By IFM Staff
The Idaho Falls Zoo has been a place where families and friends gather for fun for several decades. Accredited as the “Best little zoo in the West,” this zoo offers the community many different experiences and events.
“It’s a very big honor and also a very big responsibility,” Sunny Katseanes, staff of the Idaho Falls Zoo said. The Idaho Falls Zoo is home to 300 animals and 120 different species. “We always uphold the highest animal care and welfare because they are very dear to us,” Sunny said.
“We call them our zoo family.”
The summer season at the Idaho Falls Zoo offers families and friends different programs, events and activities all season long.
“We have a lot of upcoming events,” Sunny said. “The concert series are really fun for family nights at the zoo. It’s open late, you can come buy your own food and drink and listen to live music while you explore the zoo.”
The concert series at the zoo is only one of several fun family fun days the zoo hosts. On July 8, the zoo will host “Llamaste,” yoga in the zoo; “Carnivore Craze,” celebrating national lion day on Aug. 12 and “Pancakes with the Penguins,” breakfast with penguin pals on Sept. 9. As well as family fun days, the zoo offers educational camps from “Zoo Tots” to “Animal Tails,” spinning the tall tale of why animals have tails and much more.
With over 146,000 visits each year, the Idaho Falls Zoo is quickly outgrowing its space, bringing new plans to expand. The zoo plans to expand into the western end of Tautphaus park and into Funland with hopes to open by mid-summer. “This expansion will allow us to connect more closely to Funland which is now becoming Funland Zoo,” Sunny said.
The plans for Funland to become a part of the zoo will bring a nostalgic touch to the already fun zoo. “Some great updates that are going to provide that awesome all inclusive zoo Funland family experience here.”
For more information about the Idaho Falls Zoo or Funland, visit www.idahofalls.gov or www.funlandatthezoo.com.