Reindeer Family with 2 Babies and More to Be Featured at L.A. Zoo's Reindeer Romp Holiday Celebration

The Los Angeles Zoo presents a rare opportunity to see live reindeer at its Reindeer Romp Holiday Celebration, which debuts Friday November 18, 2016, and runs through Sunday, January 8, 2017 (except Christmas Day),10 am to 4 pm. Adding to the "ZooLAbration" of the L.A. Zoo's 50th Anniversary is the extension of DINOSAURS: UNEXTINCT AT THE L.A. ZOO, a spectacular exhibit produced and presented by the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, now open through Sunday, January 8, 2017.

Guests are invited to make the most of the holiday season with a full day of fun and adventure at a great value highlighted by a visit with a reindeer family, including their two babies, in their Reindeer Village home, the only place to view live reindeer in Los Angeles. A flurry of other activities on weekends include reindeer keeper talks twice daily, holiday crafts for youngsters, ice-carving demonstrations, Swazzle Holiday Extravaganza puppet shows, seasonal music entertainment by the Beverly Belles, and a rotating schedule of animals unwrapping gifts all their own. Visits with Santa Claus in a whimsical Santa Village and photo ops (for a nominal fee) take place every weekend through December 18from 11 am to 3 pm.

The 17 life-size, animatronic prehistoric creatures of Dinosaurs: Unextinct at the L.A. Zoo, brought to life with electronic "brains," take visitors back in time for a colossal adventure, providing a rare chance to discover a lost world from millions upon millions of years ago while warning about the very real threat of extinction faced today by many endangered species. Entry to Dinosaurs is just $5 per person in addition to regular Zoo admission.

"We invite everyone get outdoors and enjoy our wonderful winter weather while the Zoo celebrates its 50th Anniversary," says Kait Hilliard, Vice President - Marketing and Communications for the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association. "The Zoo is an especially beautiful and enriching place to spend quality time with kids and extended family during the holiday season."

The landmark Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, drawing nearly 1.8 million visitors each year, is home to a diverse collection of 1,100 animals representing 250 different species, many of which are rare or endangered, as well as a botanical collection comprising over 800 different plant species with approximately 7,000 individual plants. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), whose members meet rigorous professional standards for animal welfare, the Zoo has achieved renown as an international leader in the preservation of endangered species and a conservation center for the care and study of wildlife. The L.A. Zoo's lush grounds on 113 acres feature Rainforest of the Americas, an extraordinary collection of endangered and exotic mammals, reptiles, fish and amphibians living in spaces that exemplify their natural habitat in the rainforest biosphere; Chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains, home to one of the largest troops of chimpanzees in the United States; Red Ape Rain Forest, where visitors can walk among orangutans; the LAIR (Living Amphibians, Invertebrates, and Reptiles); Elephants of Asia; Campo Gorilla Reserve; and one of the largest flocks of flamingos in any zoo in the world.

Among other highlights are an extraordinary, hands-on Hippo Encounter; the Winnick Family Children's Zoo and Muriel's Ranch animal contact area; the Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel; a variety of daily opportunities to learn more about animals, including close-up visits, special feedings and intriguing talks; and much more. The private, non-profit Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA), which has supported the Zoo in partnership with the City of Los Angeles for more than five decades and provides funding for and operates seven essential Zoo departments, has 60,000 member households representing more than 240,000 adults and children. As evidence of the Zoo's popularity, GLAZA attracts one of the largest membership bases of any cultural organization in Los Angeles.

All Reindeer Romp activities, except Santa photos, are free with paid Zoo admission, which is $20 for general admission (ages 13 to 61); $17 for seniors (ages 62+), and $15 for children (ages 2 to 12). No ticket is required for children under age two. Admission for Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association members is free. Entry to Dinosaurs is just $5 per person in addition to regular Zoo admission.

The Los Angeles Zoo is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Free parking is available. For additional information, contact (323) 644-4200 or visit www.lazoo.org/reindeerromp.

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