FORT WORTH, Texas – The Fort Worth Zoo’s seventh annual Beastro is scheduled for Friday, June 7, 2013, from 7:30 to midnight. Proceeds from this premier tasting and music event support the Zoo’s local and international wildlife conservation and education efforts.

Beastro features the finest area restaurants stationed throughout the Zoo serving sample appetizers, entrées and desserts. In addition to the delectable cuisine, the event will feature open bars throughout the park and live music entertainment. This year’s headline entertainment is ‘80s band Starship, known for such classic hits as “We Built This City,” “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” and “Sara.” Several animal exhibits are expected to remain open until sunset, and the Zoo’s Wild Wonders Outreach animals will greet this year’s partygoers.

Beastro tickets, $99 for non-members and $89 for Zoo members, include all food, drinks and entertainment. VIP tickets, $150 each, include early event access at 7 p.m. and a private bar in the VIP area. All tickets are available for purchase online through noon on Friday, June 7. The Zoo’s onsite box office will open at 6 the evening of the event with a limited number of tickets available for $110 (general admission) and $160 (VIP).

To date, the 2013 participating restaurants include: AVOCA Coffee, Billy Bob’s Texas, Blue Mesa Grill, Campisi’s Fort Worth, Cast Iron at the Omni Fort Worth, Central Market, Chadra Mezza & Grill, Chef Point Cafe, Corner Bakery Cafe, Daddy Jack’s Lobster & Chowder House, Fletcher’s Corny Dogs, Gypsy Scoops, H3 Ranch, Hot Chocolates, Kona Ice of Fort Worth, La Madeleine, McKinley’s Fine Bakery and Café, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Olenjack’s Grille, Red Jett Sweets, Rodeo Goat, Salsa Límon, Texas de Brazil, The Capital Grille Fort Worth, The Lunch Box, The Tavern Bar & Grill, Tillman’s Roadhouse Fort Worth, Tokyo Cafe, Twin Creeks Cafe, Whole Foods Market and Winslow’s Wine Cafe. More restaurants are being added daily, so visit the Zoo’s Beastro website for the most current list.

Attire for Beastro is summer chic, and comfortable shoes are highly recommended, as the event requires walking throughout the Zoo. All guests must be at least 21 years old to attend, no exceptions.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

The nationally acclaimed Fort Worth Zoo has been ranked the No. 5 zoo in the nation by USA Travel Guide and the No. 1 attraction in the DFW Metroplex by Zagat survey. The Zoo is home to more than 500 animal species and a world-famous reptile collection, housed in the brand new Museum of Living Art (MOLA). The institution’s focus on education and conservation is second to none, enhancing the lives of more than 1 million visitors a year.

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For further information, contact:
Alexis Wilson, Communications Director
awilson@fortworthzoo.org

Katie Giangreco, Public Relations Assistant Manager
kgiangreco@fortworthzoo.org

FORT WORTH, Texas – On Wednesday, March 13, the Fort Worth Zoo set an all-time single day attendance record: Zoo officials determined that 26,370 guests visited the park. The previous single-day attendance record, 25,804, was set on half-price Wednesday in March 2010.

Zoo management attributes the record-setting attendance to the Zoo’s ever-increasing profile both regionally and nationally, half-price Wednesday admission discount, Dallas and Fort Worth ISDs’ spring break week and sunny but cool weather conditions.

“North Texas families once again turned out in great numbers,” said Michael Fouraker, Fort Worth Zoo executive director. “Nearly 117,000 people visited the Zoo over the nine-day spring break period, giving us not only a record-breaking Wednesday but also a healthy attendance for the rest of the week. We consistently heard from our guests that the experience was enjoyable. We’re proud to be a crowd favorite and appreciate the support this community gives us.”

In conjunction with the Fort Worth Police Department, the Zoo planned several alternate routes beyond the standard I-30 to University Drive exit and provided parking in several auxiliary lots surrounding the Zoo during spring break week.

