Extended Holiday Weekend Hours At Detroit Zoo

ROYAL OAK (WWJ) - In celebration of the Independence Day holiday weekend, the Detroit Zoo will remain open until 8 pm on July 2, 3 and 4. The zoo opens at 9 am daily.

Holiday visitors can take advantage of the extended hours to check out some of the zoo's most recent arrivals. Now chilling at the Arctic Ring of Life is polar bear Aquila, who is visiting for two years while his habitat in North Carolina is being renovated. Visitors looking for a dose of cuteness need look no further than the zebra habitat for Grevy's zebra foal Jimmy, born in April.

Other newcomers include Linus, a male warthog, and South African porcupines Crockett and Pokey, who can also be spotted in the warthog habitat. Just in time for the dog days of summer come bush dog sisters Miranda and Dolly, who can be found in the small animals area adjacent to the barnyard.

Guests will also have more time over the long weekend to enjoy the Dinosauria experience, where more than 30 life-like animatronic dinosaurs that roar, snarl and move have taken up residence for the summer. Dinosauria tickets are $4 with Zoo admission.

The Wild Adventure 3-D/4-D Theater in the Ford Education Center will remain open late as well, where "Dora & Diego's 4-D Adventure" and "Planet Earth: Shallow Seas 4-D Experience" are now showing. Tickets are $4 with Zoo admission.

Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits, the Detroit Zoo is located at the intersection of 10 Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, just off I-696, in Royal Oak. Admission is $12 for adults 15 to 61, $10 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $8 for children 2 to 14 (children under 2 are free).

For more information, call (248) 541-5717 or visit www.detroitzoo.org.