The zoo says the Carruth Natural Encounters building built in 1962 "has provided countless memorable experiences" for guests.

The zoo said next month's closure is due to the building's aging infrastructure no longer meeting the needs of housed animals.

Ryan Trares is a senior reporter and columnist for the Daily Journal. Send comments to [email protected].

The idea stems from an existing series by author Jerry Pallotta, an award-winning author who has dabbled in everything from alphabet books to nonfiction nature examinations to series on holidays and ...