Hillcrest Park Zoo heating up

link File photo: Tony Bullocks

Sooner the tiger, shown smashing a pinata for a birthday celebration, is one of the top attractions at the Hillcrest Park Zoo.

Editor’s note: Following is one in a series of features about destinations some consider treasures of the High Plains.

Now that the weather is heating up, so is the activity of the animals at Hillcrest Park Zoo in Clovis.

Reason to go

The state’s second-largest zoo is home to more than 100 species of mammals, reptiles and birds.

Featured animals in the 22-acre zoo include Sooner, a 3-year-old Bengal tiger who loves to show off for guests and play in his pool, and Jael and Jerrica, mother and daughter giraffes.

The zoo also includes reptile and bird houses.

It has undergone multiple improvements and changes in the last two years, from expanded animal living quarters to children’s photo ops with animal statues to a new entrance on the east side.

Tall tale

At 12 feet tall, Jerrica, a Rothschild-reticulated cross giraffe who recently turned 3 years old, is nearly as tall as her mother, zoo director Vincent Romero reports.

"She's doing really well," Romero said. Jerrica measured at 6 feet at birth. "She really enjoys seeing the patrons. Because she was born the zoo, she's really used to humans."

New to the zoo

The zoo's latest addition is three capybarras, the world's largest rodent. Indigenious to South America, adult capybarra's reach 4 1/2 feet in length and nearly 150 pounds.

Did you know?

Clovis fire chief R.V. Miller collected exotic animals near the fire station at Fourth and Mitchell streets as early as 1928. By 1931, according to the 1966 history book, “The Clovis, New Mexico, Story,” the populationof what would become Hillcrest Park Zoo included four bears, three deer, five badgers, four porcupines, two alligators, three monkeys, an anteater, an African sheep, two lions and many other animals native to the region.

Go figure

50,000: Annual attendance at the zoo, according to officials

How to get there

The zoo is located at 1208 N. Norris St., Clovis.

Admission: $4 for ages 12 and up; $3 for seniors (60 and up); $2 for ages 3-11; free for children 2 and under.

Contact: 575-769-7873

Website: [email protected]

— Compiled by Rick White, correspondent