Memphis’ KangaZoo is now open
A young kangaroo pokes its head up at the Memphis Zoo March 26, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
Two kangaroos lounge in the sun in their new enclosure at the Memphis Zoo March 26, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
An adult kangaroo surveys his enclosure at the Memphis Zoo March 26, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
A kangaroo hops around its enclosure at the Memphis Zoo March 26, 2021. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
A new exhibit at the Memphis Zoo will allow guests to walk among the kangaroos without a traditional fence. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
The Memphis Zoo is now home to more animals from the land down under.
It now has 20 red kangaroos in its KangaZoo: 17 adults and four juveniles. And the new exhibit is open — wide open.
“So, as you come into the exhibit, one of the first things that you will notice, the kangaroos are free ranging,” said Matt Thompson, the Deputy Director of the Memphis Zoo. “They kind of go wherever they want. The idea is for our visitors to come in and kind of walk around the exhibit and observe kangaroos doing what they would do.”
Which means Steve, age 4 1/2, could hop over and introduce himself, says Arianna Montoya-Garcia, one of the kangaroo keepers.
The new exhibit does have a surcharge: $4 for members and $5 for non-members.
“When you walk into the exhibit, you will be greeted by an exhibit guide who will give you some tips on the best way to interact with the animals,” Thompson said.
The red kangaroos are already used to people; they are actually privately owned and on loan to the zoo.
The exhibit will be open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day. It will stay open until Oct. 31.
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city of Memphis Memphis Zoo kangaroos kangazooAllyson Brown
After living in Missouri, Illinois, Mississippi, Louisiana, California and Ohio, Allyson is happy to be home in Memphis. If you take a look by the Houston High School track, you can still catch her name on the leader board. She likes good food, music and sports. If you have a suggestion about one or the other, send it her way. Also, she’s happy to hear your story ideas.
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