The Greensboro Science Center (GSC) announced that the popular Zoo Trek program is being relaunched beginning Saturday, July 3.

Zoo Trek is for those who want to do more than simply observe all the animals at the GSC zoo and would like to meet a few.

Participants get to interact up close and in person with some of the residents, which may include okapi, cassowaries, flamingos, Aldabra tortoises, meerkats and prehensile tailed porcupines.

GSC President of Education Martha Regester said, “On Zoo Trek, guests meet not only animals, but the animal care team – which adds a whole new layer to a visit.  This experience gives and in-depth and well-rounded view of animal care in general and lots of stories about our animals in particular.”

Zoo Trek participants learn from the GSC experts about the lives of the resident animals and conservation efforts for their species in the wild in a behind the scenes setting.

Regester added, “We are all about making connections and we hope that by meeting some of our animals our guests will be inspired to dive a little deeper into conservations actions and support that will benefit wild animals and habitats.”

Zoo Trek is available Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.  Children have to be over 8 to participate and those under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult.  Participants under 18 must have a liability waiver signed by their parent or guardian.  Reservations are recommended, but tickets may be available on the day of the visit.  However, ticket sales end one hour before the start of the trek.

Tickets are $55 for members and $55 plus the cost of general admission for non-members.

 For more information about Zoo Trek go to https://www.greensboroscience.org/visit/what-to-do/zoo-trek/index.html

GSC is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $19.50 for adults (ages 14-64), $18.50 for seniors (over 65),  $17.50 for children (3-13) and free for children 2 and under.

Greensboro residents get a $1 discount.