N.C. Zoo hosts celebration for iconic elephant

With the school year start just around the corner, seems like a good weekend to take an end-of-summer day trip. The N.C. Zoo, located in Asheboro, is celebrating 40 years of operation during 2014. But one of the zoo’s most iconic animals is also celebrating a 40th birthday.

C’sar, the zoo’s oldest African elephant and the longest resident animal in the park, will be honored with a 40th birthday party this Saturday, August 16. The festivities include a special ice cake made of frozen treats presented to C’sar at 11 a.m. and cupcakes for visitors. The events will also include keeper talks, face painting, educational programs on elephants and a giant birthday card for the guest of honor.

BUGS An Epic Adventure, the giant animatronic bug exhibit, and “Rio: The 4-D experience” are also ongoing through October.

I’ve been to the zoo once, and was impressed at the space the animals have to roam, and the variety of animals there to see. Bring a stroller if you have little ones as there is a lot of walking.

The N.C. Zoological Society, the zoo’s non-profit support organization, will be selling special wristbands with proceeds going to support the zoo’s elephant conservation efforts in Cameroon, Africa. The festivities run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the zoo’s Elephant Exhibit.