Living Desert Offering Half-Price Admission Through Friday

PALM DESERT, CA - Been wanting to go to the zoo and have some free time this week? Now's the perfect time to head on out to the The Living Desert in Palm Desert, as they are offering half- price tickets Wednesday through Friday in celebration of recent attendance records set at the zoo this year. Plus, the organization says it's trying to break last year's attendance record and is hoping the deal will help them with the final push.

"Along with half-price admission, visitors also will be able to enjoy food and beverage specials in the café and grill," a news release from the zoo said on Wednesday. "Daily programming includes keeper chats, animal meet and greets, giraffe feeding from 9 a.m. to noon, and much more."

From 8 a.m. through 1 p.m. each day, the zoo will be offering discounted $10 general admission tickets for zoo members and guests.

The zoo recently surpassed last year's attendance record of 409,000 guests, marking four straight record-setting years. Officials hope the half- price entry will help the Living Desert reach an attendance goal of 420,000.

"This is a milestone for everyone," said Allen Monroe, the Living Desert's president and CEO. "We're thrilled to be able to offer this incentive and are hopeful that this last minute promotion will help encourage our members and others to visit one more time over the next three days."

"We need just over 600 members and guests to visit by Friday, June 30, to meet this historic goal," said Dawn Petrick, the zoo's director of park services and guest relations. "Our community is one-of-a-kind and we hope they continue to show their support of the Living Desert and help us make history!"

– Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone / City News Service contributed to this report