New features at The Living Desert: Camels, butterflies and hummingbirds
As the weather starts to cool down, many people start looking for more activities to do outdoors. Eye on the Desert's Caitlin Thropay shows us two new exhibits at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert in an exclusive story airing Friday, November 15.
"This is our brand new Camel Connection and it’s a really engaging and a fun way for guests to get up close with these amazing animals," Senior Manager of The Living Desert, Erin Scott told Thropay as she showed her the exhibit.
At Camel Connections you can feed them, groom them, and even take a selfie with them.
The zoo acquired four new Dromedary camels.
“That means they only have one hump," Scott said.
A common misconception is that camels store water in their hump when really that’s where they store fat that is then metabolized into the moisture that they need.
These beautiful animals are native to Africa and the ones at The Living Desert are pretty young ranging from eight to 18 months old.
And right next to the camel exhibit is the butterfly exhibit, which the zoo brought back.
“We’re here in Winged Wonders Butterflies and Hummingbirds and this is just a magical garden paradise filled with butterflies and hummingbirds and it’s just a really special and unique way for guests to experience these magical creatures," Scott said.
Inside the colorful oasis you’ll see three species of hummingbirds and 30 species of butterflies including the native Monarch butterfly.
“The Monarch butterfly and their conservation story is something we’re really passionate about sharing," Scott mentioned.
Zoo keepers in the exhibit will teach you ways to help protect their species.
“Guests can learn about how they can help such as planting milkweed in their garden," she said.
If you are interested in either of these two exhibits you are feed the camels from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. for $7 for non members and $5 for members.
The butterflies and hummingbird exhibit is $3 for non members and $2 for members and it's open all day.
