsy cooling out in their new home at the Dallas Zoo
Many patrons were eager to get their first look at the Giants of the Savannah exhibit, which opened Memorial Day weekend. Jenny the Elephant and five of her cohorts were cooling themselves off by splashing water and going for a swim. Elephant keeper Doug Terranova said the elephants are making a smooth transition to their new surroundings.
“Everybody has adapted pretty well,” says Terranova, “there’s a lot more natural enrichment.” Terranova pointed to the sand piles, rocks, waterm which along with the added space have benefited the animals immensely. “We’ve been able to mentally stimulate them more,” he said.
One of the elephants stared at the activity taking place on the other side of the gate, where there where zebras, ostriches and giraffes were mingling together. Once all of the animals have become acclimated with their new home the elephants will be allowed to roam with the others.
The giraffe feeding station has proven to be very popular with visitors, as children and their parents lined up to feed the tallest of all living land animals. The giraffes can walk up and take lettuce right out of the hands of the little ones, making it one of the most interactive of all the exhibits. Only one giraffe was feeding this afternoon in part because the others were full. But the giraffe keepers also said the animals still haven’t adjusted to the crowds that are so anxious to see them.
Heading out on the train was just as crowded as the trip in and as we got on, others were still getting off. Dollar Day was a smashing success and a great first impression for many new visitors.
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