Dallas Zoo sells out summer's first Dollar Day

DALLAS (1080 KRLD)- The Dallas Zoo hosted its first "Dollar Day" of the summer Thursday. People with reservations could get in for $1.

"I love it so much. I'm happy to be here with my grandchildren," one woman said as she took a picture with her granddaughter in a stroller.

"For our kids, they definitely have grown to love animals," a dad said. "Just seeing the wild animals, I think inspires a lot of interesting learning for them about life in general in the world, the need to respect every creature in the world. We think that's really important to understand the importance of life."

The Dallas Zoo says coming out with family can spark a kid's interest in learning more about animals from different parts of the world and their habitat. They say interaction with the animals can inspire more questions and interest in animals a Texan may not see in the wild.

"We have staff, we have our keeper chats, we have our shows and encounters," says the zoo's Kari Streiber. "Those are the ways kids and families are able to not only engage and get excited about the animals, but we can help educate about the animals themselves, about what they're facing in the wild, but also what we can do. That's an important message for us."

Streiber says a trip to the zoo can help people learn what action an individual can take to have an impact on animals in other parts of the world.

"That's our goal. We want you to come to the zoo to have a great time," she says. "We're going to have you learn without even knowing."

Kids arriving with their families had already picked out animals they wanted to see.

"I think it's very interesting and educational," one girl who was looking forward to seeing otters said. "It helps you understand how they live out in the wild and what they do."

"I want to see the dinosaur," her brother said.

The zoo has introduced "Destination: Dinosaurs" presented by Reliant. The exhibit includes five films in its virtual reality experience where visitors can "take a trip back in time."

Temperatures were cooler than usual Thursday with the high forecast in the low 90s, but Streiber says the zoo is prepared for summer heat. The zoo has added dozen misting fans and six places people can go inside to cool off.

Whataburger is sponsoring Dollar Days and had tents at the zoo to hand out cooling towels and fans.

Thursday's Dollar Day sold out, and reservations are required. Tickets are available for the second Dollar Day August 6 HERE. Admission is $1, but parking still costs $12. The zoo is also accessible on DART's Red Line.

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