Page 70 - SLO Visitors Guide Summer 2023

Atascadero
Friend an animal at the Charles Paddock Zoo
Learn about rare animals and the zoo’s preservation programs
The Charles Paddock Zoo is the only zoo on the Central Coast. The zoo is home to animals from around the world, including Cali- fornia and some of the world’s bio- diversity hot spots where animals and their habitats are threatened. A visit to the zoo is the opportunity to engage with some of the most rare animals in the world in a safe and respectful environment. Many of the zoo residents are part of global programs to preserve animals and their habitats.
The zoo’s Friend An Animal program gives the public the chance to help support some of the zoo’s rare animals. The animals in
the program include the scarlet ma- caw, red panda, Malayan tiger, king vulture, Caribbean flamingo, Af- rican burrowing frog, the Aldabra tortoise, and the fossa. The fossa is a cat-like animal related to the mon- goose family, listed as vulnerable, it is native to Madagascar.
The zoo hosts a number of community and educational events throughout the year. Upcoming events include:
• Ice Cream Zoofari, Saturday, July 15 from 5:30-8 p.m. Beat the summer heat with lots of ice cream while learning about the animals.
• Wild About Art,
Saturday, August 12 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
is a fun-filled day of arts and crafts and workshops.
The zoo’s
events include tours,
arts and crafts projects
and educational classes that are also available all year. There are camps, classes and activities for all ages
and the zoo is a popular
location for birthday parties. The Charles
Paddock Zoo Educa- tion Depart-
ment aims to educate, inspire
and empower today’s youth about
conservation and wildlife.
The Charles Paddock Zoo is
accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums independent accreditation commission. Only zoos and aquariums meeting the highest standards receive this ac- creditation.
The zoo is located just off of Highway 41 within the beauti-
ful Atascadero Lake Park at 9100 Morro Road. The zoo is open daily 10 a.m.–4 p.m. For more informa- tion and upcoming events visit charlespaddockzoo.org or call (805) 461-5080.
70 SUMMER 2023
slovisitorsguide.com