ATASCADERO — The City of Atascadero and the Charles Paddock Zoo are excited to announce the grand opening of the new Cerrado Aviaries Exhibit on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 3:30 p.m., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This addition celebrates the Zoo’s commitment to showcasing biodiversity hotspots and conservation efforts.

A special thanks goes to the Atascadero Lakeside Wine Festival Committee and the Friends of the Charles Paddock Zoo for making this exhibit possible.

The Cerrado Aviaries will feature Hyacinth macaws and Toco toucans, two remarkable bird species from the Cerrado biome in Brazil. The Hyacinth macaws, known for their vibrant blue feathers, are the largest of the macaws and are classified as endangered. The Toco toucans, instantly recognizable by their colorful bills, are the largest of the toucan species. Both species play crucial roles in their ecosystem, with toucans spreading seeds for trees used by macaws for nesting.

The Cerrado biome is one of the world’s largest biodiversity hotspots, supporting over 4,800 endemic species and covering one-fifth of Brazil. The Charles Paddock Zoo is proud to focus on such critical habitats, raising awareness of the importance of biodiversity and conservation.

Located at Atascadero Lake Park, the Charles Paddock Zoo is home to over 300 animals, including red pandas, meerkats, a Malayan tiger, and more. As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Zoo is dedicated to preserving endangered species.

For more information, visit charlespaddockzoo.org