Build it and they will come!

Photo by Kelli O’Brien

The A Step Into Africa Exhibit was unveiled last week and area families have been visiting the Zoo by the thousands! We’ve heard exclamations of joy and wonder every day as children encounter the magnificent lions and explore the unique interactive areas. The stationary double-decker Safari Bus, embedded into the side of the Lion Exhibit, provides a distinctive vantage point for viewing our newest felines. I am so pleased that our 2012 member T-shirt features this one-of-a-kind observation area!

It’s a terrific year to be a Seneca Park Zoo member. Join or rejoin now through May 31, 2012 and you’ll enjoy 13 months of membership for the price of 12 months. Our members have taken advantage of Express Check-In since the grand opening and will continue to enjoy this benefit all summer long. Families with a current member card and photo ID reach lions as fast as possible.

Strong public and private partnerships allowed us to build this African exhibit. I think your family will want to stop by the Zoo again and again this year. Come visit us and join today!

- Karen Panosian, Visitor Services Director

Lions will be unveiled May 17th

Our highly-anticipated new exhibit, A Step Into Africa, will be unveiled later this week on Thursday, May 17th!

I want your family to be ready for the only exhibit of its kind to focus on the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, Africa. While embarking on an African safari right here in Rochester, you’ll be able to learn how humans and animals cohabitate in this unique conservation area. Join or rejoin (membership expired more than 6 months ago) the Zoo now through May 31, 2012 and you’ll enjoy 13 months of membership for the price of 12 months.

Our Zoo members can take advantage of Member Express Check-In, too. This benefit allows families with a current Seneca Park Zoo member card and photo ID to enter the Zoo quickly and to reach this exciting exhibit as fast as possible. Don’t delay or you’ll miss out on this special offer. Be ready to hear the “roar!”

- Karen Panosian, Visitor Services Director

Be ready for LIONS!

Photo by Grayce Scott

We’re counting down the days until the opening of the A Step Into Africa Exhibit on May 17th. Three African lions and exciting interactive areas will be unveiled and families, like yours, will be reintroduced to our beloved African elephants and troop of olive baboons.

Join or rejoin the Zoo now through May 31st and you’ll enjoy 13 months of membership for the price of 12 months. We’re enhancing your family’s Zoo experience, but we’re keeping membership dues the same in 2012. What a great value! The Member Express Check-In benefit makes this special offer even more appealing, since we anticipate large and enthusiastic crowds this summer. For new members or the dedicated families who renew each year, this is a reminder for employees and retirees to check our Web site for a list of companies that support the Zoo and to see if you’re eligible for $5 or $10 off!

Watch for a new insert in the Sunday, May 6^th issue of the Democrat & Chronicle that includes specifics about our various levels and an easy step-by-step application form. It also features photos of lions, new exhibit areas and this year’s Summer Programs schedule. You may also call the Member Office at (585) 336-7212, charge online or stop at the Zoo’s Front Gate to take advantage of this special today.

Our Penguin Circle level members are invited to an exclusive evening preview of A Step Into Africa on May 15th, so you may want to consider joining or upgrading at that higher level. Membership is a unique gift for Mom or Grandma on Mother’s Day, as well. Whatever you decide is right for your family, Zoo membership is the best way to be ready for the unveiling of lions. And your family will benefit all year long!

- Karen Panosian, Visitor Services Director

Members: Don’t miss our Annual Meeting

Photo by Pam Cowan

Current Seneca Park Zoo members should have received an invitation in the mail to the Seneca Park Zoo Society’s Annual Meeting. Held at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 19th, the meeting will take place in the Eagle’s Landing Pavilion.

You’ll learn what’s happening at their Zoo while you enjoy some light refreshments.; the business portion of the meeting will include the election of new members to our Board of Trustees. Whether or not you can attend, please complete the RSVP card we sent you in the mail and return it by May 4th. For questions, call (585) 336-7217.

We appreciate the generous support of you as a member and hope to see you all at the Annual Meeting.

- LaDonna Court, Membership Coordinator

What do Penguin Circle Level members know?

Photo by Shawn Dowd

They know that their level of membership is the best value! In addition to all the fantastic benefits their family receives as a Zoo member, they can also take advantage of extra benefits at this higher level of support. Perks at this level include two additional guests each visit, two member exclusive T-shirts, additional discount opportunities at the ZooShop and some special events. We offer a behind-the-scenes activity at Night at the Zoo in July and August and an invitation to a Penguin Circle Level morning event on Saturday, July 14th.

