More than 20,000 guests take advantage of free zoo admission

COLUMBIA, SC – More than 20,000 Richland and Lexington county residents took advantage of complimentary admission to Riverbanks Zoo in the three days following South Carolina’s historic flooding.

The Zoo reopened to the public last Wednesday, October 7 offering free admission to residents of Richland and Lexington counties—two of the state’s most devastated areas. Of the 29,345 guests who visited the Zoo last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 22,712 received complimentary admission.Friday’s attendance of 13,752 was the single biggest day in the Zoo’s 40-year history.

“I have not seen anything of this magnitude in my 40-plus years at Riverbanks,” said Satch Krantz, president and CEO of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. “Our thoughts are with all who are suffering. It was our hope that reopening the Zoo would give our guests some sense of normalcy and put smiles on their faces.”

Despite Riverbanks location on the lower Saluda River, the Zoo and Garden received little damage and all the animals remained safe.

Riverbanks is a special purpose district that supplements its operating budget with property taxes collected in Richland and Lexington counties. The Zoo and Garden will once again extend free admission to residents of those counties with the return of Free Fridays in January and February.

For more than 40 years, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden has connected individuals, families and groups with the world’s wildlife and wild places. Riverbanks is a special purpose district governed by the Riverbanks Park Commission, which consists of seven members, two appointed by Richland County Council, two by Lexington County Council, two by the City of Columbia, and one jointly by the three entities. It is the mission of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden to foster appreciation and concern for all living things. Riverbanks Zoo is located at 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, SC 29210. The Botanical Garden entrance is located at 1300 Botanical Parkway, West Columbia, SC 29169. The park is open daily from 9am to 5pm, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas day. Admission is $13.95 for adults, $11.50 for children ages 2 – 12 and free for children younger than 2. Group rates and other discounts may apply. Year-round membership packages are also available. For more information, call Riverbanks at 803.779.8717, visit www.riverbanks.org or www.facebook.com/riverbankszoo.