Midwest Zoos

A trip to the zoo can be fun for the whoel family. Jennifer Huls-Wayland highlights several Midwest Zoos (outside Central Illinois) in today`s "Get Out of Town." May 29, 2004 - September 10, 2004 Butterflies! at Brookfield Zoo Wonderful winged creatures are all aflutter at Brookfield Zoo`s popular Butterflies!. The seasonal exhibit features more than 40 species of North American butterflies, including buckeyes, longwings, and Julias. Several hundred butterflies are displayed in the beautifully landscaped exhibit, which also features a wide variety of regional flowering annuals and perennials and grasses as well as water features along a winding pathway. Milwaukee Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens http://www.milwaukeezoo.org/ May 29, 2004 - August 29, 2004 Return to Dinosaur Island Back by popular demand! This summer, 25 life-size prehistoric creatures will inhabit the Zoo`s outside dinosaur yard. These magnificent animals will greet visitors with their mighty roars and amaze all with their realistic movements. Located outside behind the Small Mammals Building. Rated one of the top ten zoos in the world by Child Magazine Last May, the St. Louis Zoos Penguin and Puffin Coast opened. Penguins enjoy an outdoor as well as indoor pool. This summer, the Flight Cage from 1904 Worlds Fair reopens as a cypress swamp that will be home for many birds. www.stlzoo.org At Indianapolis Zoo, an exhibit about seahorses opened in March. www.indyzoo.com At Cincinattis zoo, two rides debuted last year at the zoo - a carousel made of 30 hand-carved and hand-painted animals, and the Safari shuttle, which offers free rides to folks who need help getting around the zoo. Coming next year will be an Education Center which will have 10 classrooms, a large greenhouse and a big auditorium. www.cincinnatizoo.org Many zoos offer programs for groups Become a member of a Midwest zoo and receive free or discounted admission to other Midwest zoos. 30 JUNE 2004 mrm