Visitors asked to check before coming to due deep snow pack

GRAY — The Maine Wildlife Park on Route 26 in Gray will be making every attempt to open for the 2011 season on Friday April 15 this year.

 However, because of continuing deep snow cover and temperatures that are limiting melting, we are advising our visitors to check the park’s web site at www.mainewildlifepark.com or call 657-4977 to make sure the park is open.

 Visitors will be enjoying the six new small mammal exhibits featuring porcupines, fisher, woodchuck, raccoon, skunk and opossum. Under construction this year is a new mountain lion exhibit, funded by the Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park.

  The free, guided audio tour of the park’s exhibits accessible via visitors’ own personal cell phones has been updated for 2011. Last year over 7,100 people dialed in to hear more about our animals. After dialing the access number, 207-228-1700, a short recording gives fun wildlife facts, information and history about individual animals. The only charge is based on the minutes plan with the cell phone service provider.

 The kickoff day for our summer event schedule is May 7, with a Bear Bonanza.

The Maine Wildlife Park is owned and operated by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

 The Maine Wildlife Park has over 30 species of native wildlife on display, plus wildlife gardens, nature trails, a fish hatchery and other interactive exhibits and displays. The park is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., April 15 through November 11; visitors must leave the premises by 6 p.m.

 Admission to the park is free for ages 3 and under; $5  ages 5-12; $7 for adults, and $5 for seniors. Groups of 15 or more are $3.50 per person.  Season passes are available, and are an incredible bargain for families and groups that visit the park several times over the course of the summer.

 For more information about any of these programs, please call the Maine Wildlife Park at 657-4977; or visit us out online at www.mainewildlifepark.com , www.mefishwildlife.com or on Facebook.