From Monday, April 5 to Sunday, April 11, Riverbanks welcomed 63,513 guests.

“This record-breaking attendance emphasizes the fact that Riverbanks is South Carolina’s largest attraction,” said Satch Krantz, executive director of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. “More importantly, many of the guests that visited the park were tourists who came from out of town and out of state and as a result contributed to our local economy.”

The previous record for attendance in a single week, set during spring break of 2002, was 51,835 visitors. 2002 was also the year that the renovated Birdhouse and Ndoki Forest, including the elephant and gorilla exhibits, opened to the public.

While some guests experienced backups on I-126 and long lines at the ticket booth, the week ran smoothly.

“In order to continue to provide our guests with a high quality and exciting experience, it is vital that our proposed bond issue be approved,” said Krantz.

The bond issue encompasses several areas of the park including a completely renovated front entrance, several infrastructure and guest services components, a new and much larger sea lion exhibit, a children’s garden and an Asian animal complex featuring orangutans and komodo dragons.