It’s a Koalapalooza at the San Diego Zoo

Photo courtesy of the San Diego Zoo

Join San Diego Zoo for a special koala celebration—Koalapalooza, back for its second year after much popularity in 2009. The fun begins tomorrow, January 15^th, and lasts until Monday, the 18^th.

The event will have live music and tons of exciting entertainment and activities for the whole family. And of course, you’ll get to meet and greet the much-loved denizens of the Down Under!

“It’s going to be a terrific event and people will really enjoy it,” Dani Dodge, San Diego Zoo Public Relations Representative told the Entertainer. “If you come out you’ll get to meet the animals and keepers face to face.”

The San Diego Zoo, which hosts the largest colony of koalas outside of Australia, is excited to transform itself into an Aussie playground. The Children’s Zoo will feature a “Marsupial Madness” show by Dr. Zoolittle, the Zoo’s affable wildlife researcher. The Safari Bush Band and the Didgeri Dude will be rocking out to regional music over at Sydney’s Grill. Several Aussie-themed activities, such as scavenger hunts and Aussie Plant tours, will be going on throughout the day. And to stimulate your knowledge, Zoo researchers, keepers, veterinarians and volunteers will be there to teach you all about our Down Under friends, including kangaroos, kookaburras, and of course koalas!

“Those that attend will also have a chance to name one of our koala babies—a joey,” Dodge explained, “Online, hundreds of people have submitted names and the keepers have chosen the five most popular. The people that attend will be able to vote for their favorite, and the name will be announced on Monday.”

Koalapalooza is the first major event of San Diego Zoo’s “2010 Discovery Days,” a series of three four-day themed events. Look out for Reptilemania and the Festival of Flight later this year.

The koalas and their Aussie neighbors over at the San Diego Zoo will be delighted to meet you, so come on down this weekend to Koalapalooza.