Photo Credit: Julie Larsen Maher © Wildlife Conservation Society

Owls and other nocturnal animals welcome Winter Solstice

New York, Dec. 20, 2010 – Winter Solstice is the official start of winter and the shortest day of the year, but for the snowy owl at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo the conditions don’t get any better.

Hedwig, the Bronx Zoo’s snowy owl, resides at the zoo’s Birds of Prey exhibit. Snowy owls are typically found in the Arctic. They enjoy the cold weather and are most active at night.  
 
The Wildlife Conservation Society works around the globe and across the snowy owl’s range to save wildlife and wild places. Climate change is just one of many factors that could prove detrimental to the snowy owl as the change in global temperatures adversely affects food sources and habitat. 

Contact:
Max Pulsinelli – 718-22-5182; mpulsinelli@wcs.org
Sophie Bass – 212-439-6527; sbass@wcs.org
 


The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Adult admission is $16, children (3-12 years old) $12, children under 3 are free, seniors (65+) are $14. Parking is $13 for cars and $16 for buses. The Bronx Zoo is conveniently located off the Bronx River Parkway at Exit 6; by train via the #2 or #5 or by bus via the #9, #12, #19, #22, MetroNorth, or BxM11 Express Bus service (from Manhattan that stops just outside the gate.) To plan your trip, visit www.bronxzoo.com or call 718-367-1010.


The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide.  We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo.  Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony.  WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth.