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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
Did you realize you can hear a lion's roar up to five miles away as they instinctively make it known they're in the area? When you visit African Savanna, Utah's Hogle Zoo's brand new exhibit, which opened May 30, hopefully you'll be lucky enough to hear a roar up close from one of the zoo's four new lions.
Public relations manager Erica Hansen says they haven't had lions at the zoo for close to 10 years, but visitors can see lion brothers Vulcan and Baron and the lionesses Seyla (say-lah) and Nabu (nah-boo). In addition to the African cats, the exhibit is also home to zebras, ostriches, guinea fowl and giraffes. You can learn interesting facts about lions, like how they have white under their eyes to help them see at night when they're out hunting.
Another feature that has young visitors excited is the newly-refurbished zoo train, running again after an almost two-years renovation. The train now goes right through African Savanna. Kids and parents have been lining up to try it out.
If it's been awhile since you've been to Utah's Hogle Zoo, trust me when I say you wouldn't recognize it. It's the perfect family outing for grandparents to take their grandkids, parents to go with their kids or for people who love animals. This Association of Zoos and Parks accredited zoo is taking full advantage of all 42 acres with new exhibits like Rocky Shores, which opened two years ago.
This is a good sign for Utah's Hogle Zoo when we have senior animals that are 54 years of age like Dari, the oldest African elephant in the United States. Or Cristie, who is 26 with her thriving baby Zuri, who is now 5. You may think gorillas are big tough guys, but don't let them fool you. Husani (who-saw-knee) is the teenage gorilla and he looks tough on the outside, but when nobody's looking, he likes to suck his thumb.
Treat yourself to Utah's Hogle Zoo sometime this year and see the well-done addition, try to new concessions and visit the animals.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
Utah's Hogle Zoo 2600 Sunnyside Ave. Salt Lake City, UT 84108 1-801-582-1631 www.hoglezoo.org
