ASHEBORO, NC - April 1 will mark the seasonal opening for the North Carolina Zoo's Endangered-Species Carousel; Dora & Diego's 4-D SimEx Adventure theater; Acacia Station Giraffe Deck; and the Africa Region entrance, parking lot and shuttle-bus service. Additionally, the park will begin its summer hours of 9 am - 5 pm.

The zoo's 36-foot Endangered Species Carousel, opened to the public in 2006, features hand-painted animal figures along with the lights and sound of traditional old-time carousels. The carousel is located at the Junction Plaza and is open daily, April 1- Oct 31, 10 am - 4 pm. Tickets are $2 per person or included in the combo ticket ($14, adults; $12, seniors; $10, children 2-12).

The 4-D theater features Nickelodeon's Dora, Diego and Boots, who need riders' help to protect the animals of the rainforest. Join the adventurous amigos on this high-speed, eye-popping chase. The theater is open daily, April 1 - Oct 31, 10 am - 4 pm. Admission is $3 or can be included in the combo ticket. The 40-seat theater is located in Junction Plaza.

On the Acacia Station Giraffe Deck visitors canget eye-to-eyewith these long-legged giants. With its beautiful treetop view, the deck is a great place for group photos and for viewing the zoo's giraffeherd. It's open daily, April 1 - Oct 31, 10 am - 2 pm. Tickets are $2 per person or included inthe combo ticket. The deck is located at the Forest Edge exhibit, which is open year-round, weather permitting.

The Africa Region entrance, parking lot and shuttle-bus service will remain open and operating April 1 - Oct 31. The shuttle-bus service between parking lots begins at 11 am and ends 30 minutes after park closing.

For general zoo information, go to http://www.nczoo.org/. For a full list of the zoo's upcoming events, including the month-long ZooFLING in April, go to their web page at http://www.nczoo.org/events/calendar.html.

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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