Nov 15, 2002 2 min read

PITTSBURGH – Zoo officials announced that the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium will be closed Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28. In the past, the zoo has been open on Thanksgiving.

The zoo will be open as usual on Friday, Nov. 29.

The only other day that the zoo is scheduled to be closed is Christmas Day.

“We’ve looked at attendance numbers on past Thanksgivings and they tend to be low, since it’s a day that most people stay at home with their families,” said Dr. Barbara Baker, the zoo’s president and chief executive officer.

“The decision to close the zoo will mean that the majority of our staff can be at home with their families,” Baker said.

“Of course, key animal care staff will be coming in to feed and clean animal areas,” she added.

Thanksgiving Day attendance during the last five years was less than 500 visitors, according to Baker.

The last time the zoo closed for Thanksgiving was in 2000 due to an early snowstorm.

Conveniently accessible from all sides of the city, the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is open all-year round.

For directions, hours and ticket sales information, call the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPGAquarium at 412-665-3640.

Members visit the Pittsburgh Zoo for free.

Call 412-365-2534 for membership information about the Pittsburgh Zoo.

Visit the zoo’s new Web site at www.pittsburghzoo.com.