Join the night owls for an evening of family entertainment and wildlife wonderment at the San Diego Zoo�s summer adventure: Nighttime Zoo. From wacky bug shows and madcap musicals to oldies bands and enchanting performance art, Nighttime Zoo offers something for everyone in the family.

Nighttime Zoo kicks off June 26 through Sept. 6. Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with most special entertainment taking place from 5 � 8 p.m. Guests are encouraged to begin their adventure early.

After spending the day visiting some of the Zoo�s most intriguing creatures including the giant panda cub, Mei Sheng, the outrageous orangutans, popular polar bears and the rest of the Zoo family, guests will be immersed into a world of exciting nighttime entertainment.

Youngsters will love getting grossed out by Dr. Zoolittle�s award-winning �Gross Bug Show� in the Children�s Zoo. But there�s not only creepy crawlies for the kids � there�s also the dynamic Drip Dudes debuting this summer. Children ages 2 - 8 will love the radical costumed characters from outer space whose fun interactive performances show the importance of water conservation through music and dance.

Guests of all ages will be enchanted by the mysterious performers called Living Garden. The elaborately costumed artists blend into the Zoo�s botanical background and surprise visitors with a captivating encounter. An exotic marble statue slowly begins to move and breathe creating an awe-inspiring fountain of life. A wall of ivy uncoils, grows and moves in a haunting display of earthly artwork.

Music will fill the air throughout the Zoo from a catchy interactive band engaging kids in hula hoop contests to the cool soothing sounds of old Rat-Pack favorites.

A hilarious musical show at Hunte Amphitheater finally answers the pressing question � What do the Zoo animals do late at night when nobody�s watching? Mischief-making apes become true party animals in the madcap comedy �Absolutely Apes � Goin� Bananas!� Performances are at 8:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and two shows nightly, 8:30 and 9:15 p.m., on Friday and Saturday.

The ever-popular �Flights of Fancy� free-flying colorful macaw demonstrations will take place twice nightly across the Zoo�s front plaza. All Nighttime Zoo entertainment and activities are included with Zoo admission. A Best Value admission ticket is the most economical way to enjoy all that the San Diego Zoo has to offer including general admission, guided bus tours, express buses and skyfari aerial tram rides. Best Value admission for adults is $32, and $19.75 for kids ages 3 - 11.

General Zoo admission only is $21 for adults and $14 for children 3 to 11. Two years and younger are always free. Guests may visit the San Diego Zoo�s Web site at www.sandiegozoo.org , or call 619-231-1515 for more information. The 100-acre San Diego Zoo is operated by the not-for-profit Zoological Society of San Diego. The Zoological Society, dedicated to the conservation of endangered species and their habitats, engages in conservation and research work around the globe. The Zoological Society also manages the 1,800-acre San Diego Zoo�s Wild Animal Park (more than half of which has been set aside as protected native species habitat) and the Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species (CRES), and is working to establish field stations in five key ecological areas world wide.

### Media Contact: Paul Garcia +1 619-685-3291 pgarcia@sandiegozoo.org