KNOXVILLE, Tenn.- Come have fun with frogs and all of their fabulous friends at Toadally Frogs, a new exhibit opening Saturday, March 1 at Knoxville Zoo's Pilot Traveling Exhibit Center. 

Guests will have the opportunity to see amphibians such as blue dart frogs, Brazilian cave frogs, terrible dart frogs, giant waxy monkey tree frogs, mudpuppies, mossy frogs, marine toads, salamanders and many more. Children will also be able to play at our 'toadally hoppin' pad inside the building. 

Throughout 2008, Knoxville Zoo, along with the many zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), is celebrating the Year of the Frog to fight the extinction of amphibians. Environmental changes have resulted in the decline of amphibians as a whole. The major culprits leading amphibians toward extinction has historically and continues to be habitat loss and the introductions of non-native species. Yet, a rapidly spreading fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is responsible for the faster decline and extinction. Knoxville Zoo and AZA hope to be part of the prevention of amphibian extinction.

The Toadally Frogs exhibit grand opening will kick-off on Saturday, March 1 at 10:00 a.m. with the Ribbit Run, a one-mile fun run through the zoo just for kids. The one-mile course winds through the zoo and ends at the Frog Finish with refreshments and goodies for all of the ribbit runners. Kids who have previously registered for the Cariten Kids Run are encouraged to use the Ribbit Run toward their marathon goal. Not registered for the Cariten Kids' Run? No problem.  Cariten Kids' Run representatives will be at the zoo's entrance accepting registration for the Cariten Kids' Run – a two-month long marathon for kids ending with a final mile run at Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon on March 30, 2008.  Ribbit Run is free with paid zoo admission.

Guests will enjoy seeing the many frogs, toads and many other amphibians in habitats much like what you would find in your own backyard. Visit with our chorus of croakers and learn how to bellow like a bullfrog and talk like a toad. This ribbit exhibit is one you won’t want to miss at Knoxville Zoo!

Toadally Frogs at Knoxville Zoo is presented by Bush Brothers and Company, WIVK 107.7 FM and
WVLT Volunteer TV. 

Knoxville Zoo is located off exit 392 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 daily from 10:00 a.m. until 4:30 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.