Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 8, 1990 TAG: 9006080052
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TRACIE FELLERS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But the two-day festival, which starts Saturday, will serve up plenty of other activities - ranging from an out-of-the-ordinary breakfast to programs on bats.
The zoo will open at 8 a.m. Saturday - two hours earlier than usual - for a "Breakfast with the Animals." Breakfast snacks will be sold, and visitors can watch zoo staffers feed the animals.
Fowler will present programs at the zoo's amphitheater at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday. Internationally known for his work with predatory birds, Fowler has been associated with "Wild Kingdom" since it premiered in January 1963. He succeeded Marlin Perkins as host of the program in 1985.
In addition to his "Wild Kingdom" duties, Fowler keeps busy with lecture tours across the country and television appearances on programs including "The Tonight Show."
Saturday evening, Fowler will be the special guest at a "Jungle Reception" at the zoo. A limited number of tickets will be sold in advance at $15 per person. For more information, call 343-3241 during business hours.
A number of local and national conservation groups will provide information during the event, including the World Wildlife Fund, Bat Conservation International, Roanoke Valley Bird Club, Rainforest Action Network, Wildlife Center of Virginia, Nature Conservancy and Programme for Belize.
Sunday's festival activities will include a 2 p.m. presentation by Dr. John Becker, director of the International Society for Endangered Cats. Programs on bats and rain forests also are scheduled for Sunday.
Buses will run from Victory Stadium to the zoo on both days, and 25 cents of each zoo admission will be donated to the World Wildlife Fund. Admission is $2.75 for adults, $1.75 for children younger than 12 and free for children younger than 2.
by CNB