The nationally acclaimed Fort Worth Zoo has been ranked the No. 5 zoo in the nation by USA Travel Guide and the No. 1 attraction in the DFW Metroplex by Zagat survey. The Zoo is home to more than 500 animal species and a world-famous reptile collection, housed in the brand new Museum of Living Art (MOLA). The institution’s focus on education and conservation is second to none, enhancing the lives of more than 1 million visitors a year.

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For further information, contact:
Alexis Wilson, Communications Director
awilson@fortworthzoo.org

Katie Giangreco, Public Relations Assistant Manager
kgiangreco@fortworthzoo.org

FORT WORTH, Texas – Someone told me it’s all happening at the zoo. I do believe it; I do believe it’s true. Really, It’s All Happening at the Fort Worth Zoo. With more than 7,000 animals in exhibits spread across 64 acres, the top-ranked Fort Worth Zoo is set to welcome more than 100,000 North Texans during the nine-day spring break of March 9 to 17.

The Fort Worth Zoo has adopted the popular Simon and Garfunkel tune “At the Zoo” as its spring break theme song and encourages guests to share their favorite zoo/animal/jungle-related songs on the Fort Worth Zoo’s Facebook page.

“Thousands of families visit the Fort Worth Zoo during spring break, giving everyone a little time together in the car,” said Alexis Wilson, Fort Worth Zoo communications director. “While they are planning what to see and where to go in the Zoo, we want them to also discuss their favorite animal songs. From ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ to ‘Hey Hey We’re the Monkeys,’ pop culture has given us too many zoo and animal-related songs to count, and we want hear our guests’ favorites.”

For all things spring break-related at the Fort Worth Zoo, the Zoo’s website has a page titled, “It’s All Happening at the Fort Worth Zoo.” Click here for more information.

“Just a fine and fancy ramble to the zoo … But you can take a cross-town bus”

For the ninth year, The T and the Fort Worth Zoo are offering Zoo visitors inexpensive relief to typical spring break traffic and parking. Starting Saturday, March 9 through Sunday, March 17, 2013, take a ride on the Safari Shuttle, provided by The T. The Safari Shuttle bus will run from Bus Bay A, adjacent to the Trinity Railway Express platform at The T’s downtown Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC), to and from the Fort Worth Zoo’s main parking lot entrance during spring break.

The Safari Shuttle will operate an express service to and from the Zoo. Trinity Railway Express (TRE) passengers from Dallas and the Mid-Cities may also conveniently catch the Safari Shuttle from the ITC at no extra charge.

The T’s round-trip Day Pass to ride the Safari Shuttle is $3.50 for adults, $1.75 for seniors 65 and older or with transit agency reduced ID card, children 18 and under, and free for children under age 5. Zoo visitors arriving by the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) train may ride the Safari Shuttle from the ITC free of charge by using their TRE day pass ticket or with a valid weekly, monthly or annual regional pass.

The Safari Shuttle’s route is from the ITC at 1001 Jones Street in downtown Fort Worth to Colonial Parkway, just a short walk from the Zoo’s main entrance. The Safari Shuttle will run every 30 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 9 through Sunday, March 17, 2013. The first shuttle leaves the ITC at 9:30 a.m. and the last shuttle leaves the Zoo at 6 p.m. For specific time schedules and to get more information, please call The T’s Customer Service Staff at 817-215-8600 or visit The T’s website.

The Fort Worth Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $12 for adults, $9 for seniors and children (ages 3 to 12), and toddlers 2 and under are FREE. Admission is half-price every Wednesday.

The nationally acclaimed Fort Worth Zoo has been ranked the No. 5 zoo in the nation by USA Travel Guide and the No. 1 attraction in the DFW Metroplex by Zagat survey. The Zoo is home to more than 500 animal species and a world-famous reptile collection, housed in the brand new Museum of Living Art (MOLA). The institution’s focus on education and conservation is second to none, enhancing the lives of more than 1 million visitors a year.

