Roger Williams Park Zoo kicking off summer season

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Roger Williams Park Zoo is kicking off the summer season on Memorial Day weekend with the return of fun, family-friendly events.

Starting May 23, the enchanting “Flutterby: Butterflies in Bloom” exhibit will be open for its second and final season. Also opening that day are the giraffe feedings, featuring a new format this year that makes them assessable to more zoo visitors, and an expanded schedule for behind-the-scenes seal encounters.

“Flutterby: Butterflies in Bloom” is located in the greenhouse just before the Big Backyard outdoor play area. When visitors enter, they will wander through a picturesque 2,100-square-foot greenhouse filled with some of North America’s most beautiful winged wonders – hundreds of beautiful butterflies in bloom. Guests will enjoy observing the butterflies as they emerge from their chrysalises, and watch as they feed in the caterpillar food garden. Interpretive elements in the exhibit explain how to identify the four different butterfly species in the exhibit by name, and offer surprising butterfly fun facts like why they “taste” with their feet or how they use mimicry to survive.

This immersive experience is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (last admission at 4:15), and is $3 per person in addition to zoo admission ($2 for zoo members). “Flutterby: Butterflies in Bloom” is closing its final season on Labor Day.

This year, giraffe feedings will take place in the covered giraffe viewing area, and are open to the general public with no online registration required. Participants will pay $5 for three leaves of lettuce to feed the animals ($4 for zoo members), which they can purchase at a booth just before the feeding area. Food can be split among a group, and visitors must be age three or older to participate. Visitors can choose from two feeding sessions, 11 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. This experience will be offered through Oct. 31.

Visitors can enjoy a close-up seal feeding with an expanded schedule starting on May 23. These special encounters give guests a tour behind the scenes of the harbor seal exhibit, and end with a feeding for the two stars of the show, seals Action and Bubba. Online registration is required for the seal feedings, as space is limited to 10 guests per encounter. They take place at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends through Labor Day, and are $20 per person (must be age five or older to participate).

For more information about these events and visiting the zoo, visit www.rwpzoo.org. Roger Williams Park Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, April through September, and until 4 p.m. in the off-season. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing. Admission is $14.95 for adults, $9.95 for children (ages three to 12) and $12.95 for seniors (ages 62-plus); toddlers two and under, and zoo members, are admitted for free.

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