ALL THE DETAILS:
The Sacramento Zoo is thrilled to announce the arrival of three HeroRATs, or African giant pouched rats, to the zoo and the unveiling of a new, interactive habitat.
African giant pouched rats are a special species of rodent trained by our conservation partner APOPO to sniff out tuberculosis, landmines, and trafficked wildlife products in parts of Africa and Asia.
“We’re so excited to bring these heroes and their critically important conservation message to zoo guests.” says Jonelle Mason, Animal Care Supervisor.
This charismatic animal will work alongside our Education Program to teach the public about the issue of illegal wildlife trafficking, and the global efforts being taken to stop it.
HeroRATs are solitary in nature, and the three rats will rotate between a public habitat and two behind-the-scenes habitats with our other Ambassador Animals.
Join us on Thursday, August 20, when one of our HeroRATs will be viewable in its brand-new habitat featuring an interactive play structure located near our African cheetah habitat!
At 9:30 am when Sacramento Zoo CEO, Dan Simon, unveils this habitat and speaks to this exciting new partnership with APOPO.
Then at 10:15 am, watch as our Ambassador Animals team will demonstrate these incredible HeroRATs’ abilities in the zoo’s amphitheater! This demonstration is training for eventual daily HeroRAT shows in the amphitheater that will show our rats work through a maze wall to detect a new scent.
The first 500 guests on August 20 will receive a free, exclusive HeroRAT sticker!
There will be great visuals for the media of this charismatic animal, as well as the opportunity to get a firsthand look at the zoo’s newest, interactive habitat.
This celeb-RAT-ion is included with regular admission and is not something you’ll want to miss!