{"id":2353,"date":"2025-05-12T23:35:33","date_gmt":"2025-05-12T23:35:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fotobreak.com\/news\/franklin-zoo.html"},"modified":"2025-05-12T23:35:33","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T23:35:33","slug":"franklin-zoo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fotobreak.com\/news\/franklin-zoo.html","title":{"rendered":"Franklin zoo: where penguins host tea parties \ud83d\udc27\u2615\ufe0f &amp; sloths moonlight as philosophers? \ud83e\udda5\ud83d\udcdc (spoiler: the llamas are judging you)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id='video-container' data-video-id='f9AwRkgn15U' style='width:100%; height:auto; max-width:587px; position: relative;'>\n<div class='image-video-plugin' style='background:url(\"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/f9AwRkgn15U\/0.jpg\") center no-repeat; background-size: cover;'><\/div>\n<p>        <span class='youtube-play-button'><\/span><br \/>\n        <noscript><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=f9AwRkgn15U\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/a><\/noscript>\n    <\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2>Why did Franklin zoo close?<\/h2>\n<p>Well, buckle up, buttercup. The Franklin Zoo\u2019s closure wasn\u2019t just a case of \u201cthe llamas ate the budget\u201d (though they <i>did<\/i> try). Rumor has it the final straw was a <b>flamingo mutiny<\/b>. Staff reported the pink troublemakers staging a synchronized standoff in the pond, refusing to pose for selfies until their demands for imported shrimp were met. Management called it \u201caesthetic downsizing.\u201d The flamingos called it <b>#ShrimpOrShutdown<\/b>.<\/p>\n<h3>The Animals Unionized (Seriously)<\/h3>\n<p>In a shocking twist, the zoo\u2019s critters formed the <b>Furry &amp; Feathered Labor Alliance<\/b>. Highlights from their manifesto:  <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Penguins<\/b> demanded a 50% increase in herring rations and mandatory <i>Happy Feet<\/i> screenings.<\/li>\n<li><b>Capybaras<\/b> insisted on spa days (mud baths only, please).<\/li>\n<li>The <b>sugar gliders<\/b> union rep was\u2026 hard to take seriously. But they tried.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When negotiations broke down over who\u2019d clean the otter exhibit, the zoo\u2019s CEO reportedly muttered, \u201c<i>This is why we can\u2019t have nice koalas<\/i>,\u201d and handed in the keys.<\/p>\n<h3>Structural Issues (Mostly Giraffe-Related)<\/h3>\n<p>Let\u2019s just say the giraffe enclosure\u2019s roof collapsed. Why? Because Gerald, the 18-foot-tall \u201cwellness influencer\u201d of the savannah, kept practicing <b>aerial yoga<\/b> on the support beams. Engineers labeled it \u201can act of whimsical sabotage.\u201d Gerald labeled it \u201ccore strength training.\u201d Either way, the repairs cost more than the zoo\u2019s entire <i>gift shop nacho revenue<\/i> for a decade. Priorities, people.<\/p>\n<h3>A Misunderstood Marketing Campaign<\/h3>\n<p>In a last-ditch effort to boost attendance, the zoo launched <b>\u201cZoo or Escape Room?\u201d<\/b>\u2014a <i>literal<\/i> game where visitors had to solve puzzles to \u201cfree\u201d the animals. Unfortunately, the <b>red pandas<\/b> solved the locks first. Three vanished into a nearby IKEA, two were spotted critiquing meatballs, and the rest just\u2026 quit. The campaign\u2019s slogan? <i>\u201cIt\u2019s a wild time!\u201d<\/i> The health inspector\u2019s review? <i>\u201cIllegally chaotic. Also, where\u2019s Gerald?\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n<h2>Is Franklin Park Zoo free with EBT card?<\/h2>\n<h3>The Short Answer: Yes, But Also, Prepare for a Mildly Surreal Journey<\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019ve ever wondered whether your EBT card can double as a <b>magic ticket to a red panda\u2019s living room<\/b>, rejoice! Franklin Park Zoo does indeed offer discounted admission for EBT cardholders through the <b>Museums for All<\/b> program. Translation: You can trade metaphorical breadcrumbs for literal peacocks strutting past you like they\u2019re late for a bird board meeting. <b>$3 per person<\/b> (up to four people) gets you in\u2014a price so low, even the frugal squirrels in the zoo\u2019s parking lot would nod in approval.  <\/p>\n<h3>The Nitty-Gritty Details (Or: How to Avoid a Zebra-Sized Misunderstanding)<\/h3>\n<p>Before you sprint to the gates with your EBT card held aloft like Simba on Pride Rock, note the fine print:  <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Bring physical proof<\/b>: Your EBT card + photo ID. No, \u201cmy cousin\u2019s friend\u2019s Netflix password\u201d doesn\u2019t count.<\/li>\n<li><b>Limit of four humans per card<\/b>. Capybaras, however, enter free\u2014if you can convince them to carpool.<\/li>\n<li><b>Check the calendar<\/b>. The deal\u2019s available year-round, but the zoo\u2019s flamingos might unionize for more nap time. Always verify ahead.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Why This Feels Like Finding a Unicorn in the Petting Zoo<\/h3>\n<p>Let\u2019s be real: Zoos aren\u2019t usually where you flex your EBT card. But here, it\u2019s not just about saving cash\u2014it\u2019s about unlocking a world where <b>llamas judge your life choices<\/b> and lemurs leap with the grace of someone who\u2019s never paid a utility bill. For less than the cost of a fancy coffee, you can stare into the eyes of a snow leopard and mutually question the meaning of existence. Pro tip: If the meerkats side-eye your discount ticket, just remind them *their* meals are technically subsidized too.  <\/p>\n<p>Still unsure? Visit the zoo\u2019s website or call ahead. Because nothing ruins a day with kangaroos like showing up unprepared, only to have a staff member gently explain policy while a giraffe looms judgmentally in the background.<\/p>\n<h2>What movie was filmed at Franklin Park Zoo?<\/h2>\n<div class='global-div-post-related-aib'><a href='\/news\/glorious-39-cast.html' class='post-related-aib'><div class='internal-div-post-related-aib'><span class='text-post-related-aib'>You may also be interested in:<\/span>&nbsp; <span class='post-title-aib'>Who\u2019s in the glorious 39 cast? spoiler: it involves time-traveling corgis, a sentient top hat &amp; existential dread (don\u2019t ask)<\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<p>Lights, camera, <b>llama drama<\/b>! The Franklin Park Zoo once traded peanut-throwing visitors for Hollywood crews when it became a star in the 2011 comedy <b><i>Zookeeper<\/i><\/b>. Starring Kevin James as a lovable zookeeper with a heart bigger than a gorilla\u2019s appetite, the film turned the zoo\u2019s giraffes, lions, and (of course) <b>extremely opinionated CGI animals<\/b> into accidental A-listers. Rumor has it the real-life gorillas still side-eye anyone who mentions the phrase \u201cT.G.I. Fridays\u201d after their cameo.<\/p>\n<h3>Behind the Scenes: When Animals Steal the Show<\/h3>\n<p>While humans handled the script, the zoo\u2019s residents allegedly demanded rewrites. Highlights include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>A capybara<\/b> who refused to exit its pool until craft services provided extra lettuce.<\/li>\n<li><b>Flamingos<\/b> practicing their \u201cred carpet walk\u201d between takes (spoiler: it\u2019s just standing on one leg).<\/li>\n<li>The <b>African wild dogs<\/b> forming a pact to photobomb every third shot.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Critics argue the penguins deserved a Best Supporting Actor nomination. They\u2019re still waiting.<\/p>\n<h3>Wait, Did a Penguin Actually Direct a Scene?<\/h3>\n<div class='global-div-post-related-aib'><a href='\/news\/silicone-earring-backs.html' class='post-related-aib'><div class='internal-div-post-related-aib'><span class='text-post-related-aib'>You may also be interested in:<\/span>&nbsp; <span class='post-title-aib'>Silicone earring backs: the squishy guardians your lobes never knew they needed (but now can\u2019t live without!)<\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<p>No, but the zoo\u2019s <b>feathered and furry locals<\/b> did inspire some\u2026 creative choices. The film\u2019s infamous \u201cmonkey business\u201d wedding scene? Shot near the zoo\u2019s Tropical Forest exhibit, where the <b>lemurs<\/b> reportedly heckled the actors between takes. Meanwhile, the <b>Boston skyline<\/b> lurking in the background subtly whispers, \u201cYes, this is a real place\u2014no, you can\u2019t ride the lions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Post-<i>Zookeeper<\/i>, the zoo leaned into its fame. Visitors can now stroll past <b>\u201cGriffin\u2019s elephant habitat\u201d<\/b> (aka the actual Asian elephant enclosure) and ponder life\u2019s big questions, like, \u201cDo the meerkats know they\u2019re comedy gold?