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For further information, contact:
Alexis Wilson, Communications Director
awilson@fortworthzoo.org

Katie Giangreco, Public Relations Assistant Manager
kgiangreco@fortworthzoo.org

FORT WORTH, Texas — Through both weekends of spring break this year, The T and the Fort Worth Zoo are offering Zoo visitors inexpensive relief to typical spring break traffic and parking. Starting Saturday, March 9 through Sunday, March 17, 2013, take a ride on the Safari Shuttle, provided by The T. The Safari Shuttle bus will run from Bus Bay A, adjacent to the Trinity Railway Express platform at The T’s downtown Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC), to and from the Fort Worth Zoo’s main parking lot entrance during spring break.

The Safari Shuttle will operate an express service to and from the Zoo. Trinity Railway Express (TRE) passengers from Dallas and the Mid-Cities may also conveniently catch the Safari Shuttle from the ITC at no extra charge.

The T’s round-trip Day Pass to ride the Safari Shuttle is $3.50 for adults, $1.75 for seniors 65 and older or with transit agency reduced ID card, children 18 and under, and free for children under age 5. Zoo visitors arriving by the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) train may ride the Safari Shuttle from the ITC free of charge by using their TRE day pass ticket or with a valid weekly, monthly or annual regional pass.

The Safari Shuttle’s route is from the ITC at 1001 Jones Street in downtown Fort Worth to Colonial Parkway, just a short walk from the Zoo’s main entrance. The Safari Shuttle will run every 30 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 9 through Sunday, March 17, 2013. The first shuttle leaves the ITC at 9:30 a.m. and the last shuttle leaves the Zoo at 6 p.m. For those who wish to park and ride from the downtown area, paid parking is available across the street from the ITC. The ITC also has a drive-through lane for personal vehicles to drop off and pick up riders. For specific time schedules and to get more information, please call The T’s Customer Service Staff at 817-215-8600 or visit The T’s website, www.The-T.com.

The Fort Worth Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $12 for adults, $9 for seniors and children (ages 3 to 12), and toddlers 2 and under are FREE. Admission is half-price every Wednesday. For more information, click here.

The nationally acclaimed Fort Worth Zoo has been ranked the No. 5 zoo in the nation by USA Travel Guide and the No. 1 attraction in the DFW Metroplex by Zagat survey. The Zoo is home to more than 500 animal species and a world-famous reptile collection, housed in the Museum of Living Art (MOLA). The institution’s focus on education and conservation is second to none, enhancing the lives of more than 1 million visitors a year.

The T (the Fort Worth Transportation Authority) provides public transportation to meet the mobility needs of nearly nine million passengers a year on buses, trolleys, vanpools and the Trinity Railway Express within Tarrant County, The T is also developing Tex Rail, a new commuter rail planned with 10 stations from SW Fort Worth to DFW Airport. A regional transportation authority of Texas, The T is governed by a nine-member board of directors appointed by the Fort Worth City Council and Tarrant County Commissioners Court.

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For further information, contact:
Alexis Wilson, Communications Director
awilson@fortworthzoo.org

Katie Giangreco, Public Relations Assistant Manager
kgiangreco@fortworthzoo.org

FORT WORTH, Texas – Run wild for conservation at the Fort Worth Zoo on Saturday, April 20.
The 16th annual Zoo Run, presented by Terminix, supports the Zoo’s wildlife conservation and education around the world, and features a Party for the Planet, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ national Earth Day celebration.

Zoo Run includes a timed 5K and 5K Fun Run as well as a 1K Fun Run. The races will take place on an all-new USA Track and Field-certified course throughout the Zoo and beautiful surrounding neighborhoods.

All pre-registered runners receive a 2013 Zoo Run T-shirt, one complimentary admission pass to the Fort Worth Zoo, food, drinks and activities after the race including an awards ceremony and a Wild Wonders live animal presentation. T-shirts and timing devices are only guaranteed for pre-registered runners. School groups and teams must register by March 29.

Entry Fees & Registration

Individual: Early $23, Late $28 (after March 29), Race Day $33
School Groups (K-12): $18 per person, 10-person minimum by March 29
Teams: $20 per person, 5-person minimum by March 29
Timing Device (optional): $3
Zoo Members receive a $2 discount

Race Times

Timed 5K and 5K Fun Run: 8 a.m.
1K Fun Run: 9:20 a.m.

For more information and to register for Zoo Run, click here.

PLEASE NOTE: On the day of the event, Colonial Parkway will not be accessible from University Drive. Please enter the Zoo’s main parking lot via Forest Park Boulevard. In honor of this year’s Party for the Planet celebration, the Zoo encourages all participants to “go green” and carpool to the Zoo, if possible. Please allow as much as an hour for parking.

The nationally acclaimed Fort Worth Zoo has been ranked the No. 5 zoo in the nation by USA Travel Guide and the No. 1 attraction in the DFW Metroplex by Zagat survey. The Zoo is home to more than 500 animal species and a world-famous reptile collection, housed in the brand new Museum of Living Art (MOLA). The institution’s focus on education and conservation is second to none, enhancing the lives of more than 1 million visitors a year.

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For further information, contact:
Alexis Wilson, Communications Director
awilson@fortworthzoo.org

Katie Giangreco, Public Relations Assistant Manager
kgiangreco@fortworthzoo.org

FORT WORTH, Texas – Show your sweetheart how much you care by adopting a Fort Worth Zoo penguin in his or her honor. Adopting one or both of the Zoo’s penguin species (African and rockhopper) for your lovebird will contribute to the care of the Zoo’s penguins for one year. Packaged in a festive Valentine’s-themed animal carrier box, adoptions start at $40 and include a personalized adoption certificate, plush penguin and more.

The Fort Worth Zoo’s wildly popular Dinner with the Penguins will be held Thursday, February 14 and Friday, February 15 in the Zoo’s Portraits of the Wild Art Gallery. Dinner includes the Love Birds adoption package, seated dinner, open bar, a meet-and-greet with the Zoo’s penguins and more.

Penguin Pals — $40

Choose between African or rockhopper penguin species

• Personalized adoption certificate
• Animal fact sheet
• 4×6 color photo of your adopted penguin species
• Penguin plush animal
• Packaged in a cute Valentine’s Day-themed animal carrier box

Love Birds — $75

Adoption includes both African and rockhopper species

• Personalized adoption certificate
• Animal fact sheets
• Two 4×6 color photos of your adopted penguin species
• Two penguin plush animals
• Two general Zoo admission tickets
• Packaged in a cute Valentine’s Day-themed animal carrier box

Orders must be received by February 10 to ensure mail delivery by February 14. Otherwise, packages may be picked up in person at the Fort Worth Zoo’s Administration Building.

Dinner with the Penguins — $195

Thursday, February 14 or Friday, February 15, at 7 p.m. in Fort Worth Zoo’s Portraits of the Wild Art Gallery. Invitation for two (must be 21 or older) to Dinner with the Penguins includes:

• All benefits included in the Love Birds package
• Passed hors d’oeurves and seated dinner
• Open bar
• Meet-and-greet with the Zoo’s penguins
• Photo with a Zoo penguin
• Interactive game — we’ll need audience participation!

Space is limited! Reserve your place at Dinner with the Penguins by February 7.

To order an adoption or purchase dinner tickets, click here.

The nationally acclaimed Fort Worth Zoo has been ranked the No. 5 zoo in the nation by USA Travel Guide and the No. 1 attraction in the DFW Metroplex by Zagat survey. The Zoo is home to more than 500 animal species and a world-famous reptile collection, housed in the brand new Museum of Living Art (MOLA). The institution’s focus on education and conservation is second to none, enhancing the lives of more than 1 million visitors a year.

