Trip Down Memory Lane For Zoo Keys At Philadelphia Zoo

Some old things are new again at America's First Zoo. It is a trip down memory lane as
the Philadelphia Zoo has announced a childhood favorite is returning this spring.

Visitors can use their old Zoo Keys to unlock the upcoming exhibit Creatures of Habit: A
Gazillion-Piece Animal Adventure starting on April 6th and running through September 30th. The display will feature life-size recreations of 30 animals made completely out of another
childhood staple, LEGOs.

The LEGO animal sculptures will be scattered around the 42-acre zoo and the Zoo Key
will allow visitors a chance to learn more about the creatures. Lions, polar bears and frogs (Oh my!) will be featured in the new display. The gazillion piece zoo journey will allow guests to learn
about animals, issues facing their survival while spotlighting the heroes working to save them. Selected LEGO species range from Borneo to Brazil and the Arctic Circle to Africa and range in size from a 500-pound polar bear to the delicate golden lion tamarin.

Vikram Dewan, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Zoo, said the exhibit extends and expands the mission of the zoo in its important conservation work adding that “there is no better time to bring back the famous Zoo Key,” calling it one of the most memorable and nostalgic items for
the millions of children and adults that visited the Zoo while building deep connections with wildlife from around the globe.

A Zoo spokesperson said while your vintage Zoo Key will work to unlock the exhibits,
they will be offering new Zoo Keys that will come in a variety of plastic animal shapes and sizes and the information boxes will be simple to use with patrons not needing to worry about being
intimidated by high-tech gadgets.

According to the Philadelphia Zoo's website, while visiting Creatures of Habit, guests
can use the Zoo Key at audio books located at each LEGO brick sculpture as well as other areas throughout the Zoo. The keys will unlock insider secrets and stories about the animals living at the Zoo, told by the animal keepers who know them best and who care for
them on a daily basis.

The Zoo Key program started at the Philadelphia Zoo in the early 1960's before it was
retired in the early 2000's. Visitors can use their specially designed animal keys to activate an educational recording telling them about the animal they were visiting.

The new LEGO exhibit and the return of the Zoo Key program are likely to be a trip down
memory lane for a generation that grew up with the animal keys while creating new experiences for new visitors to the Philadelphia Zoo.

Now if I can only find my Zoo Key. I think I will check the kitchen junk drawer with all those paper clips and pens.