\u201d and \u201cWhy hasn\u2019t Kevin James returned for the sequel?\u201d The giraffes, for their part, remain blissfully unaware of their IMDb credits.<\/p>\n<div class='global-div-post-related-aib'><a href='\/news\/best-way-to-meditate-for-beginners.html' class='post-related-aib'><div class='internal-div-post-related-aib'><span class='text-post-related-aib'>You may also be interested in:<\/span>&nbsp; <span class='post-title-aib'><\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<h2>How much does it cost to get into the Franklin Park Zoo?<\/h2>\n<p>Let\u2019s cut to the chase: your wallet won\u2019t need a safari guide to survive this expedition. General admission to Franklin Park Zoo costs roughly <b>what you\u2019d spend on three fancy lattes<\/b> or one deeply regrettable impulse buy at a gas station snack aisle. Adults? $24.95. Kids (ages 2-12)? $19.95. Seniors? $22.95. And toddlers under 2? <b>Free<\/b>, because let\u2019s be real\u2014they\u2019ll just try to ride a goat anyway, and that\u2019s priceless.<\/p>\n<h3>But Wait\u2014There\u2019s a Discount for That<\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019re the type to clip coupons or argue with self-checkout machines, rejoice! The zoo offers deals for:  <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>EBT cardholders<\/b> ($3 per person, because even budgets deserve lion roars).<\/li>\n<li><b>Military personnel<\/b> (discounted rates, because patriotism and penguins go hand-in-flipper).<\/li>\n<li><b>Groups of 10+<\/b> (bulk pricing\u2014like Costco, but with more flamingos).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Pro tip: Check their website for seasonal promos. Sometimes you can snag a ticket for the price of a <i>\u201cI survived Boston traffic\u201d<\/i> bumper sticker.<\/p>\n<h3>Membership: For the \u201cI Saw a Capybara Once and Now I\u2019m Obsessed\u201d Crowd<\/h3>\n<p>If you plan to visit more than twice a year, <b>membership is cheaper than adopting a llama<\/b> (probably). A basic family membership starts around $129 annually\u2014that\u2019s less than $11 a month for unlimited visits, which is basically <i>Netflix for meerkats<\/i>. Plus, you get discounts on giraffe-themed merch and overpriced ice cream. Priorities!<\/p>\n<p>Oh, and parking? $8.25. Think of it as a <b>mandatory donation to the \u201cPlease Don\u2019t Honk at the Peacocks\u201d fund<\/b>. Just pay it. The alternative is circling the lot like a vulture, and nobody wants that kind of irony.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why did Franklin zoo close? Well, buckle up, buttercup. The Franklin Zoo\u2019s closure wasn\u2019t just a case of \u201cthe llamas ate the budget\u201d (though they did try). Rumor has it the final straw was a flamingo mutiny. Staff reported the pink troublemakers staging a synchronized standoff in the pond, refusing to pose for selfies until&hellip;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fotobreak.com\/news\/franklin-zoo.html\" rel=\"bookmark\">Read More &raquo;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Franklin zoo: where penguins host tea parties \ud83d\udc27\u2615\ufe0f &amp; sloths moonlight as philosophers? \ud83e\udda5\ud83d\udcdc (spoiler: the llamas are judging you)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2354,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2353","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fotobreak.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2353","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fotobreak.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fotobreak.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fotobreak.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fotobreak.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2353"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.fotobreak.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2353\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fotobreak.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2354"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fotobreak.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2353"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fotobreak.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2353"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fotobreak.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2353"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}