KNOXVILLE, Tenn.— Spring arrives in a big way at Knoxville Zoo as Big Al, the zoo’s 120-plus-year-old Aldabra tortoise, and his buddy Tex, a “spring chicken” at more than 80-years-old, will make their annual trek to their outdoor exhibit with much fanfare at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28. The excitement will be palpable as visitors watch to see if reigning speedster Big Al, at over 600 pounds, can out-sprint featherweight Tex, who weighs in close to
350 pounds.

The tortoises are housed indoors during the cold months and brought out each spring to enjoy the warm weather. Three Aldabra juveniles who also reside at the zoo will also be on exhibit for the festivities.

Attention: Media interested in attending the “springing” of Big Al and Tex should meet at the zoo’s ranger station, located at the zoo’s main entrance, at 9:40 a.m. For more information, please call Tina Rolen, Assistant Director of Marketing, 865.637.5331, ext. 377 or 865.640.0351.

Knoxville Zoo is located off exit 392A from Interstate 40 and is open every day except Christmas Day. The zoo is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is committed to the highest standards in animal care and well-being, ethics, conservation, and education. Currently, the zoo is open weekdays from 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and on weekends from 9:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Admission and ticket sales stop one hour before the zoo closes. Next-day admission is free after 3 p.m. For more information, please call 865.637.5331 ext. 300 or visit www.knoxville-zoo.org.