The Lazy L Safari Park is encouraging people of all ages to make their way through the Parakeet Jungle and down Monkey Row to get up close and personal with a few exotic animals.

The local walk-through zoo has gone through some expansions recently, said zoo director Vicki Lantz, but that's only the beginning.

The most exciting change is the recent addition of the primate exhibit, called Monkey Row. The monkeys are always a visitor favorite Lantz said.

The ring-tailed lemurs, permanent residents of Lazy L, will be joined by Diana monkeys, Patas monkeys and black and white ruffed lemurs -- all on loan from other private zoos.

"They're pretty monkeys which will definitely interest more visitors," Lantz said. "We've also added benches near the exhibit so people can sit and watch them for a while."

Lazy L Safari Park in Cape Girardeau is now home to a new primate exhibit. (Laura Simon)

The alligator exhibit, which is next door to the primates, has also received some extra attention. Visitors strolling around the walk-through zoo can now watch the animals enjoying their new pool.

"The pool was a pretty simple addition to the enclosure," Lantz said. "It also opens up the possibility to put new animals there in the future."

Another major expansion the zoo is experiencing is attendance, she said. The rise in attendance, Lantz explained, is due in no small part to social media and old-fashioned word-of-mouth.

"The zoo has really perked up this year and been a lot busier," she said. "We've had a lot of new people coming in. I know because I ask everyone that walks in if they've ever been here before."

Lantz also pointed out the zoo has many loyal repeat customers, which inspired the idea to create a zoo membership. It's "the best deal" for those who frequently visit the zoo, she said, and allows access to the new Zoo Member Only events.

The first Zoo Members event will be a scavenger hunt held from 6 to 8 p.m. May 17. While this event and others are being planned, Lantz said all visitors, even those without a membership, can expect to see an increase in the number of events hosted by the zoo this year.

"What I would like to do this year is stay open a little longer and have more festivities," she said. "The next two events we have coming up are the Zoofest in June and Safarifest in August."

Lantz said other special events were planned for every weekend in October and a Christmas at the Zoo event would be scheduled between November and December. The zoo will also host educational summer camps and classes this summer with the support of Southeast Missouri State University's Horizons Program and the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department.

More than anything, Lantz said she wants people to know the zoo is for everyone. It's more than a children's petting zoo, she said.

"We have a lot going on at the Lazy L Safari Park and we're not just a tourist attraction," Lantz said. "We want to be a community oriented local zoo where you can learn about our animals and enjoy them as much as we do."

The zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Additional information about events or membership application may be found at the Lazy L Safari Park website, www.lazylsafari.com or www.facebook.com/lazylsafari.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

2763 County Road 618, Cape Girardeau, Mo.