ASHEBORO, NC - The North Carolina Zoo will begin winter operating hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily on Tuesday, Nov. 1. These hours will remain in effect until April 1, 2012, when summer hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily will resume.

The park's African entrance will also close for the winter season beginning Tuesday. But visitors are welcome to view both the African and North America exhibits by entering through the North America entrance.

The zoo is located on Zoo Parkway (N.C. 159), six miles southeast of Asheboro off U.S. 64 and U.S. 220. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens 62-and-older and $8 for children 2-12. For additional Zoo information, call 1-800-488-0444 or visit the zoo's Web site at www.nczoo.org. The zoo is open year round except Christmas Day.

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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