North Carolina Zoo Celebrates Primate-Palooza and Pokémon Go Evening Safari Saturday, Sept. 17

ASHEBORO, NC – The North Carolina Zoo will celebrate Primate-Palooza Saturday, Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., and then extend its hours to host a Pokémon Go Evening Safari from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Standard admission rates apply until 4 p.m. when a $5 admission fee will be charged. Proceeds from the Pokémon Go Evening Safari will support the North Carolina Zoo's conservation efforts to preserve wild animals and wild places from extinction.

The Primate-Palooza event will feature:

• Africa Plaza - Healing Force musical group
• Gorilla Exhibit - Gorilla information, activities, and craft
• Lemur Exhibit - Primate Olympics
• Lemur Banda - Face painting, activities and prize giveaway
• Chimp Exhibit - Chimp information, activities, and craft
• Pavilion Circle - Baboon photo opportunity

The Pokémon Go evening event will boast more than 30 accessible PokéStops and eight gyms. Zoo staff will place Lures at PokéStops throughout the event. This first of its kind opportunity will include live animal ambassador encounters, and four prize bags will be given to the top gym players from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at designated gyms. 

Guests are invited for a cool evening stroll among the Zoo’s five miles of trails on beautiful Purgatory Mountain while discovering Pokémon and hatching Pokémon eggs. Food and gift venues will be open and transportation will be available around the park.

Cellphone reception at the Zoo varies by plans.  

The North Carolina Zoo is a safe, family-friendly place to collect Pokémon. Guests are reminded to please respect the natural space at the Zoo, the safety of other guests and animals, to watch where they walk and stay on the trails.                                                                                             

About the North Carolina Zoo

The North Carolina Zoo provides an experience like no other zoo anywhere. With five miles of exhibits, nearly 2,000 animals and 52,000 plants it is the largest natural habitat zoo in the world and an international leader in wildlife conservation.

Find yourself surrounded by some of Africa’s giants including elephants, rhinos, and giraffes; share the love of gorillas with Mosuba and his six-member troop; polar bears Nikita and Anana take polar plunges every day at the Rocky Coast Exhibit; or join in the fun at the mud café in the Kidzone.

Located in the center of the state in Asheboro, it is convenient to visit from anywhere in North Carolina. The North Carolina Zoo welcomes nearly 750,000 guests each year. Plan your adventure at www.nczoo.org.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources 

The North Carolina Zoo is an agency of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. Led by Secretary Susan Kluttz, NCDNCR's mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.

NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C.  Zoo, the nation's first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please call (919) 807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.

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