Information about the opening of Maine’s Wildlife Park is contained below.
Maine Wildlife Park opens Saturday
GRAY, Maine – Just in time for Patriot’s Day Weekend and school vacation week, the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray opens Saturday, April 15. The park is open daily through November 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m; with visitors not having to leave the park until 6pm.
“The holiday weekend and school vacation week always brings many families and friends to the park, and this year, visitors will enjoy our improvements,” said Lisa Kane, natural science educator for the department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
The 200-acre park has over 25 different species of wildlife on exhibit, including moose, black bear, fisher, lynx, mountain lions, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, hawks, owls, trout, turtles and more.
Guests visiting the park will see the new, spacious coyote exhibit. White-tailed deer are enjoying their new 3-acre enclosure. The moose are comfortable in their spacious habitat as well. Currently a brand new, state of the art eagle exhibit is under construction, as well as a new duel exhibit for the red and gray foxes. Last year, close to 90,000 people visited the park, despite the rather rainy and unpredictable weather of 2005.
In addition to the variety of wildlife displays, there are nature trails, a visitor’s center with a number of interactive wildlife and conservation exhibits, demonstration wildlife gardens, a show fish pool, picnic and grill areas, and a snack shack. Visitors can also walk to the Dry Mills Fish Hatchery to view brook trout. The Nature Store is always a popular stop for great wildlife gifts, books, t-shirts, hats and educational items.
For school kids and their teachers, there are wildlife education programs offered Tuesdays and Thursdays in May, June, September and October. Additional wildlife displays and programs are offered to the general public Saturdays from May through September. Guided tours are available for groups by appointment. Over 3,000 people took part in the wildlife educational programs and guided tours offered at the park in 2005.
The Maine Wildlife Park is open from April 15 through November 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Visitors are allowed to remain in the park until 6:00 p.m., leaving plenty of time for an after work cook out with your family. Call 207-287-8000 for more information or 207-657-4977 x 1 to listen to the recorded message with current program information. Or visit us on the web at www.mainewildlifepark.com
Admission is $5.00 for adults, $3.25 ages 4-12, and children 3 and under are free. There are special prices for groups of 15 and more, and ages 60+ pay $4.00 for admission.
There are many opportunities to volunteer at the Maine Wildlife Park, including Gate Attendants and Tour Guides. Training sessions have been scheduled for the different positions. Please call Curtis Johnson at the Maine Wildlife Park, 657-4977, to sign up or learn more about our volunteer opportunities.
The Maine Wildlife Park is located off the Maine Turnpike (I-95) on Exit 63 on Route 26 in Gray, Maine, and is operated by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
Tom Remington
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