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education and conservation. With over 2,500 licensed animal exhibitors in the United States, the Tautphaus Park Zoo is one of only 212 facilities that meet the AZA standards. The zoo proudly participates in the Species Survival Plan (SSP) for 14 differ- ent species of threatened or endangered animals. SSP’s are conservation programs managed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums with the goal of preserving endangered animals for future genera- tions through captive breeding programs. Through these programs the zoo has successfully raised an African lion, seven cotton-topped tamarin monkeys, five snow leopards and 10 African penguins. A variety of educational programs for all ages are offered throughout the year. Overnight safaris allow campers to pitch a tent and spend the night listening to the sometimes eerie sounds of the midnight zoo. Zoo school classes and week-long camps for school children cover topics such as endangered species, habitat preserva- tion and zoo design. You can even take a peek behind the scenes during a scheduled program. Zoo docents provide tours and outreach presentations to a variety of IDAHO FALLS MAGAZINE FILE PHOTO groups including school children and nurs- ing homes. The zoo presents several signature events. Earth Day is an all-day community event to foster appreciation and good stew- ardship of our planet. Dr. Doolittle Day is a fun and educational day of games and activities for children. Enrichment Day is CAN YOU BEAR IT? Amid introductions of a few new bird species, exotic rodents and baby critters of various stripes, the main attraction at Tautphaus Park Zoo in 2009 was the debut of the Asian Sloth Bear Exhibit. At first sight, this exotic member of the ursidae family is definitely not your average-looking bear. You’ll find that the representatives at Tautphaus are typically small when compared to many bears. Sloth bears have long shaggy black coats, light colored snouts and nostrils that can be opened and closed at will. These strange mammals also have bare, protruding lips and a lack of upper incisors—all the better for sucking up termites. (Supposedly, the sucking noises made by feeding in this manner can apparently be heard from over 100 meters away. We’ll see.) Sloth bears are also known to snack on various eggs, other insects, honey combs and vegetation. Sloth bears prefer dry forests with rocky outcrops and can be found natively in such far-flung places as Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal. Sound familiar? The estimated life span for these creatures—at least in captivity—is upward of 40 years. Stop in and check them out! ….. Boo at the Zoo is the zoo’s huge end of season fund-raising event filled with lights, pumpkins, tricks and treats, contests and more. For those looking to host a child’s birthday party, corporate picnic, wedding or family reunion, the zoo is a perfect place providing a unique venue to create a memorable event. ZOO HOURS MEMORIAL DAY TO LABOR DAY Tuesday–Sunday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (last admission) gates close at 6 p.m. Monday: 9 a.m.–8 p.m. (last admission) gates close at 9 p.m. MAY AND SEPTEMBER Daily: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (last admission) gates close at 5 p.m. APRIL AND OCTOBER Weekends only: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (last admission) gates close at 5 p.m. NOVEMBER THROUGH MARCH Closed ADMISSIONS Adults (13 & over) $5.00 plus tax Children (4–12 yrs.) $2.50 plus tax Children 3 & under FREE Seniors (62 & over) $3.50 plus tax VISITIDAHOFALLS.COM 19