Foothills Sentry January 2020

Foothills Sentry Page 6 January 2020 The new entrance to the Or- ange County Zoo was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Dec. 14, held minutes before a long line of visitors were admitted to the annual Christmas at the Zoo event. Supervisor Don Wagner an- nounced that the usual $2 per per- son entry fee would be waived for the day, and zoo-goers were given coupons for a free ice cream from a nearby concession. “Nothing says ice cream like a cold, gray and cloudy day,” the supervisor joked, reflecting on the morning’s weather. Gray skies did not dampen the holiday spirit, as critters searched for treats hidden around deco- rated Christmas trees installed in each exhibit, children swarmed the crafts table and everyone posed for pictures with Santa, Mrs. Claus and elves holding small animals. Getting better all the time The new entrance is part of a multi-year, multi-faceted upgrade and expansion plan the county ap- proved in 2013. Perhaps the most welcome addition to the zoo land- scape are restrooms located near the new entrance. The lack of restrooms within the facility was identified as a critical deficiency in a 2006 grand jury report. Be- fore now, visitors were directed to restrooms outside of the zoo on the far end of its parking lot. The zoo is home to mostly native wildlife, many of them orphaned, injured, or otherwise unable to survive on their own in the wild. They come from Cali- fornia Fish and Wildlife or other licensed rescue facilities or sanc- tuaries. Nestled within the bound- aries of Irvine Regional Park in East Orange, the zoo was once the best-kept secret in the county. Although its small size offered up-close viewing encounters with mountain lions, brown bears, eagles, beavers, bobcats and rep- tiles, few residents were aware of its existence. That has changed. Over the last decade, new management, an enthusiastic staff and renewed county interest in the zoo have in- troduced more wildlife exhibits, educational programs, activities, a petting zoo and personal inter- actions with “ambassador” ani- mals. Zoo attendance has swelled to over 285,000 per year. Room to roam The next major expansion proj- ect is a two-acre large mammal exhibit slated for an unused por- tion of the property. It features four separate habitats, a crossover bridge, numerous viewing sites and a keeper and animal-friendly off-exhibit facility, where the large cats can be cared for after hours. The zoo’s current mountain lions, eight-year-old Santiago Upgrades and expansion projects enhance OC Zoo experience for folks and fauna alike Supervisor Don Wagner cuts the ribbon to ceremonially open the new zoo entrance. He is flanked by, from left, Curator of Education Marcy Crede-Booth, volunteer Jim Haiker, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Zookeeper Susan Miles, Zoo Curator Lauren Serrano and Zoo Manager Donald Zeigler. and Modjeska, will be the first to move in to the new habitat. “The exhibit design gives us the flexibility to move the mountain lions from one area to another at first," says Zoo Manager Donald Ziegler. “But we’ll have habi- tat for more animals, and I have plans to make good use of that space.” The same contractor who de- signed and built the new zoo en- trance, Rudolph and Slatten, was awarded the contract for the new exhibit. Work on the $7.4 million project is expected to begin in June or July, with an anticipated completion date in December. “Or January 2021,” Ziegler ac- knowledges. “It’s a major project, and there’s a lot to be done.” Santiago, one of the zoo’s two mountain lions, sniffs out carnivorous treats hidden in his holiday habitat. The coming large mammal exhibit will include four separate habitat areas, multiple viewing locations, water features, native landscaping and lots of elbow (or tail) room. Habitats will be connected by a bridge over a public walkway. Angie Kokesh Advanced Esthetician I.T.E.C. Degree Euro Institute Certi ed • European Facial • Advanced Manicure/Pedicure • Lash/BrowTinting • Waxing Introducing Fine Jewelry by: Shop Sky Jewelry ( 60% of proceeds donated to children’s charity) Products for the whole family, including pets Gift Certificates Available Suzie’s Beauty Supply &Sal 17853 Santiago Blvd Ste 108 Villa Park, CA 92861 (714) 637-6610 (Located Between Rockwell’s & UPS Store in Villa Park Town Center) Happy NewYear! From Inviting you to celebrate our 46 th year in Villa Park Town Center Und New Own ship Full Service Hair Stylist On Sta Valentine’s Day Special $ 50 Deluxe Facial Valid now through Feb. 14, 2020 Valentine’s Day Special $ 50 Deluxe Mani-Pedi Combo Valid now through Feb. 14, 2020 Photos by Tony Richards