Zoos in Texas are expecting some of their biggest crowds of the year this week as students enjoy spring break. In Fort Worth, police were directing traffic as a line of cars stretched in both directions from the zoo there.
"It's really nice. We like to see all the baby animals," one woman said. "It's just somewhere fun for you to go with your whole family."
She said she can have a harder time getting in and out of the zoo during spring break, "but it's worth it."
"We were able to walk around," another mom said with her family. "There are parking spots left."
Last year, 114,000 visited the Fort Worth Zoo during spring break.
"We want everybody to know before they come out here to the zoo to expect a little time for traffic and parking," says the Fort Worth Zoo's Avery Elander.
"We do have Fort Worth Police officers who are managing traffic outside of the zoo. Listen to the officers, follow their directions. They're going to get you in as quickly as possible."
The zoo's busiest day will be Wednesday when admission is half price. Elander encourages people to use Trinity Metro's Safari Xpress, which runs shuttles from Central Station to the zoo. A day pass is $5; your entry to the zoo will be discounted $3. Elander says rideshares can also provide a more efficient way to reach the zoo.
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Families say a visit to the zoo can keep kids interested in learning when they are out of class.
"It does keep the learning going for sure," one mom said. "We started talking about the sounds the animals make, and she started getting into it, so it was fun."
Last year, the Fort Worth Zoo's elephant habitat, Elephant Springs, won the Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement from the Themed Entertainment Association.
The award is given for "excellence, innovation and leadership in the creation of compelling places and experiences."
In November, Bruno the gorilla was born at the zoo. He stood up for the first time without his mother's help in January.
"That's essentially our mission at the Fort Worth Zoo is to connect people with animals and strengthen that bond," the zoo's Elander says.
Details about Safari Xpress are available at https://ridetrinitymetro.org/safari-xpress/. Details and hours for the Fort Worth Zoo can be found at https://www.fortworthzoo.org/spring-break.
Dallas Zoo is also urging people to consider using mass transit to reach the zoo during spring break. Dallas Zoo says parking "may be a challenge during particularly busy times."
DART's Red Line has a station at the zoo. Dallas Zoo says people can also use rideshare.
Details about the Dallas Zoo can be found at https://www.dallaszoo.com/plan-your-visit/general-information/#gref.dallaszoo.com/plan-your-visit/general-information/#gref.
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