Experience the wild side of romance at the Wildlife Conservation Society's zoos and aquarium this Valentine's Day. While we humans exchange heart-shaped boxes and red roses, creatures of all kinds at the zoos will be showing their own version of animal magnetism.
An array of exotic wildlife lives at each WCS facility. Some animals prefer to live alone; others chose to live in very large groups that can sometimes be dominated by one high-ranking male. But many WCS animals live with mates specifically chosen for them through a cooperative breeding program called the Species Survival Program (SSP). Administered by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the program arranges the most genetically compatible matches for rare or endangered animals to help ensure the longevity of their species - much like a match-making service for animals.
If you've already found your match, bring that special someone to a WCS facility this February 14 to see how the animals show affection to their loved ones. And if you're single this Valentine's Day, come see the animals anyway. After all, if WCS can inspire so many great matches for its residents, who knows what might happen for its visitors.
WCS's Central Park Zoo:
Monkey Love - The snow monkey troop is a playful bunch comprised of both males and females. Flash, a snow monkey who's lived at the zoo for several years, is the dominant male in the group and doesn't like competing for love.
Spotted Singles - The Central Park Zoo has two female snow leopards. Like some humans, they prefer a more solitary lifestyle. Each beautiful cat lives in her own exhibit space giving zoo-goers twice the chance to see them in a majestic, naturalistic environment that closely resembles their native habitat in the mountains of Mongolia and surrounding Asian countries.
WCS's Queens Zoo:
Eagle's Love Nest - Chivalry seems to be alive and well in the zoo's bald eagle exhibit. Longtime zoo resident Mel has shown he knows how to treat his gal pal, Claire. Mel makes sure that Claire gets first dibs on all their food. She even gets to pick where to perch, without any objections from Mel, proving he is a real regal eagle.
Bear Hugs - Playful Andean bears Spangles and Cisco can be very affectionate towards each other. SSP animals, they often cuddle together or play in the winter after a light snowfall. But like most human couples, this pair isn't without the occasional tiff, but the female, Spangles, knows how to keep her male counterpart in line. Though she weighs a mere 150 pounds, it's still clear that she's in command of 400-pound Cisco.
Birds of the Same Feather - The Queens Zoo is home to both cranes and swans, two avian species that choose their mates for life. Male cranes even pitch in when it comes to parenting. They sit on nesting eggs to keep them warm while their mates take a break.
WCS's Prospect Park Zoo:
All in the Family - Bole, a Hamadryas baboon, has a harem of three adult females in his family troop, so there definitely won't be a shortage of affection for him this Valentine's Day.
Perfect Pandas - An SSP pair of red pandas at the Prospect Park Zoo have been living together for the last year. They are often seen snuggling close to each other, proving that they are a most compatible match.
Holding Hands - Saki monkeys Opus and Winola are a male-female duo that seem to care about each other very much. Opus, the male, is often seen caressing Winola's face and staring deep into her eye, making sure she knows who matters.
Bronx Zoo:
Pool of Love - The famous Bronx Zoo California sea lions are always visitor favorites. Of the seven sea lions, Kiani is the only male in the pool. He spends his days in the water with his three girlfriends Clarice, Indy, and Cloe, while keeping a close eye on his three babies. This affectionate family loves the cold weather and enjoys putting on a show for the crowd.
New York Aquarium:
Get a Sea Lion Kiss for your Valentine - Catch one of the aquarium's daily Sea Lion Celebrations in Aquatheater, and afterwards, book a Sea Lion Encounter to ask questions and get up close with our sea lion celebrities. Visitors will receive a meet-and-greet session with one of the aquarium's California sea lions. Encounters occur every day after the Sea Lion Celebration show. Participants will learn about these magnificent animals, ask questions, and finally get a sea lion kiss. Sea Lion Encounters cost $20.00 per participant.
The Queens Zoo is located at 53-51 111th Street in Flushing Meadow's Corona Park and is open 365 days a year. Fall/winter hours are 10am to 4:30 pm. Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children ages 3-12, and free for children under 3. For general information, please call (718) 271-1500, or visit our web site at www.queenszoo.com
