How Mesker Park Zoo says animals will react to the eclipse

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) - The animal experts at the Mesker Park Zoo say this is an important time of year for them.

Not only is Mesker Park Zoo getting increasingly busy as the weather starts to warm up, but the upcoming eclipse is going to have an effect on everyone here, whether human or otherwise.

Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden’s Executive Director Erik Beck says this is an important time of year for the zoo. Warmer temperatures and schools taking their spring break means more people visiting.

Beck says this spring will be especially interesting with the complete solar eclipse, which will have an interesting effect on the animals around us.

“The songbirds that are out, you don’t hear them anymore,” said Beck. “You hear the crickets start chirping, the frogs start chirping. All of those night sounds come alive.”

This sudden reversal of day and nighttime sounds won’t be the only effect. The darkness during the day will also play tricks on larger animals, including at the zoo.

Beck says during the partial eclipse in 2017, many animals moved to their sleeping areas, then came back as soon as it passed.

“The zoo animals, they’re just a little confused,” said Beck. “They not upset or anything, they feel like they missed their dinnertime.”

Beck says people have already been taking advantage of the changing weather at the zoo. He says they had record attendance in February with over 10,000 visitors. He says he’s hoping they carry that momentum into the spring and summer.

“It’s a great place to just spend some time outside away from our screens, away from our TV’s,” said Beck.

For more information on the Mesker Park Zoo and all of their upcoming events, visit https://meskerparkzoo.com/.

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