THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 21, 1995 TAG: 9509180295
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
The Norfolk zoo's two Siberian tigers will be greeting visitors from their new home Saturday.
Twins Shere Khan and Skaka Khan were anesthetized Tuesday in their old 1,000-square-foot cage and regained consciousness Wednesday in a new 8,500-square-foot habitat, complete with a waterfall, rock dens, trees and grass.
``They'll think they've died and gone to heaven,'' said Major Benton, executive director of the Virginia Zoological Park. ``Siberian tigers are unusual for big cats in that they love the water.''
The $500,000 facility comes after three years of community fund-raising spearheaded by a group of local Exxon retailers. The magnificent animals weigh approximately 300 pounds each and are an endangered species. There are only about 300 Siberian tigers left in the wild.
Benton said that the event may bring the largest single-day turnout in the zoo's history. Between 10,000 and 12,000 visitors are expected.
Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for children 2 to 11, and $1 for seniors over 62. Children younger than 2 are admitted free. MEMO: SATURDAY AT THE ZOO
10-11 a.m. - Performance by the U.S. Army Continental Dixieland
Band.
10:15 a.m. - Elephant demonstration.
11-11:30 a.m. - Magic show by Ron Ratcliff.
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Performance by the Tidewater Community Band.
11:30 a.m. - Magic show by Steve Meyers.
Noon-12:45 p.m. - Performance by the Norfolk Express All Stars Double
Dutch Competitors.
12:30-1 p.m. - Jean Wallace Studios perform to CATS.
2 p.m. - Elephant demonstration.
2-2:30 p.m. - Performance by the Evelyn Ott Dance Studio.
2:30-3 p.m. - Magic show by Steve Meyers.
3-5 p.m. - Performance by vocalist Amy Ferebee and her group. by CNB