PRESS ROOM

ROYAL OAK, Mich., 

Love is in the air at the Detroit Zoo as romantic duos from penguins to polar bears are featured in a Valentine’s-themed event called Heart Fest on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017.

The event will highlight Detroit Zoo animals who “heart” one another, including some who have produced offspring. Treat-filled piñatas and other items will be provided to the animals as part of a comprehensive animal care program at the Zoo that ensures animal habitats are ever changing and appropriately complex.

“All year round, food items are hidden throughout the animals’ habitats or prepared and placed in a unique manner to stimulate natural behaviors such as foraging or stalking,” said Scott Carter, chief life sciences officer for the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS). With Valentine’s Day approaching, as well as our annual Love Gone Wild event, this is a great opportunity for us to do something special and highlight the animals’ ‘love lives’ in a fun way.”

The Heart Fest schedule is as follows:
• 11 a.m. – penguins (Bruno and Mollie, Diego and Philomene, and others)
• 11:30 a.m. – camels (Rusty and Suren)
• Noon – polar bears (Nuka and Talini) and seals (Kiinaq and Georgie)
• 12:30 p.m. – bush dogs (Chester and Miranda)
• 1 p.m. – wolves (Kaska and Wazi)

Love Gone Wild will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 14, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., in the Detroit Zoo’s Ford Education Center. Open to both singles and sweethearts, this memorable 21-and-older Valentine’s Day event offers a candid and entertaining look at how zoo animals do the “wild thing”. The cost is $40 per person for DZS members and $50 per person for non-members. Tickets are available at www.detroitzoo.org/events/love-gone-wild and must be purchased in advance.