ZOO ATLANTA
Zoo Atlanta is open 363 days a year; closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
March 13 – Nov. 6
Monday - Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with last admission at 4:30 p.m. The zoo begins to bring animals in for the day at 4:30. Food stands close an hour prior to the grounds closing; rides close a half hour prior.
Saturday, Sunday and holidays (July 4): 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with last admission at 5:30 p.m. The zoo begins to bring our animals in for the day at 5:30. Food stands close an hour prior to the grounds closing; rides close a half hour prior.
Nov. 6, 2015 – March 11, 2016
Daily: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with last admission at 4:30 p.m. The zoo begins to bring our animals in for the day at 5:30. Food stands close an hour prior to the grounds closing; rides close a half hour prior.
Address
800 Cherokee Ave., SE
Atlanta 30315
Zoo Atlanta wants to bring our national bird to Georgia, but needs help from the public.
The zoo has partnered with SterlingFunder, an Atlanta-based crowdfunding platform, to raise $10,000 for the project.
Although bald eagles are on the rebound in Georgia, they are a federally protected species and are considered threatened in the state. Because of this, state law says the Georgia Department of Natural Resources must inspect and approve a bald eagle habitat before the zoo can apply for a holding permit.
After the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approves the permit, the zoo will work with federal agencies to find a suitable bird, which would be a non-flighted eagle that has been rehabilitated and is accustomed to human care.
Bald eagles are usually brought to rehabilitation centers after being injured. If a bird is able to go back to the wild, it is released. Any eagle the zoo would get would be in need of a permanent home and would not be a candidate for release.
“Zoo Atlanta is responsible for so many important programs in the field in imperiled habitats around the world. Our international conservation presence is vital, but so is our appreciation of the wildlife of our own backyard. Few other species exemplify that more strikingly than the bald eagle – the symbol of our country and the emblem of American patriotism,” said Raymond B. King, president and CEO of Zoo Atlanta. “We’re very grateful to SterlingFunder for helping us offer everyone in our community the chance to be part of this special project.”
The $10,000 would be used to build the eagle's new habitat and feed it for the first year, among other things. SterlingFunder has waived its fees, so all money donated on the site will go directly to the zoo.
To help fund the project, go to www.SterlingFunder.com/ZooAtlanta. Donations of all sizes will be accepted, but some amounts come with a bonus. For instance, a $30 donation comes with a coupon for a reusable bag. For $500, you will receive breakfast for four in the Wildlife Theater, a painting by Onyx the African pied crow in the colors of your choice and your name listed as a supporter on the zoo's website for six months.
About the Author
