Media Advisory
Contact:
Amber Ricles
Phone:
757-441-2374 ext. 223
Email:
amber.ricles@norfolk.gov
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RED
PANDA PARADISE!
NEW
EXHIBIT OPENING ON THE FIRST DAY OF SUMMER
AT
THE VIRGINIA ZOO
WHAT:
Opportunity
for live coverage of the new red panda exhibit opening at
the
Virginia Zoo. T here are fewer than
2,500 adult red pandas in the world today. They are considered
critically endangered due to habitat loss.
A
female red panda has arrived from the San Diego Zoo and will be
released into her exhibit on Thursday, June 21. The new addition
is 1-year old Yin (her name symbolizing earth and water in Chinese).
The
new immersion style panda exhibit was completely built in-house
by the zoo staff and incorporates cutting edge technology. Minimal
barriers and attractive landscaping seem to flow in and out of
this type of exhibit giving zoo visitors a very up-close and intimate
experience of the panda and habitat.
As
a zoo construction “partnership” involving curators, horticulturists
and maintenance staff, a representative group from the zoo staff
will collectively do the honors of releasing Yin into her new
home.
The
exhibit is located along the walkway to the left of the main entrance
plaza and begins a series of exhibits that will eventually connect
the front of the zoo to the expansive Africa
exhibits at the back. This is the first
new construction since the 2004 prairie dog opening.
WHEN:
Thursday, June 21, 2007
at 11:00 a.m.
WHERE:
Virginia Zoo,
3500 Granby Street ,
Norfolk , VA
23504
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