ROYAL OAK, Mich., February 10, 2010 – A snow day for school children usually means a snow day for the animals at the Detroit Zoo, and Tuesday night’s snowstorm created the perfect opportunity for both kids and animals to enjoy being out in the white stuff.

“A winter visit to the Detroit Zoo is the ultimate cool experience.  If you’re lucky, as I was yesterday, you can watch the tigers roll around in the snow and may even witness the wolverines making ‘snow angels’,” said Zoo Director Ron Kagan.  “The parking lots and pathways are clear and we’re open.  Of course, we want everyone to get here safely.” 

Many of the animals at the Detroit Zoo are native to temperate climates and have the built-in ability to cope with the cold and snow.  The Japanese macaques, or snow monkeys, can often be seen playing in the snow or relaxing on the edge of their hot tub.  The Amur tigers, wolverines, red pandas, takins, elk, bison, Bactrian camels and white-lipped deer also adapt well to cold weather.  All of the Zoo’s winter-hardy animals have access to warmth if they choose.

For cold-challenged visitors, the Detroit Zoo offers many indoor habitats to enjoy.  A popular attraction in any type of weather is the Arctic Ring of Life with its 70-foot clear underwater Frederick and Barbara Erb Polar Passage providing spectacular views of swimming polar bears and seals.  For a more tropical experience, visitors can take refuge in the Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden – where the temperature is always a toasty 75 degrees – and the adjacent Matilda R. Wilson Free-flight Aviary.

Today’s snow day is an ideal time for visitors to check out the Detroit Zoo’s new Wild Adventure 3-D/4-D Theater at the Ford Education Center (cost is $3 with Zoo admission for visitors 2 years and older).  Featuring the visually stunning wildlife adventure “Wild World Africa”, the theater delivers a high-definition viewing experience in 3-D enhanced with full-sensory 4-D special effects such as wind, mist and scents. 

Other indoor experiences include the National Amphibian Conservation Center, Penguinarium, Holden Museum of Living Reptiles, Great Apes of Harambee, Edward Mardigian Sr. River Otter Habitat and Meerkat Digs.  The giraffe, white rhino, lemur and farm animal habitats also feature indoor viewing areas.  Special maps are available at the admission gate to help guests plan their winter visit.