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For further information, contact:
Alexis Wilson, Communications Director
awilson@fortworthzoo.org

Katie Giangreco, Public Relations Assistant Manager
kgiangreco@fortworthzoo.org

FORT WORTH, Texas – Animal adoptions at the Fort Worth Zoo are the perfect gift for the animal lovers on your list. Adopt a ring-tailed lemur this holiday season and help provide its care and feeding for one year. Starting at just $40, the Fort Worth Zoo’s personalized holiday adoption packages are filled with unique photos, adoption certificate, a plush animal and more, delightfully arranged in an animal carrier box.

Choose from the following adoption packages:

$65

• Personalized adoption certificate
• Animal fact sheet
• One Zoo publication
• 4×6 color photo
• 12” plush lemur
• Two Zoo passes

$40

• Personalized adoption certificate
• Animal fact sheet
• One Zoo publication
• 4×6 color photo
• 12” plush lemur

$35 (for Zoo Members only)

• Personalized adoption certificate
• Animal fact sheet
• One Zoo publication4×6 color photo
• 12” plush lemur

Adoptions can be purchased online. Orders must be placed by end of business Wednesday, December 19 to ensure mail delivery by December 24. All orders being picked up must be placed by noon on Friday, December 21. Orders placed after noon on December 21 will be filled January 2. Please allow two days for processing.

The nationally acclaimed Fort Worth Zoo has been ranked the No. 5 zoo in the nation by USA Travel Guide and the No. 1 attraction in the DFW Metroplex by Zagat survey. The Zoo is home to more than 500 animal species and a world-famous reptile collection, housed in the brand new Museum of Living Art (MOLA). The institution’s focus on education and conservation is second to none, enhancing the lives of more than 1 million visitors a year.

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For further information, contact:
Alexis Wilson, Communications Director
awilson@fortworthzoo.org

Katie Giangreco, Public Relations Assistant Manager
kgiangreco@fortworthzoo.org

FORT WORTH, Texas – The Fort Worth Zoo’s family friendly Halloween celebration will continue as a daytime event, running from noon to 5 p.m. over two weekends — October 19-21 and October 26-28.

Boo at the Zoo, presented by Wells Fargo and Central Market, will feature many new carnival games, a tot spot, crafts and candy, and the most popular attraction: Zoo animals! Daytime event hours will make the entire Zoo open to Boo at the Zoo guests, allowing keepers to incorporate Boo-themed activities into the animal exhibits throughout the entire park. Zoo guests will also enjoy a Halloween-themed stage show featuring the Zoo’s Wild Wonders animals in the Outdoor Learning Theater.

The main portion of Boo at the Zoo—carnival games, crafts, tot spot and trick-or-treating—will take place at the Zoo’s Special Events Pavilions. Admission to the site is $3 per person. Other Halloween-themed animal enrichment throughout the park and the stage show can be enjoyed with the price of regular Zoo admission—$12 for adults, $9 for children ages 3-12, $9 for seniors ages 65 and up, and free for children 2 and under. Admission to the Boo event site is charged for all ages. Boo at the Zoo tickets will be available for purchase inside the Zoo. For more event information, click here.

The nationally acclaimed Fort Worth Zoo has been ranked the No. 5 zoo in the nation by USA Travel Guide and the No. 1 attraction in the DFW Metroplex by Zagat survey. The Zoo is home to more than 500 animal species and a world-famous reptile collection, housed in the brand new Museum of Living Art (MOLA). The institution’s focus on education and conservation is second to none, enhancing the lives of more than 1 million visitors a year.

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For further information, contact:
Alexis Wilson, Communications Director
awilson@fortworthzoo.org

Katie Giangreco, Public Relations Assistant Manager
kgiangreco@fortworthzoo.org

FORT WORTH, Texas – The first greater one-horned rhinoceros born in Texas now has a name: Asha. More than 3,300 Fort Worth Zoo Facebook fans chose from the five names selected by Zoo staff that reflected the baby rhino’s personality and heritage. Asha, Nepalese for “hope,” was the front-runner from the start, receiving more than half of the total votes.

Carrie Shiflet Ferguson was chosen as the grand prize winner of the naming contest. She was chosen randomly among the Facebook fans who voted for the winning name, and will receive a greater one-horned rhino adoption package and a family four-pack of admission tickets to the Fort Worth Zoo.

