Celebrate Shark Week At The Saint Louis Zoo

ST. LOUIS, MO — Take a bite out of summer and celebrate the Saint Louis Zoo’s annual Shark Week presented by Swedish Fish, Sunday, July 8, through Saturday, July 14. The zoo will celebrate Shark Awareness Day on Saturday, July 14.

All land sharks are welcome to join in the fun, the zoo says. Come dressed as a shark during Shark Week and get into Stingrays at Caribbean Cove presented by Mercy Kids for free. (Visitors over the age of 13 must comply with the zoo's adult costume policy as posted on the zoo’s website.)

In addition to the stingrays, guests will have the chance to see and learn about bonnethead, white-spotted, and brown-banded bamboo sharks, all native to the Caribbean. Paying customers to the exhibit will be awarded an “I survived Shark Week” coupon, which will earn them 10 percent off at Ray’s Bar & Grill and all zoo gift shops on the day of their visit. Kids will receive a shark-themed activity guide to take home. On both Friday and Saturday, Swedish Fish Brand Ambassadors will be on-site handing out candy, while supplies last.

From noon to 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, July 13 and 14, feel the warm, soothing beat of the steel drum as you listen to the ethereal blend of calypso, reggae, bossa, Soca and Caribbean music with Lenny Frisch, playing music outside Stingrays at Caribbean Cove. Additionally, on the weekend, kids can join in shark-themed games and activities.

From 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 13, flit your fins with the Mighty Pines at the Jungle Boogie presented by Mid America Chevy Dealers concert at Schnuck Family Plaza in the center of the zoo.

During your visit, make a pit stop at Ray's Bar & Grill, located next to the stingray exhibit (open weather permitting), for street tacos and Dole Whip. Adults 21 and older can enjoy a tropical treat of Dole Whip blended with some island spirits!

Interpreters and zoo educators will be floating around the zoo to enlighten guests about Shark Week and spin tales about their toothy friends.

The sharks at Stingrays at Caribbean Cove are small, shy and docile fish and pose no danger to humans. They range from 2-1/2 to 4 feet in length and prey on small fish, crabs and invertebrates. Come to learn more about these important animals and their underwater homes!

The Saint Louis Zoo is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Admission to the zoo is free. Admission to Stingrays at Caribbean Cove is $4 for non-members. Members at the Family Level and above may use their Anywhere Plus passes for admission. Children under age 2 are free. Admission is free to all exhibits from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the summer.

Save on all attractions with an Adventure Pass. This one-day pass is $12.95 per person and includes admission to Stingrays at Caribbean Cove, Emerson Children's Zoo, Emerson Zooline Railroad, First Bank Sea Lion Show, Mary Ann Lee Conservation Carousel and 4-D Theater.

For more information about Shark Week at the Saint Louis Zoo, visit stlzoo.org/SharkWeek. Follow the zoo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Pintrest.

The Saint Louis Zoo contributed this report.

Photo courtesy of The Saint Louis Zoo