St. Louis ZOO - Saint Louis Forest Park

Saint Louis ZOO
in Forest Park
314-781-0900
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Free admission

St. Louis News

Hundreds of families lined up on a steamy Saturday morning, for an opportunity to see and touch the stingrays at the St. Louis Zoo.

Stingray Exhibit Draws Huge Crowd at St. Louis Zoo
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), May 26, 2010 - The stingrays are back in town, and they've brought along some "crabby" friends this year - horseshoe crabs! Stingrays at Caribbean Cove presented by UMB Bank will be open through September 26, 2010.

Stingrays at Caribbean Cove exhibit is located under a pavilion near Lakeside Cafe, the cownose rays, southern stingrays and horseshoe crabs swim through a 17,000-gallon pool within a tropical setting.

The 20-inch deep pool includes a waterfall and a state-of-the-art life support system. The pool also has solitary space and places for the animals to rest if they choose. Zoo interpreters and educators will be on hand to help visitors and to share information about the animals, sustainable seafood and ocean conservation.

Along for the swim this year are horseshoe crabs, which are more closely related to spiders and scorpions than to true crabs. These bottom-dwelling creatures have a hard exoskeleton to protect their soft body and a long tail to help them steer through the water. The horseshoe crab is a living fossil. It has been on the earth for 220 million years, longer than dinosaurs, and it survives today almost identical to its ancient ancestors.

Cownose rays and southern stingrays are related to sharks and skates. They have a flat body, long pointed fins and a long whip-like tail that can be used for defense against predators.

These are hardy species that interact well with people in a safe and fun manner. Their stingers or barbs will be painlessly trimmed back just like fingernails are clipped. Staff at the exhibit will monitor the stingrays throughout the season to ensure no stingers exist.

Admission to Stingrays at Caribbean Cove is $3 for the general public and $1.50 for Zoo Friends members. Children under two are free. Admission is free the first hour the Zoo is open. Stingray feedings are $1.00 per cup. Groups of 15 or more may call (314) 781-0900, ext. 4709 in advance for group discounts.

New St. Louis Zoo South Entrance Takes Shape
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), April 9, 2010 - As of December 16, 2009, the St. Louis Zoo had the highest attendance in its history, with 3,065,554 visitors. A previous attendance record was set in 2004 with 3,025,816 visitors.

Over the past year, visitors to the St. Louis Zoo have seen dramatic changes taking place at the south entrance. The transformation includes a naturalistic new bridge spanning Wells Drive, allowing pedestrians, families with strollers and people using wheelchairs to pass from the south parking lot to the Zoo entrance without conflicts in traffic.

Plans for the Zoo's Wachovia South Arrival Experience include animal sculptures of African wildlife set in an island of greenery, rock outcroppings, footpaths, waterfalls and pools. Honey locust trees will be trimmed to resemble acacia trees, the "flat tops" in Africa that are trimmed by foraging giraffes and elephants. A 19-foot-tall bronze African elephant and other life-size sculptures will welcome visitors.

The Zoo's south parking lot will also be transformed into a greener space with 30% less asphalt and new landscaping. Construction has affected the Zoo's operating hours or attractions. Currently, cars are allowed to enter and exit from the west side of the south parking lot near Tamm Avenue bridge at Wells Drive. Wells Drive from Hampton is temporarily closed. The north parking lot on Government Drive is open.

The Zoo is home to more than 3,000 animals and features Jungle of the Apes and Big Cat Country. Additional attractions include the Emerson Electric Children's Zoo, The Living World educational center, River's Edge, "Penguin & Puffin Coast," Monsanto Insectarium, Mary Ann Lee Conservation Carousel, sea lion shows and bird house.

'Animals Always', installed at the corner of Hampton Avenue and Wells Drive, servs as a welcoming landmark to Forest Park and the St. Louis Zoo.

The World's Fair Flight Cage at the Zoo and the Saint Louis Art Museum, located north east of the Zoo, are the two structures remaining in Forest Park that were built for the 1904 World's Fair. Photos highlighting the 1904 World's Fair can be seen at the Missouri Historical Society, located in the Jefferson Memorial Building in Forest Park.

The Zoo is open year round, except December 25 and January 1. Summer hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

Non-summer hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. General admission to the Zoo is FREE. Parking on the Zoo's two lots is $11 per day. Parking for buses, motor homes and R.V.s is $22 and is available on the South Lot only. Some events and special programs may have an admission cost.

Note: Coolers and picnic baskets are permitted on the Zoo grounds. There are picnic tables located in central areas at the Zoo. All major facilities are wheelchair accessible, as are most restrooms. Wheelchairs and strollers are available to rent at The Living World and South Gate. Wheelchairs: $7 per day; motorized vehicles (limited number) available to those 18 years or older with a major credit card: $25 per day; single strollers are $7 per day; double strollers are $9 per day. For more information, please call 314-781-0900, 1-800-966-8877 or TDD: 314-768-5421.

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