'Spring into action'at the Zoo
FROM STAFF REPORTS Gulf Breeze News news@gulfbreezenews.com

Submitted photo Michelle Kerrigan and Kayla Goliwas and other members of the B.E.T.A. Children's Theatre award Danyelle Lantz, Executive Director of the Gulf Breeze Zoo, $330.00.

The Zoo-Northwest Florida has announced several promotions and events to take place in February and March.

Welcome snowbirds

February is snowbird month at The Zoo. For the entire month, all visiting seniors (ages 62 and up) with an out-of-state ID will receive $2 off park admission.

Leap into conservation

Feb. 29 is Conservation Day at The Zoo. All visitors who bring an outdoor plant or tree will receive $2 off park admission. Several presentations will be given throughout the day on conversation and ways to help in the ongoing struggle to conserve wildlife and the natural habitats of animals. Volunteers spring into action

The Zoo will hold a volunteer work day on March 1. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., volunteers will work together to plant the plants, trees and flowers collected during Conservation Day.

Calling all potential docents

The spring Docent-In- Training (DIT) session will begin on March 1 and will be held during the following three Saturdays: March 8, 15 and 22; with a shorter seminar-style meeting on April 12. The classes run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The April 12 meeting will run from 10 a.m. to noon. The cost to participate is $40, which includes training, the docent manual and dues. Classes will be taught by The Zoo's education staffers and experienced docents. Classes will educate DITs about birds, reptiles and mammals and will include an orientation on The Zoo. In addition to the training sessions, all DITs must complete 55 hours of hands-on training in The Zoo to become familiar with all the areas of docent activity. Docents must be at least 18 years of age and have proof of a negative TB test within the last year. Docents serve as ambassadors for The Zoo and lead zoo encounters and group educational opportunities. Animal encounters offered year-round

Beginning Feb. 2, The Zoo will offer North American river otter encounters at 11:30 a.m. and African wild dog encounters at 2:30 p.m. every Saturday. Animal encounters will take place in the animals' exhibits and will focus on animal behavior and conservation. The giraffe tower is now open every Saturday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Animal feed bags can be purchased for $1 in the gift shop to feed the giraffes and petting zoo animals.

For more information or to see a detailed entertainment schedule, visit www.thezoonorthwestflorida. org or call executive director Danyelle Lantz at 850- 932-2229.