Nashville, TN – The Shell Station will soon be open for business. Nashville Zoo’s newest interactive exhibit featuring Sulcata tortoises opens to the public this Saturday, July 4th.
“Nashville Zoo is thrilled to add another immersive experience that engages our visitors and connects them to the wild in a hands-on way,” said Rick Schwartz, Zoo president. “We thank Scott and Tracie Hamilton for funding this exhibit and adding another great educational opportunity for our guests.”
The Shell Station features up to 24 Sulcata tortoises that range in age from three to five years old.
“We are so honored to be a part of Nashville Zoo’s growth,” said Tracie Hamilton. “This exhibit is another fine example of the Zoo’s ability to offer exceptional experiences to the Nashville community.”
The Shell Station is open during the Zoo’s regular hours, 9:00am – 6:00pm beginning July 4th. The exhibit is included with admission or membership.
Sulcata tortoises are native to the Sahara desert in North Africa. They are the third largest tortoise in the world and can live to be over 70 years old. Because they are native in hot dry areas with no permanent water source, tortoises are well adapted for spending long periods of time without hydration.
Sulcata tortoises are listed as Vulnerable by the International Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and wild populations are decreasing due to desertification, overgrazing, population expansion and the collection of wild tortoises for trade.
About the Nashville Zoo
Nashville Zoo is accredited by the prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums, assuring the highest standards of animal care and husbandry. Attracting more than 830,000 visitors annually, the Zoo is considered one of the top things to do in Nashville. The Zoo is a non-profit organization located at 3777 Nolensville Pike and is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
The mission of Nashville Zoo is to inspire a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation and leadership.
For more information about Nashville Zoo, call 615.833.1534 or visit www.nashvillezoo.org
