Muntjac And More: Elmwood Zoo Features 6 New Guests

NORRISTOWN, PA — Elmwood Park Zoo has been shut down for all of 2023 as demolition and construction related to the new welcome center and state of the art animal hospital gets underway. But this weekend, the zoo will welcome visitors for the first time in months.

The zoo's first day back will be Saturday, March 18. Doors are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Things will look a little different for the grand reopening, starting with the entrance. Much of the zoo is barricaded from the parking lot, and a special new sidewalk has been built from the lot to the entrance. Construction vehicles are entering and exiting from Harding Boulevard, and guests can use Harding to enter, and the Johnson Highway entrance to both enter and exit.

A full map is available online here.

There are also six new species that arrived at Elmwood over the winter and are making their debut to the public this weekend: golden pheasant, female muntjac, Lady Amherst's Pheasant, mandarin duck, alpaca, and white-faced whistling duck.

RELATED: Alpacas Arrive In Norristown

Of the bunch, the three male alpacas, fluffy, llama-adjacent camelids hailing from the Andean highlands, came with the most fanfare. The boys are all musically inclined: they're named Redemption Song, Ring Starr, and Lyrical Gangsta.

The eagle and bobcat, meanwhile, have been moved to new locations. Details will be available inside the zoo.

There will also be a St. Patrick's Day-themed event throughout the weekend. Special animal meet and greets will take place inside Canopy Gardens Hall, while holiday themed drinks will be served at ZooBrew. There will also be live music performances throughout the day to capture the spirit of St. Patrick.

This will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Music schedule is below:

• March 18: Violinist – Luke Hughes – Canopy Gardens Hall, 1:00 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• March 18 and 19: Dancing on Eire School of Irish Dance – Bison Stage, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• March 18 and 19: Celtic Harp – Mary Kay Mann– Bison Stage, 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• March 18 and 19: Animal Greets – Canopy Gardens Hall, 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m.

Guests who have a yearly membership or purchase a yearly membership before April will receive three free months of member benefits due to the closure of the zoo in January, February, and March of this year.

Into the near future, the Zoo will remain closed on Monday and Tuesday, and will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday through Sunday.