On Saturday, the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo in Gainesville will host World Tree Kangaroo Day.
The May 17 event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3000 NW 83rd St. in Building Z in Gainesville.
Families and friends can visit the zoo to learn about tree kangaroos and have fun, too. Guests can play games, make crafts and watch animal talks. There will be animal encounters and fun music with didgeridoo performances by Lindsey Dank. Food trucks will be on site.
The city of Gainesville’s Urban Forestry Division will be giving away native plants, purchased through the Tree Mitigation Fund. These plants help our local animals and can grow in residents’ backyards.
Kathy Russell and Jade Woodling will also give a talk about how zoos help protect tree kangaroos, in human care and in Papua New Guinea.
“We are very proud of the collaborative work our zoo is part of to bring awareness for Matschie’s tree kangaroos and hopefully make a meaningful impact for their wild cousins and habitats,” said Woodling, Tree Kangaroo Species Survival Plan Education Advisor.
Schedule
- 9:45 a.m. – Tree Kangaroo Training Demonstration
- 10:15 a.m. – Grey Parrot Training Demonstration
- 10:45 a.m. – Storytime – “The Wondrous Cloud Forest”
- 11:15 a.m. – Tree Kangaroo Keeper Talk
- 11:45 a.m. – Capuchin Training Demonstration
- 12:30 p.m. – Zoo & Tree Roos Presentation
- 1:30 p.m. – Tree Kangaroo Keeper Talk
- 2:00 p.m. – Gibbon Keeper Talk
Tickets are only available at the gate on the day of the event. All credit cards, cash, Apple/Samsung Pay and checks are accepted.
- $10: adults
- $6: children ages 4-12, Seniors (60+), Active Military and Veterans, Teachers, Police, Firefighters, First Responders, EMT/EMS, Healthcare Workers (all with valid ID), UF students and staff with current Gator1 ID
- $3: Electronic Benefits Transfer recipients (up to four total tickets with card, any combination of adults/children)
- Free: Children (3 and under), SF Students, Staff, and Retirees (with current SFID), and Zoo Members