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Calling all adventurers: Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium and Safari Park near Litchfield Park is reopening with some additions, including endangered species and new exhibits.

The park will be open to the public daily beginning Thursday, Sept. 3, after a five-month closure due to COVID-19.

The park might look different for many visitors; earlier this year, it underwent a 5-acre expansion. And new measures have been implemented to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus, including:

  • Requiring masks for all staff and visitors.
  • Signs encouraging social distancing throughout the zoo.
  • Sanitizing equipment after every ride.
  • Enforcing social distancing with ride seating.

What’s new at Wildlife World Zoo

Some cafés and rides will be closed, but most attractions will be open, including:

  • Sky Ride.
  • African Tram.
  • Safari Train.
  • Indoor exhibits.
  • Petting zoo.
  • Giraffe feeding station.
  • Stingray touch tank.

Dozens of new exhibits incorporate ponds, islands, pastures and other features tailored to various species’ natural habitats.

Wildlife World Zoo has added some new animal species, including two endangered pygmy hippos.

Other new animals you’ll see include the Grevy’s zebra, nilgai (a large Asian antelope), onager (an Asian wild ass), sarus crane, caracal (a medium-size wild cat) and clouded leopard.

Among the new young animals in the population are a giraffe, penguin chick, lemur, colobus and spider monkeys, an olive baboon and a cabybara (a large South American rodent). 

Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park

When: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily for the zoo; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. for aquarium exhibits.

Where: 16501 W. Northern Ave., Litchfield Park.

Admission: $41.50, $23 for ages 3-12, free for age 2 and younger.

Details: 602-321-5478, https://wildlifeworld.com.

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or at 602-444-4968. Follow her on Twitter @kimirobin and Instagram @ReporterKiMi.

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