NC Zoo - Randolph Record

01 Mar

New male lion officially arrives at NC Zoo

Randolph RecordNewsanimals, Haji, lion, NC Zoo, zoo

ASHEBORO — A new lion residing at the North Carolina Zoo is available to be seen by the public as of last week. All 400 pounds of him. The 3-year-old male lion, Haji, came from Audobon Zoo in New Orleans. He’ll be a companion for Mekita, 13. Haji and Mekita are on a rotating schedule where guests can see them in their habitat. Guests should be able to spot Haji by his growing mane, which is mohawk style. His mane will continue to grow and darken as he ages. “We’re excited our guests now get to see Haji more often,”…

15 Feb

NC Zoo Council approves ticket price increase

Randolph RecordNewsNC Zoo, North Carolina Zoo, ticket price increase

The N.C. Zoo Council recently voted to approve an increase in the cost of admission to the North Carolina Zoo. The council, which is comprised of 15 members appointed by the governor to oversee the operation and development of the zoo, held a virtual meeting to discuss the matter on February 8. According to Pat Simmons, Director and CEO of the North Carolina Zoo, “zoo funding comes 50% from the State with the other 50% from gate ticket sales,” but the cost of running the zoo has gone up over the years. Revenue from ticket sales has not grown to…

18 Jan

Lion adjusts to NC Zoo

Randolph RecordNewsHaji, lion, NC Zoo, North Carolina Zoo, zoo

Haji is settling in at the North Carolina Zoo. Haji, a male lion, came to the zoo in Asheboro in early December. He was designated to be a new companion to a female lion, Mekita. The zoo last week provided information that pointed out that Haji had his first steps in his new habitat. Haji and Meita are alternating schedules in the habitat as they get to know each other. Haji is almost three years old. He was born at Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. Haji means “journey.” Also, the zoo will be closed Jan. 23-27 for staff training and…

27 Jul

NC Zoo hits new milestone for attendance

Bob SuttonNews, StateAsheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce, attendance, Heart of North Carolina Visitors Bureau, NC Zoo, North Carolina Zoo, Pat Simmons, zoo

Visitors celebrate the 48th birthday of C’sar, an African elephant, on Monday morning at North Carolina Zoo, where officials have reported record attendance during the past year. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO — The North Carolina Zoo has been busier than ever this past year. The NC Zoo announced for the fiscal year ending June 30 that more than 1 million visitors entered the gates. The previous high for a fiscal year was 879,990 in 2018-19, based on numbers listed in the announcement. “We’re thrilled to welcome so many guests from North Carolina and around the world,” NC Zoo director Pat…

22 Sep

Zoo collecting cell phones … for gorillas

Randolph RecordBusinessNC Zoo

ASHEBORO — The North Carolina Zoo is asking people to donate old cell phones, tablets or music players such as iPods to help gorillas around the world. The initiative, known as Gorillas on the Line … Answer the Call, is part of a worldwide project to protect gorilla habitats. A key component to cell phone electronics is a metal called coltan. One of the few places it can be mined is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the mining destroys habitats.

21 Jul

Hiring issues impact Zoo

Randolph RecordBusiness, Newseconomy, jobs, NC Zoo

ASHEBORO — At the same time the North Carolina Zoo is seeing a huge increase in visitors compared with last year, it's struggling to find staff to keep all of its exhibits open. Most attractions are open, but certain features like an obstacle course and feeding activities have remained closed. Twenty people recently turned out for a job fair with dozens of open positions. Many of the jobs at the zoo are part time, temporary and pay about $10 to $12 per hour.

12 Jul

Grizzly bear dies at NC Zoo

Randolph RecordEntertainment, Newsgrizzly bear, NC Zoo

ASHEBORO — The only grizzly bear at the N.C. Zoo died Friday. Tommo, a bear relocated from Yellowstone National Park, lived at the Zoo for 26 years. The zoo's staff made the decision to euthanize the 31-year old bear after his quality of life quickly declined. Tommo arrived at the Zoo in 1995 after being identified as a "nuisance bear" — a bear who has lost his fear of humans because they see people as suppliers of food. The grizzly bear habitat at the zoo will remain empty while the staff works with other agencies to offer a home for any…

11 Jul

Zoo announces red wolf pup names

Randolph RecordEntertainment, NewsAsheboro, NC Zoo

ASHEBORO — The N.C. Zoo announced the names of the six red wolf pups (four females, two males) born on the guest view habitat. The public was invited to vote in an online poll from a list of names provided by the Zoo’s red wolf keepers. The names are based on rivers in the Southeastern U.S. where red wolves used to range. The naming poll had over 6,500 responses. The chosen names are Eno, Harper, Pearl, Warrior, Fisher, Catawba.

06 Jul

Zoo ends reservation requirement

Randolph RecordNewsNC Zoo

The N.C. Zoo ended the requirement for visitors to make reservations ahead of the 4th of July holiday weekend. Reservations will no longer be required after July 1. The zoo will still require visitors who are not fully vaccinated to wear face coverings and to practice social distancing. When the zoo reopened in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, reservations were required to limit the number of visitors to the zoo, which is outside of Asheboro. In recent months, the zoo has welcomed an elephant, a polar bear and 12 red-wolf pups.