Zoo Idaho opens 2016 season

Zoo Idaho officially opened for the 2016 season Saturday and guests will find a number of noticeable differences.

A number of exhibits have been renovated and animals have been moved around, too. For example, at the grizzly bear exhibit, additional fencing has been built so people can get a better view of the bears Shoni and Stripes.

Right now, the entrance of the zoo is under construction for landscaping work and to add an ADA pathway into the zoo.

There will also be a smaller ADA path that will lead into the lower levels of the zoo, with more ADA paths planned to lead to the top levels.

Peter Pruett, Zoo Idaho’s superintendent, said all the changes address the zoo’s three priorities: the health and welfare of the animals, his team and the guests.

“When all three are firing on all cylinders then we’ve got a fantastic zoo,” said Pruett.

For the month of April, the zoo will only be open on the weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also, because of the construction at the entrance on South Second Avenue, guests will have to enter the zoo through the Zoo Education Building at 3101 Avenue of the Chiefs.

Admission for the zoo is $5.75 for ages 12 to 59, $4.50 for seniors ages 60 and up, $3.74 for children ages 3 to 11, and anyone who is 2-years-old or younger gets in free.

For more information, here’s Zoo Idaho’s website. You can also call it at 208-234-6264.