Asha, born August 16, 2012, has joined mother Shanti and sire Arun in the Fort Worth Zoo’s Asian Falls exhibit. The greater one-horned rhino is one of 43 endangered species at the Fort Worth Zoo. The Zoo’s greater one-horned rhinos are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan, a program created to manage a sustainable population of endangered species in AZA zoos. The International Rhino Foundation lists the greater one-horned rhino as endangered.

The Fort Worth Zoo has bred three of the five rhinoceros species: black, white and now the greater one-horned rhino. The Zoo currently exhibits black and greater one-horned rhinos.

The nationally acclaimed Fort Worth Zoo has been ranked the No. 5 zoo in the nation by USA Travel Guide and the No. 1 attraction in the DFW Metroplex by Zagat survey. The Zoo is home to more than 500 animal species and a world-famous reptile collection, housed in the brand new Museum of Living Art (MOLA). The institution’s focus on education and conservation is second to none, enhancing the lives of more than 1 million visitors a year.

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For further information, contact:
Alexis Wilson, Communications Director
awilson@fortworthzoo.org

Katie Giangreco, Public Relations Assistant Manager
kgiangreco@fortworthzoo.org

FORT WORTH, Texas – The Fort Worth Zoo welcomed a female greater one-horned rhinoceros on August 16, 2012. This birth, a major triumph for this endangered species, is the first at the Fort Worth Zoo and the first ever in Texas. Both mother and calf are doing well and can now be seen on exhibit in the Zoo’s Asian Falls exhibit.

The yet-to-be-named calf is the fifth successful offspring for her 25-year-old mother Shanti and the 27th for 22-year-old sire Arun. Breeding opportunities are few for males since female rhinos have a gestation period of 15 to 16 months and wait four years after giving birth before reproducing again. At birth, a young rhinoceros weighs an average 130 pounds.

The greater one-horned rhino is named for the single horn atop its head that measures between 8 and 24 inches. This rhinoceros species has two distinct skin folds on its body, giving it the appearance of wearing a suit of armor. Much of the skin on the rump and shoulder has raised circular bumps called tubercles. A mature male weighs about 2 tons; the female, slightly less than that.

The greater one-horned rhino is one of 43 endangered species at the Fort Worth Zoo. The Zoo’s greater one-horned rhinos are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan, a program created to manage a sustainable population of endangered species in AZA zoos. The International Rhino Foundation lists the greater one-horned rhino as endangered.

The Fort Worth Zoo has bred three of the five rhinoceros species: black, white and now the greater one-horned rhino. The Zoo currently exhibits black and greater one-horned rhinos.

“This birth is a tremendous milestone for the Fort Worth Zoo,” said Zoo Executive Director Michael Fouraker. “We are excited to continue our commitment to the conservation of this endangered species.”

Arun arrived at the Fort Worth Zoo in 1990 as a rare gift from the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation in Nepal. Shanti is on loan from the San Francisco Zoo.

Name the Baby!

In an effort to provide a name for the baby rhino that reflects her heritage and personality (the greater one-horned rhino is native to Nepal and India), Zoo staff carefully and thoughtfully selected a list of five names from which the public may choose. Voting will take place from August 30 through September 20 on the Fort Worth Zoo’s Facebook page. The name that receives the most votes will be the baby rhino’s name, and the grand prize winner will be determined by a random drawing among all entries of the “winning” name. The winner and winning name will be announced September 21.

The nationally ranked Fort Worth Zoo was recently ranked the number one attraction in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex by Zagat survey. Home to more than 500 animal species and a world-famous reptile collection, the Zoo supports conservation projects in more than 30 countries around the globe. The institution’s focus on education and conservation is second to none, enhancing the lives of more than 1 million visitors a year.

For further information, contact:
Alexis Wilson, Communications Director
awilson@fortworthzoo.org

Katie Giangreco, Public Relations Assistant Manager
kgiangreco@fortworthzoo.org