CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The pachyderms are packing them in at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, which reported a record-setting attendance of 24,976 on Monday.
The zoo expected the new African Elephant Crossing to be a big draw, and it has not disappointed since the five-acre, $25 million facility debuted May 5.
Opening day saw 6,085, which was considered good for a Thursday with cool temperatures and kids still in school. The following Sunday, May 8, set a record for Mother's Days at the Zoo, with 16,303.
That was the day when police had to turn away cars because the ironically named overflow parking lots were still soggy from heavy rains and unusable.
Zoo marketing manager Sue Allen said Tuesday that there were no problems Monday because all of the parking lots were open.
Despite great expectations for the elephants, the zoo also credit's Monday's record to the fact that admission is free on Mondays for Cuyahoga County residents, that most local schools are out for the summer, and the 74-degree weather was perfect.
Previous record was 23,684, on July 3, 2006. That was attributed to the Independence Day holiday and a temporary exhibit call "Touch! Amazing Rays and Sharks." It featured sharks and rays in an 11,000-gallon saltwater tank, which allowed people to touch them safely.
Tuesday's attendance was 8,427, the best Tuesday of the year.
Courtesy of Henry Penndorf
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2 comments:
The first African elephants I ever saw were at Cleveland Zoo. They lived with two Asian elephants. Remember Timmy the gorilla? Sincerely Paul PS: I was just discussing Cleveland Zoo's Pere David deer with somebody. Sincerely Paul
PS: My aunt's dog's vet was the vet for Cleveland Zoo's animals. Sincerely Paul
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