feature article - june 2007
Rays, sharks and koalas, oh my!
MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO this summer is hosting two special exhibits, featuring harmless sting rays and sharks and two Koalas on loan from the San Diego Zoo.
“Sting Ray & Shark Reef” features the sting rays that were such a hit with visitors to the zoo in 2005. This time, the exhibit also will include sharks. They will be featured in two separate touch pools for an up-close and interactive encounter. There’s no need to be afraid to touch any of the animals featured, as the sting rays are barbless, and the sharks are non-aggressive species. The exhibit is sponsored by Chase.
The sting rays, soft, and fun to touch, will be in an 11,000-gallon pool. Featured are the graceful Cownose Ray (their “front” has a dimple resembling a cow), and the Southern Red Sting Ray. That sting ray is found in the wild in the coastal habitats from New Jersey to Brazil, and throughout the Caribbean and northern Gulf of Mexico.
The sharks you’ll encounter are the Leopard Shark, known for its leopard-spot pattern, and the Horn Shark, which has a square-like, blunt head with high ridges that look a bit like horns.
The exhibit is $2 after regular zoo admission, and food for the animals also is available for purchase.
“Koalas!” offers visitors the chance to see Bamba and Muuri, two male koalas. Born at the San Diego Zoo in 2004, Bamba and Muuri each have their own tree to enjoy and several varieties of eucalyptus leaves flown in daily for them. Koala “Animals in Action” talks will be held throughout the summer at 11 a.m. daily at the outdoor Australian Walkabout.
The zoo is located at 10001 W. Bluemound Rd. Zoo Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday and holidays. Admission is $10.50 for adults, $7.50 for juniors and $9.50 for seniors. Children 2 and under are free. Parking is $9. For more information, phone 771-3040 or visit www.milwaukeezoo.org
Copyright 2000-2007 Key Milwaukee Magazine, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
No part may be reproduced without written permission.
KEY Milwaukee is distributed monthly in hotels, motels, visitor's centers, corporations and retail stores in Southeastern Wisconsin and on the Internet at www.keymilwaukee.com. It is a KEY Magazine, licensed by KEY Magazines, Inc.
KEY Milwaukee makes every effort to maintain the accuracy of the information provided in the monthly magazine and website, but assumes no responsibility for errors, changes and omissions.
Website design, maintenance and hosting by
... when it's time to establish an Internet presence.