Knoxville Zoo’s Wee Play Adventure makes its debut

KNOXVILLE — Knoxville Zoo has a new experience designed to inspire preschool and elementary-aged visitors to take an imagination-fueled adventure. Wee Play Adventure, sponsored by Pilot Flying J, is the zoo’s much-anticipated indoor creative play area that features the zoo’s Komodo dragons in one of the best giant lizard habitats in the country. Wee Play Adventure officially debuted today and is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Located in the Pilot Flying J building at Knoxville Zoo, Wee Play Adventure involved extensive construction to create a jungle island that gives kids the chance to immerse themselves in an exotic expedition, just like real animal researchers in the field. Visitors of all ages can get an intimate view of the zoo’s female Komodo dragon, Khaleesi, in a new 1,000 square-foot indoor/outdoor habitat and zoo’s juvenile male Komodo dragon, Drogo, in his new home where he has plenty of room to grow.

Formerly home to Wee Play Zoo, Knoxville Zoo and Pilot Flying J saw the opportunity to transform one of the most popular areas in the zoo to encourage creative play and physical activity year-round, as well as a suitably-sized home for the zoo’s two Komodo dragons.

Knoxville Zoo is Knoxville’s largest year-round attraction. Located off exit 392A from Interstate 40, the zoo is open every day except Christmas Day. Knoxville Zoo is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is committed to the highest standards in animal care and well-being, ethics, conservation, and education. Currently, the zoo is open daily from 9:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Admission and ticket sales stop one-hour before the zoo closes. Next-day admission is free after 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.knoxvillezoo.org.

Published July 19, 2014