Asheboro, NC - In an effort to promote better understanding of one of nature's more unusual and misunderstood animals, the North Carolina Zoo will hold its annual celebration of bats-Batology--on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 20 & 21, at the park's Sonora Desert exhibit in the North America region.

The event, which runs from 10 a.m. until 3:15 p.m. each day, will feature zoo educator and keeper talks, educational displays, information about native bats and a children's activity station with games and prizes. The event will end each day with a vampire bat feeding-with real blood.

The event is intended to help visitors discover more about the vampire bats in the zoo's exhibit and find out why everyone should appreciate the bats in their own backyard.

The weekend event is included in the regular zoo admission of $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (62+) and $8 for children (ages 2-12).

The zoo is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment & Natural Resources, Dee Freeman, Secretary; Beverly Eaves Perdue, Governor.

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