Zoo Choo Train will Offer Rides to Mall Shoppers This Winter!

The Buffalo Zoo’s “Zoo Choo Train” ride has been moved to the Eastern Hills Mall for the winter season.

The Zoo acquired the new train ride for the 2014 season, and it quickly became a favorite among Zoo visitors. The Wattman mini-express train features five cars, including a turn-of-the-century style engine and caboose. Zoo officials have teamed up with the Eastern Hills Mall to give the community an opportunity to enjoy the train during winter months.

The Zoo Choo Train will be open to mall visitors beginning on Wednesday in front of one of the mall’s anchor tenants, in the family attraction corridor. It will operate there until the end of March 2015.The cost per ride will be $2, and 100% of proceeds will be retained by the Buffalo Zoo.

“We are excited to partner with the Buffalo Zoo this holiday in welcoming the Zoo Choo train to the Eastern Hills Mall,” said Brandon Salinas, Business Development Manager for the Eastern Hills Mall. “It’s a wonderful added value for our guests, and supports a cultural icon of the Western New York Community.”

The Zoo Choo Train ride became a favorite among Zoo visitors this season!

“The ride became very popular among visitors this summer, and it seemed a shame that it would be put away for winter,” said Donna Fernandes, President & CEO of the Buffalo Zoo. “The Eastern Hills Mall has graciously allocated space for us and offered to give all of the proceeds from the train back to the Zoo. We’re grateful for their partnership, and hope that families in Western New York will continue to enjoy the Zoo Choo Train at the mall until it comes back to the Zoo in the spring.”

Animalpalooza!

by Courtney Macklin, animal keeper for the Buffalo Zoo

Animalpalooza at the Buffalo Zoo is an event being put on by the Zoo’s Training and Enrichment Committee. The main goal of the committee is to enhance the lives of the animals in our care. It gives the keepers a chance to share ideas, challenges, successes, and information as well as providing resources and supplies.

Usually, when people think of enrichment, they think treats and food, which is just one of many enrichment methods. During Animalpalooza, keepers will be teach visitors about the different types of enrichment activities, including exhibit design, sounds and smells, and training techniques. Training allows us to provide the animals with mental stimulation, exercise, and routine medical care. Training techniques are universal, and can be used on any animal. You can come to Animalpalooza and learn some basic animal training techniques that you can try on your pet dog, cat, or even fish!

Training sessions are used to enrich the lives of Zoo animals.

The event runs two days, November 28th and 29th, and will feature fall-themed enrichment for the animals, a training demo, bake sale, basket raffle, enrichment for kids, and more! It will be fun for the whole family and a great alternative to black Friday madness. All profits go to the committee and will benefit the animals.

Animalpalooza Schedule

Friday, November 28, 2014

11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Bake sale in the reptile house
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Basket raffle in the reptile house
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Guess the pumpkin’s weight at the main entrance
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Enrichment activities for kids in M&T Bank Rainforest Falls lobby
11:00 a.m. – Get your photo taken with mascots Hank the rhino and Sam the hellbender in the reptile house
11:30 a.m. – Capybara enrichment and keeper talk in M&T Bank Rainforest Falls
12:00 p.m. – Elephant enrichment and keeper talk at the elephant house
12:30 p.m. – Meerkat enrichment and keeper talk at the meerkat exhibit (near gorillas)
1:00 p.m. – Rhino encounter at the rhino conservation station * $10
1:00 p.m. – Polar bear enrichment and keeper talk at the polarbear/tiger exhibit
1:30 p.m. – River otter enrichment and keeper talk at the River Otter Creek exhibit
2:00 p.m. – Herpetology enrichment and keeper talk in the reptile house
2:00 p.m. – Sheep training demonstration at Delta Sonic Heritage Farm
2:30 p.m. – Lion enrichment and keeper talk at the lion exhibit

Saturday, November 29, 2014

11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Bake sale in the reptile house
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Basket raffle in the reptile house
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Guess the pumpkin’s weight at the main entrance
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Enrichment activities for kids in M&T Bank Rainforest Falls lobby
11:00 a.m. – Sea lion encounter and photo op * $25
11:30 a.m. – Anteater enrichment and keeper talk in M&T Bank Rainforest Falls
12:00 p.m. – Gorilla enrichment and keeper talk at the gorilla exhibit
12:30 p.m. – Meerkat enrichment and keeper talk at the meerkat exhibit (near gorillas)
1:00 p.m. – Rhino encounter at the rhino conservation station * $10
1:00 p.m. – Polar bear enrichment and keeper talk at the polarbear/tiger exhibit
1:30 p.m. – Elephant encounter at the elephant house * $10
1:30 p.m. – Sea lion encounter and photo op * $25
2:00 p.m. – Herpetology enrichment and keeper talk in the reptile house
2:00 p.m. – Sheep training demonstration at Delta Sonic Heritage Farm
2:30 p.m. – Lion enrichment and keeper talk at the lion exhibit


*Sign up and pre-pay for encounters at the front entrance.