Columbian Park Zoo will soon say “bon voyage” to one of its most popular Animal Ambassadors, Boxie the Galapagos Tortoise.
Boxie has been on loan from the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas to Columbian Park Zoo since September of 2009. The staff at Gladys Porter Zoo has recommended that Boxie move on to the Akron Zoo in Akron, Ohio to become a companion animal to another lone female Galapagos Tortoise residing at that facility.
Columbian Park Zoo has acquired two new Galapagos Tortoises for our existing exhibit. Gladys Porter Zoo has agreed to loan CPZ two younger tortoises, weighing in at around 30 pounds apiece, for the public to enjoy and watch grow! While the date for the unveiling of these new tortoises in currently unknown, it should be around May 30 or shortly after.
The Columbian Park Zoo will host a going away reception for Boxie from 2:00-4:00pm on Friday, May 18. This special event will take place at Boxie’s enclosure within The Americas area of Columbian Park Zoo. The Zoo will also be celebrating National Endangered Species Day during that time. To commemorate the occasion and support the cause, Columbian Park Zoo will provide special family-friendly activities in The Bill and Donna DeFouw Education Center from 2:00-4:00pm. These activities are free and open to the public.