Things Are Hopping At Good Zoo Exhibit

Things are hopping at Oglebay’s Good Zoo, where the staff has welcomed new gray kangaroos and wallabies to an outdoor exhibit.

“Our visitors just loved the kangaroos in 2006 and asked that we bring them back,” said Penny Miller, zoo director.

The new exhibit, Australian Adventure, brings the kangaroos back permanently, along with their smaller cousins, red-necked wallabies.

“What makes this exhibit exciting is that visitors are actually walking right in the exhibit with the animals,” Miller said. “Visitors stay on the walkways, and the kangaroos have large grassy areas, but they can choose to hop on the walkways if they wish.

According to Joe Greathouse, curator of animals, the kangaroos and wallabies came from zoos across the country including Chicago, North Dakota and South Carolina. All are males, but the Good Zoo hopes to acquire females as they become available. In a month, visitors will be able see red kangaroos as well.

The Australian Adventure is adjacent to the lorikeet walk-through aviary that opened last year. New to the aviary this year is a pair of blue Victoria crowned pigeons.

The zoo is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.