Baton Rouge Zoo presents ZooZoom 5K and Fun Run Aug. 24

BATON ROUGE - BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo will hold their annual ZooZoom 5K and ½ Mile Fun Run on Saturday, August 24 beginning at 8 a.m. Both the children's fun run and the adult 5K race will take place inside the Zoo.

"We look forward to this race each year," said Phil Frost, Zoo Director. "The Zoo is a spectacular backdrop for a 5K race or a power walk. Our race route takes you through the core of the Zoo which has great shade and beautifully landscaped yards, plus you get to catch a glimpse of our bears, giraffes, monkeys and flamingos."

Registration is now open and can be completed online by visiting www.brzoo.org/zoozoom, or at the Zoo on race day. Adult pre-registration is $19 for Club South members and $22 for non-Club South members. Adult race day registration is $27. Children aged 12 and under may pre-register for $12 or register the day of the race for $17. Prizes will be awarded to first male and female and in age group categories.

A portion of each registration fee supports BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo and its conservation efforts for threatened and endangered animals, particularly the cheetah population.

The cheetah, the ZooZoom mascot is currently identified as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List.

"This year's ZooZoom comes at a perfect time because our two new female cheetahs just arrived to the Zoo," said Sam Winslow, Assistant Director and General Curator.