Behind the Scenes

Get Up Close at Zoo Boise

Have you ever wished you could get a little closer to the animals when you visit Zoo Boise? If so, plan a behind-the-scenes tour today!

Zoo Boise is now offering special behind the scenes tours!

Boise penguins, but you’ll learn how the penguins are taken care of by one of our staff members.

These special tours are your chance to get up-close with some of your favorite animals like giraffes, penguins, anteaters, Aldabra tortoise, and more. These tours are very affordable, starting at only $20!

Giraffes Get up-close and personal with the tallest animal on land, with a private behind the scenes giraffe tour. Not only will you get to meet and feed the Zoo Boise giraffes, but you’ll learn how the giraffes are taken care of by one of our staff members.

Penguins Get the best view of Zoo Boise’s penguin colony, from inside the exhibit on a private behind the scenes tour. Not only will you get to meet and feed the Zoo Aldabra Tortoise Come meet our favorite Zoo Boise resident, Mr. Mac, a 375-pound Aldabra tortoise on a private behind the scenes tour. Not only will you get to meet and touch Mr. Mac, but you’ll learn how he’s taken care of by one of our staff members.

Anteaters Are you ready to meet and feed a giant anteater? You can go on a private behind the scenes tour with one of our staff members and feed them some yogurt.

Create an Enrichment Join one of our staff members to make an enrichment for your favorite Zoo Boise animal and then watch as the animal interacts with it. Enrichment is important, because it encourages the animals to use their natural behaviors and abilities.

Visit www.zooboise.org/tours to learn more and purchase your tour today!

spring planting

When is It Safe to Start Your Garden?

New to the Valley? First garden? Heed what locals already know!

Some would say that our winter here in the Treasure Valley was just about perfect. Not much snow on the valley floor, great skiing up above, and enough wind to keep the inversions at bay most days. Many would say an ideal winter is one that doesn't require lots of time spent shoveling so more time can be spent on the mountain! Though our region is behind on mountain snowpack at 84% of normal, we typically see an increase through March and early April, according to the National Weather Service.

This time of year, skiers and boarders are still seeing fair conditions, while golfers are hitting the links across the valley. In fact, many take the

opportunity to ski or board in the morning and golf in the afternoon.

Even as the days warm (and let's face it, we've had some incredible days lately) it's too early to think about planting most of the garden. Admit it. A day or two in the high 60s, and it’s easy to get lulled into a false sense of weather-security.