Idaho Falls Zoo reopens for 2019

The Idaho Falls Zoo reopened it’s doors to the public Saturday and launched the start to a full summer of fun.

This is the 29th season the zoo is bringing locals a chance to learn and see animals from across the world.

“This is a very big day for the zoo,” Idaho Falls Zoo Executive Director, David Pennock said. “We are just thrilled that we are opening to serve the citizens of Idaho Falls and the citizens of our community.”

The Idaho Falls Zoo is known as the “Best little zoo in the west.”

Though the zoo itself remains small, the number of zoo attractions and park visitors grows larger every year.

“Just walking around it feels like we have more then what we have ever had before,” Pennock said. “In just the last three seasons we have seen record-breaking attendance all three years.”

Three days before the reopening, the zoo welcomed a new member to its little zoo family.

A zebra named Autom had given birth to baby zebra named Ayana.

“We are so excited to introduce Ayana,” animal care staff member Amy Tracy said. “She was born Sunday night around 7:30 and was up and running after the first half hour. She is doing fabulous and weighed almost 90 pounds when she was born.”

Ayana is the 21st zebra born from her father Leo, who passed away earlier this year from old age complications.

Her siblings before her were adopted to other zoos across the world, but Ayana is here to stay.

The zoo says over the course of the coming season, zoo visitors can expect several surprises that they have in store.

No hints on what that might be just yet, but they will be announced as they come along.

Pennock says, “I hope that everybody comes out to the zoo soon and over the season and I hope that they see how proud they can be of their local zoo.”