However, the EXTRA benefit in 2012 is that these families are invited to a preview of A Step Into Africa from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15th. The Zoo will be open to these families to get a sneak peak of our new lions and the highly anticipated state-of-the-art exhibit before it is unveiled to the public. Our new Crater Canteen and seasonal ZooShop kiosk will be open to purchase food or souvenirs. It’s our way of showing these members that we value their generous support.

So when you visit us during Spring Break week or anytime before May 15th, please consider joining, renewing or upgrading to the Penguin Circle Level of membership for only $135. Check out our list of supporters to see if your employer makes you eligible for one of our membership discounts, too. We’re also currently offering 13 months for the price of 12 at this level and levels below for new and -re-joining members. What a great value!

Invitations for the May 15th preview event went out last week to our current Penguin Circle members, but there’s time to include your family, if you chose to join or renew at this higher level. For details, please call (585) 336-7212 or inquire at the Zoo’s Front Gate.

Be in the know. Take advantage or our best value. Be a Penguin Circle Level member!

- Karen Panosian, Visitor Services Director

Thinking about spring? Think the Zoo!

Photo by Kelli O'Brien

Looking for a unique gift for a spring holiday? Is your family traveling during Spring Break Week? Are you looking for family fun during your spring “stay”cation? Think Zoo!

There’s no substitute for good chocolate, but a Zoo membership gift certificate is a wonderful addition to any Easter basket. Celebrate an April birthday or a baby shower to honor the newest arrival to your loved one’s family with this unique gift idea. Or take advantage of our special of 13 months for the price of 12 (valid through May 31. 2012). Your support of the Zoo and your thoughtfulness will keep on giving to the lucky recipient all year long.

iStock.com

If your family is traveling during Spring Break Week and you want to take advantage of our reciprocal agreement discounts at other zoos or aquariums, please contact us this week to join, rejoin or renew your Seneca Park Zoo membership. I always remind our members that even a day trip to nearby Buffalo or Syracuse can include an economical visit to those zoos with the 50% off admission benefit. In addition, please check to see if you have your current member cards handy, since other facilities will ask to see them and a photo ID. Contact our Member Office for replacement cards or a verification letter. Don’t wait. Do it today!

Photo by Kelli O'Brien

If your family is staying home during the upcoming school break, the Zoo is the perfect destination for family fun. As a Zoo member, admission is free, all year long. There’s so much here that can make learning entertaining. Like you, we are excited about the upcoming opening of the A Step Into Africa Exhibit on May 17 when you’ll meet lions and reconnect with our African elephants and troop of olive baboons. But every day we hear children talk about fun Zoo facts — our penguins like warm weather, the sea lion hopped out of the water to have his teeth cleaned, a tiger jumped really high like their kitten at home and a poisonous blue frog is like the one in their schoolbook. We encourage our members to get reacquainted with all our other fascinating animals now.

For assistance with any of these “spring options,” please contact the Member Office by calling (585) 336-7212, e-mail us at members@senecazoo.org or stop at the Zoo’s Front Gate during Zoo hours. (As of April 1, gates open at 9:30 a.m. for our members and at 10 a.m. for general admission. Gate closes at 4 p.m. You may stay on grounds until 5 p.m.)

Whether you’re coming or going, joining or renewing, or just looking for spring fun, think Zoo!

- Karen Panosian, Visitor Services Director

Hours and rates change beginning April 1st

Photo by iStock.com

Although spring has sprung earlier this year, our regular summer hours and rates will still take effect this Sunday (April 1).

Enjoy one of the best perks of becoming a Zoo member — early access to the Zoo. Members may enter the Zoo at 9:30 a.m. from April 1st through Oct. 31st. That’s 30 minutes earlier than non-members! Arriving early will give your family better access to a parking space, shorter lines at the Front Gate, smaller crowds within the Zoo and the chance to experience all the sights and sounds before we open for general admission at 10 a.m. For all visitors, the Zoo closes at 4 p.m. and visitors may stay on Zoo grounds until 5 p.m.

With the lack of snow and cold in March, members and visitors have flocked to the Zoo to say hello to our many animals on beautiful sunny days. With the opening of our A Step Into Africa Exhibit and unveiling of lions on May 17th, we expect Zoo attendance to be stronger than ever.

We are pleased to be able to say that admission rates and membership dues will remain the same — another great reason to become a Zoo member this year! Do the math and you’ll see that membership can pay for itself in just a few visits. Members receive many other wonderful benefits, like a 10% discount on purchases at the ZooShop every day as well as four discount coupons (valued at $10) at our Eagle’s Landing Café and Crater Canteen.

Please consider joining, rejoining or renewing today so your family can take advantage of great benefits like early admission from April 1^st through October 31^st.

- Natalie Lipton, Visitor Services Manager