ROYAL OAK, Mich., July 20, 2009 – Visitors are finding that a day at the Detroit Zoo is a great way to get their “Vitamin Z” and are coming in record numbers.  June’s attendance was 185,684, up 9% over June 2008, and the Zoo had a record-breaking single-day attendance of 14,409 on Friday, July 3.

“With Dinosauria, lots of baby animals and membership discounts, there are more ways than ever to get the recommended dose of Vitamin Z.  The Detroit Zoo provides a unique experience and great value for the community, particularly in this struggling economy,” said Executive Director Ron Kagan. 

The Zoo’s current “Vitamin Z” advertising campaign highlights immersive experiences found at the Detroit Zoo, including the Arctic Ring of Life, Australian Outback Adventure, Butterfly Garden and Giraffe Encounter.

Dinosauria, the Zoo’s blockbuster summer attraction, features 19 life-like animatronic dinosaurs on a three-acre DinoTrail.  The attraction runs through Labor Day and is $3 per person in addition to regular Zoo admission. 

In addition to prehistoric creatures, visitors can see all their favorite live animals and the many new residents that now call the Detroit Zoo home.  Fresh faces include two black-and-white ruffed lemurs born last month, a baby aardvark born in December and a chimpanzee born last fall. 

Following approval last August of a ballot proposal to fund the Detroit Zoo, residents of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties receive a $10 discount on any membership category.  Membership includes free admission to the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo, free parking and discounts at gift shops and concessions.  Memberships can be purchased at the Zoo or online at http://www.detroitzoo.org/Support_the_Zoo/Membership/Membership/.

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 (open at 9 a.m. May 1 through Labor Day) – with extended hours until 8 p.m. Wednesdays during July and August – and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March.  Admission is $11 for adults 15 to 61, $9 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $7 for children ages 2 to 14; 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.  Admission is free.  For more information, call (313) 852-4056. 
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