Posted on: Saturday, September 17, 2005
Rediscover the zoo
By Zenaida Serrano
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Two-year-old Alyssa Brouwers of Kaimuki takes a closer look at a llama, with a boost from her mother, Joyce Brouwers, at the petting zoo area on Wednesday. The zoo also has a daily elephant encounter program and twilight tours featuring its nocturnal denizens, such as hippos and hyenas.
JOAQUIN SIOPACK | The Honolulu Advertiser
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HONOLULU ZOO At the corner of Kapahulu and Kaläkaua avenues 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily Admission: $6 visitors 13 and older; $4 kamaçäina (I.D. required); $1 children 6-12; free for keiki 5 and younger 971-7171 or honoluluzoo.org Also: The parking-lot entrance is on Kapahulu Avenue; cost is 25 cents an hour. |
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TyTy the francois langur, Whoop the spotted hyena and Squirt the giraffe are among the colorful characters at the Honolulu Zoo.
With more than 1,200 birds, mammals and reptiles living throughout the grounds of the 42-acre landmark in Waikiki, it's likely you haven't seen all this animal sanctuary has to offer.
So why not spend today rediscovering the zoo?
To get the most out of the experience, get a map of the grounds at honoluluzoo.org (click on "Zoo Info," then "Visitor Info") or at the zoo entrance, and plan out your route; staff members are also available to direct you to exhibits, said assistant director Tommy Higashino.
Then take a leisurely stroll. "It takes about an hour and a half to walk around," Higashino said.
Some attractions to consider:
Bird exhibit. Two of the newest members of the zoo family are young ground hornbills named Kitoto, hatched Sept. 4 last year, and Najuma, hatched March 23. The ground hornbills — turkey-sized carnivores with black feathers, red patches on their faces and long black bills — in the exhibit "are very popular because our male likes to put on a display carrying around food, and they have really nice, long eyelashes," Higashino said. Find them on the makai side of the birds exhibit, near the nene exhibit.
Elephant encounter. Every day at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., zookeepers are on hand at the elephant exhibit to give talks about the large, herbivorous mammals. You won't get a chance to pet the two female inhabitants — Mari and Vaigai — but you'll definitely get to see them up close.
Children's Zoo. Here's a chance to meet and pet domestic animals, including Lani Moo, Meadow Gold Dairy's ambassador of good health and nutrition. Other critters include Hoku the miniature horse, assorted pygmy goats, llamas and pot-bellied pigs. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Picnic grounds. Coolers and outside food are welcome on zoo grounds, so feel free to bring lunch or snacks to enjoy on a break from your stroll. But remember: Do not bring alcoholic beverages and be sure to properly dispose of all trash.
Twilight Tour. Get an after-hours glimpse of the zoo's nocturnal creatures, such as hyenas, hippos and porcupines. The narrated walking tour, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, is followed by a light snack. The cost is $12 for adults and $8 for ages 4 to 12 ($10 and $7 for zoo members). Reservations are recommended as space is limited. Call 926-3191.
Reach Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com.
