Krazy for Koalas and Kangaroos
My kids are big fans of koalas and kangaroos (well, pretty much anything with fur), so we couldn’t wait to experience the new summer exhibit, “Wild Australia,” at the San Antonio Zoo®. Two male koalas from the San Diego Zoo are vacationing in San Antonio for the summer, and our zoo has gone into “outback” mode with a new Australian Aviary, Roo-Walkabout, a Wild Australia game show, and Aussie snacks. You can also find Australia-themed merchandise just about everywhere you turn.
The new koala exhibit is located in the back of the zoo near the existing kangaroo exhibit. The zoo built a brand new, glass-enclosed structure for the koalas to provide the appropriate living environment for them. (I’m told the structure will house the tree kangaroos once the koalas head back to their home in San Diego at the end of the summer.) Staff from the San Diego Zoo accompanied the koalas on their journey to Texas to train the SA Zoo staff on all the specifics regarding koala care. The two adorable koalas are in separate enclosures and can usually be found munching on their beloved eucalyptus branches or napping the day away. Did you know that koalas sleep up to 21 hours per day?!
Our favorite part of the new Wild Australia exhibit was the Roo-Walkabout experience, where you can step inside an enclosure and pet kangaroos! The SA Zoo brought in 10 female kangaroos from a Wisconsin-based company (the same company that supplies the camels for Zoo Lights during the holiday season) for the petting zoo experience. About 25 people at a time are all
owed into the enclosure for a period of about five minutes with the kangaroos.
The Roo-Walkabout is located within the Kronkosky’s Tiny Tot Nature Spot. It is open daily from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. throughout the summer and has an added fee of $8 per person (ages two and under are free with a paid adult). We thought the extra fee was totally worth it, because how many opportunities do you have to get up close and personal with a kangaroo?! You won’t believe how soft they are!
A New Home for Kiddie Park
If these fluffy new marsupials aren’t enough to get you planning a zoo visit, did you know that Kiddie Park, the country’s oldest amusement park, which has been in the same location on Broadway since 1925, will soon have a new home just outside the SA Zoo? The new location will reportedly be to the right of the zoo entrance, adjacent to the San Antonio River, where a parking lot currently exists. Zoo tickets will not be required for entry into the amusement park.
Kiddie Park’s owners cite parking concerns as the main reason for the move. Parking has become increasingly difficult at Kiddie Park, as Broadway booms with new businesses. Kiddie Park’s last day at its current location will be July 4, and the staff hopes to have all rides moved and operational at their new location by the end of August. And, no worries! Kiddie Park has stated that all ticket booklets, red tickets, and Groupons will be accepted at the new location.
So, mates, hop on over to the San Antonio Zoo this summer for a wild time as you learn about the animals from down under, check petting a kangaroo off your bucket list, and take a spin on Kiddie Park’s classic rides at their new location with a view. Wild Australia is open through September 2.
