ROYAL OAK, Mich., February 2, 2010 – The Detroit Zoological Society will celebrate Black History Month with special activities at the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo throughout February.

On Saturday and Sunday, February 6 and 7, the Detroit Zoo continues its series of Wild Winter Weekends with Wild Winter African Adventure.  Visitors can take an African drum lesson, enjoy a dance performance and listen to stories told by professional storyteller Ivory Williams as well as Kenyan naturalist and Detroit Zoo education specialist David Gakure.  The weekend event also features African animal enrichment, arts and crafts, games and educational experiences.  All activities take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are free with regular Zoo admission.

The Belle Isle Nature Zoo will present African storytelling on Sunday, February 14, at 2 p.m.  David Gakure will be joined by fellow Detroit Zoo staff members Ador Ahme and Ryan Criticos as they share their experiences about growing up in Africa and coming to America.  (The program will be repeated on Sunday, February 28, at 2 p.m.)  On Thursday, February 18, Detroit Zoo staffer Tonzia Maxwell will teach native dances of the Republic of Congo.  The 45-minute African dance workshops, for people of all ages, will be held at the Belle Isle Nature Zoo at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. and are free.

Detroit Zoological Society education specialists are available as speakers for classroom outreach programs throughout Black History Month.   Call Director of Education Irma J. Hamilton at (248) 541-5717 x.3865 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .