ROYAL OAK, Mich., April 8, 2009 – Senior citizens living in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties are invited to enjoy a special day at the Detroit Zoo on Senior Day, Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Seniors 62 and older and their caregivers will receive free admission  and parking.

Sponsored by radio station AM 580, Senior Day will feature live music, narrated tractor train tours and bingo.  The day’s activities will also include animal enrichment activities and zookeeper talks highlighting some of the Zoo’s senior residents.

A Senior Resource Area will be available where seniors can speak with representatives from the following organizations: Birmingham Area Seniors Coordinator Council, Blue Care Network, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Health Choice Home Health Care, Home Instead Senior Care, HUG Center for Hearing, Medilodge and Social Security Administration.  

The spring Senior Day is one of two free days for tri-county seniors held annually at the Detroit Zoo in appreciation for voter approval in August 2008 of the ballot proposal to fund the Zoo.  Another Senior Day will be held on Wednesday, September 9, 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 (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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