Ribbon cutting set for new aviary exhibit at Charles Paddock Zoo
New aviary will house Hyacinth macaws and Toco toucans
– The City of Atascadero and the Charles Paddock Zoo will celebrate the opening of the new Cerrado Aviaries exhibit with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony this Saturday, Jan. 18, at 3:30 p.m. The event will highlight the collaborative efforts of the Atascadero Lakeside Wine Festival Committee and the Friends of the Charles Paddock Zoo in bringing the exhibit to fruition.
The new aviary will house Hyacinth macaws and Toco toucans. The zoo’s Hyacinth macaws, a bonded pair and former pets, are the largest of the macaws and an endangered species. Toco toucans, known for their large, colorful bills, are the largest of the toucan species. The zoo’s Toco toucans are also a breeding pair.
The Cerrado biome, represented by the exhibit, is a biodiverse grassland hotspot in South America, located below the Amazon rainforest and covering about one-fifth of Brazil. It is home to over 4,800 species of endemic plants and vertebrates, including Hyacinth macaws and Toco toucans. The region is essential for biodiversity and the local communities that rely on its resources. Toco toucans help spread the seeds of the trees that Hyacinth macaws use to nest in, showcasing the interdependence of species in the Cerrado.
The zoo, an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, focuses on animals from biodiversity hotspots. These areas cover only 2.5% of Earth’s land surface but support nearly half of all bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian species that cannot be found elsewhere. The zoo’s exhibits aim to educate visitors about the importance of biodiversity and conservation.
The zoo is home to over 300 animals, including red pandas, monkeys, fossas, meerkats, parrots, a Malayan tiger, and various reptiles. Located at Atascadero Lake Park on Morro Road, one mile west of Highway 101, the zoo is open daily.
For more information, visit www.charlespaddockzoo.org.
