ROYAL OAK, Mich., October 3, 2008 – The Detroit Zoo is providing special benefits ahead of schedule to residents of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties following approval in August of a ballot proposal to fund the Zoo.

Under agreements between the Zoo and county zoological authorities which take effect November 30, 2008, tri-county schools receive discounted field trip admission, the Zoo will host two free Senior Days a year for tri-county seniors, and tri-county residents receive $10 off an annual Zoo membership, good for all membership categories.  In addition, tri-county residents can purchase up to four gift memberships at the discounted rate.  The Zoo is offering the membership discounts effective immediately, but not retroactively.

On August 5, voters in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties approved a 0.10 mill levy on all taxable property for a period of 10 years to provide partial funding for the Detroit Zoo.  The millage will cost the average tri-county household about $10 a year and will generate about $15 million annually.  The Zoo will begin receiving funds in 2009.

The Detroit Zoological Society is a non-profit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo.  Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits, the Detroit Zoo is located at the intersection of Ten Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, just off I-696, in Royal Oak.  The Detroit Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March.  Admission is $11 for adults 13 to 61, $9 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $7 for children ages 2 to 12; children under 2 are free.  For more information, call (248) 541-5717 or visit www.detroitzoo.org.  The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round and provides educational programming with interpretive staff support from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks.  For more information, call (313) 852-4056. 
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