Tools

Zoofari Skylift Takes Riders Above Treetops, Into Animal Kingdom

By Heather VacLav

Story Created: Aug 31, 2012

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2012

Lofted 40-feet above the Montgomery Zoo, you can't help but get excited while riding the much anticipated Zoofari Skylift.
 
After more than two years of planning and building, the Montgomery Zoo opened its Zoofari Skylift to the public August 31.
 
The ride takes visitors to new heights, with riders’ feet dangling above the treetops.
 
“Yeah I was like ‘I can almost touch it,’ but I was way far away from touching it, but I liked using my imagination,” Hayley Gwin said after riding the Skylift for the first time.
 
The Zoo opened the Skylift for free Friday, but encouraged riders to be Pink N' Wild, and donate to the Joy to Life Foundation.
 
“This was fantastic, you see the Zoo in a totally different perspective,” said Joy Blondheim, co-founder of the Joy to Life Foundation. “I would say to everybody in the community and even beyond, you have got to run, don't walk to this thing.”
 
The Zoofari Skylift overlooks all of the animal kingdom, passing over even the zoo’s tallest creatures, the giraffes.
 
“They can ride the train and see things down, but then when they come up on the Skylift Ride it’s something they get to see all through the Zoo,” said Sarah McKemey with the Montgomery Zoo.
 
Even the animals are curious about what's floating above them, but the Skylift gives visitors the chance to look back down, from a bird's eye-view into the wild.
 
In just 15 minutes time, the ride can make even the oldest riders feel like a kid again.
 
Starting September 1st, it will cost $4 to ride, in addition to regular zoo admission. The Zoofari Skylift will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 7 days a week.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

WNCF and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. Comments are posted on site immediately and without station moderation. If you feel a comment is inappropriate you may flag it for review. For guidelines on flagging comments see our Terms & Conditions. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

On Demand

More On Demand