KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Despite the cold, the Kansas City Zoo will offer free admission to some residents of the metro on Monday.
Many of the animals at the Kansas City Zoo stay inside during the winter, but there still will be plenty of them to see on Monday when the zoo plans to offer free admission to some area residents.
Some may think polar bears might like the winter weather, but according to Sean Putney, who works at the Kansas City Zoo, that isn’t necessarily the case.
“Actually when it’s gets a little bit colder he doesn’t like to swim as much, so he doesn’t like the cold, when he has his druthers he’d prefer to stay out of the water and stay a little bit warmer,” said Putney.
The weather didn’t keep the Roberts from bringing their three grandchildren to the zoo on Sunday.
“It’s real cold but it’s worth it,” said Shawnee resident, Terry Roberts.
“It’s freezing but it’s fine. We got all bundled up, got out all my penguin gear and here we are having a great time,” said Carla Roberts.
The Roberts braved the cold but temperatures in the teens are too chilly for the penguins they came to see.
“Yeah, it’s 45 degrees in there. You don’t think of coming to the Antarctic to get away from the cold, but that’s the case here,” said Putney.
For the first time Monday, all Jackson and Clay County residents can see the zoo’s new penguin plaza exhibit that opened in October for free.
“We wanted to get it in before the end of the year and say thanks to the two counties that are supporting our tax district. I know it’s going to be a little cold but it will be worth it,” said Putney.
The question is, which animals actually like this kind of winter weather?
“Our otters absolutely love it,” said Putney.
The zoo is open Monday from 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Jackson and Clay County residents can get free admission by showing their ID or utility bill at the door.