Thank God it’s February.
At least, that’s what Roscoe and Shanti may be thinking.
The snow leopards are understandably more active in the winter, and the Akron Zoo is hoping local humans will stop by to keep them company.
The cats were the first stars in the zoo’s new Some Like It Cold event running each weekend this month, which will spotlight Grizzly bears Feb. 13-14, red wolves Feb. 20-21 and the zoo’s red panda Feb. 27-28.
“We’re always trying to change things up and keep it interesting,” volunteer manager Shelley Orloski said. So why not take advantage of the cold-weather months by giving special attention to animals that thrive in this season?
Each Saturday and Sunday will feature a talk at the highlighted exhibit at noon and 2 p.m., and indoor craft activities in the Komodo Kingdom from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“If you come to see the snow leopards in July, you won’t see very much,” Orloski said. “But if you come to see them in February, they’re a whole different animal.”
The same goes for the Grizzlies, wolves and panda: “They wear super thick coats all year, so when the temperature drops, it’s their happy time,” she said.
An hour before her noon talk Sunday, zoo volunteer Andrea Nolan was hanging out at the exhibit, pointing out behaviors and traits to folks who stopped to see the snow leopards.
Roscoe was napping on a sun-heated rock that marked the highest point in their mountainesque exhibit, a point from which he could see downtown Akron if he cared to open his eyes, Nolan noted.
Meanwhile, Shanti — resting a few feet from the glass in the front of the exhibit — caused squeals of delight from kids who saw her stretch her jaws in a mighty yawn.
Roscoe joined the zoo when it first opened the snow leopard exhibit in 2005, and he and Shanti have had two sets of cubs.
Linda and Allen Collins of Hinckley Township took their four grandchildren to visit Roscoe and Shanti on Sunday.
During a Christmas fundraiser, the Collins had their grandkids vote on which Akron Zoo animal to financially support. Four-year-old Emma Collins cast her vote for the penguins, while the snow leopards got thumbs up from 7-year-old sister Maggie, and cousins 7-year-old Erin and 11-year-old Caleb Meek.
So with the subject of their generosity being spotlighted Sunday, the Collinses said it seemed a good time to visit.
“We’re outdoor people, so we come here quite often, even in the winter,” Allen Collins said.
Meanwhile, Heidi Goik from Copley was in the company of 11-month-old Carter and 3-year-old Emerson.
“I like it here. I like these guys,” Emerson said as she tried to get Shanti’s attention through the glass.
Goik said the family visits the zoo regularly in the winter if the temperatures turn mild enough.
“This is really the only option to be outdoors other than the playground,” Goik said.
The zoo’s winter hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is $7 per person, with children under 2 admitted free. For more information, visit www.akronzoo.org.
Paula Schleis can be reached at 330-996-3741 or pschleis@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/paulaschleis.