[Columbia, SC] - Over 900,000 visitors walked through the gates of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden this fiscal year making 2006-2007 the fourth highest attended year in the Zoo’s history. In addition, 30,000 individuals attended wedding receptions, corporate events and after-hours business functions at the Zoo and Garden. “Riverbanks attributes the record breaking attendance this year to a high quality guest experience along with rising gas prices, good weather and an aggressive marketing and public relations approach,” said Satch Krantz, executive director for Riverbanks. “Since opening in 1974, excellence has been instilled in the staff, and it has continued to shine through in their day-to-day interactions with the public over the years.” The average annual attendance at Riverbanks is 850,000. Around 120,000 of those individuals are out-of-state and international visitors. Of the 900,000 guests that visited Riverbanks this year, 200,000 entered through the Botanical Garden in West Columbia. New animals and attractions this year included the hatching of baby flamingos, the debut of the rare white alligator, the female anaconda’s return from the SC Aquarium and the birth of the black-footed kitten. Hundreds of thousands of visitors also adds up to lots of fun at Riverbanks. Last year alone 3 tons of hotdogs were served, 191,000 gallons of soft drinks were consumed, 30,000 children rode a pony at Riverbanks Farm, and the Endangered Species Carousel revolved 1,000,000 times. Last June, Riverbanks welcomed its 20 millionth guest, a notable accomplishment for the state’s largest tourist attraction. The Zoo broke the million visitor mark in the 1989-1990 fiscal year and again in the 2001-2002 fiscal year. Major renovations were completed in 2002 that brought the Birdhouse at Riverbanks, as well as the African Ndoki Forest and Koala Knockabout to the Zoo.
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