06/20 ~ GV Zoo Opens One of the Largest Hippo Enclosures in Canada

Greater Vancouver Zoo – MEDIA ADVISORY


Date: June 20th 2006
For Immediate Release

Greater Vancouver Zoo Opens One of the Largest Hippo Enclosures in Canada

Aldergrove – On, Saturday, June 24th, 2006, the Greater Vancouver Zoo will be celebrating the Opening Ceremony for our new Hippo Enclosure (called Hippo Haven). All members of the community in the Lower Mainland are invited to the Opening Ceremony and upon arrival guests will receive welcome gifts (as supplies last), in addition there will be hippo fact tables, face painting and fun hippo games. Country 107.1 FM will be broadcasting live as well.

Details regarding Hippo Haven:

The Greater Vancouver Zoo’s Hippo Haven has both an indoor and outdoor enclosure that is approximately 0.5 hectare (1.2 acres – roughly the size of a football field), is one of the largest hippo enclosures in Canada. The indoor facility can accommodate up to 4 hippopotamus, but at this time the Zoo will only be pursuing a friend for Hazina (our female hippo); once she is completely comfortable in her new home. The heated indoor facility will be used primarily for extremely cold days in the winter and as well for medical check-ups; it also includes a heated pond. The outdoor facility is a wonderful area that provides a large lake for Hazina to lie around and some fun in. The cost to build the complete enclosure is in excess of $500,000.



Media Contact:

Jody Henderson
Marketing & Promotions Manager
Phone: 604.856.6825 x 33
Fax: 604.857.9008
Email: jhenderson@gvzoo.com

To learn more about the good things we do at the Zoo visit us at: www.gvzoo.com or better yet come visit us in person.