Six of Santa's reindeer have begun their journey to Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo for Wild Wonderland, the Zoo's 10^th annual nighttime festival of lights and seasonal celebrations, presented by Publix Super Market Charities. The Zoo has launched a Wild Wonderland web site and Wild Wonderland Facebook page where families can track the reindeer and read postcards from their travels, play reindeer games, have some holiday fun and preview the event which opens December 5. During Wild Wonderland, the Zoo is illuminated with holiday lights, sights and sounds on select nights in December.

Millions of twinkling lights and glimmering holiday displays light up the night. Thousands of LEDs (energy efficient lights) bring new technology to animated displays. Shooting stars and lasers produce more “oohs and ahhs” than ever before. A new Visions of Sugarplums display features a forest with giant trees, holiday fairies, magical scenes and sounds of music boxes. Meet Santa and his real reindeer who have made the journey from the North Pole. See a dazzling Frozen Forest with crystal animals, trees and dancing fountains set to the sounds of festive music. Hear the jingle bells ring on a special holiday horse-drawn carriage ride.

* Have a wild time with free unlimited zoo rides like the Skyfari sky ride featuring tree-top views of twinkling lights or take a spin on the Jungle Carousel radiant with lights. Children can frolic in Frosty's Foam Factory where Frosty and his pals have created a bubble (foam) snow. Holiday themed games will be added to the new Key West Arcade; it's holiday fun for everyone. - more -

Not only a feast for the eyes, Wild Wonderland offers a wide assortment of holiday delights located around the Zoo. A new Sweet Shoppe is opening just in time for the holidays, offering tasty treats including a variety of gourmet cupcakes, specialty cookies, hand-dipped ice cream, candy apples, nostalgic candies and seasonal surprises. Holiday magic runs wild at Wild Wonderland December 5, 10-13, 17-23 and 26-30 from 6-9 p.m. General admission is $13 for adults (ages 12 and over), $11 for children (ages 3-11) and free for children age 2 and under. Annual Zoo Pass holders receive discounted admission. Admission includes free unlimited rides, with the exception of the Jingle Bells horse drawn carriage ride* which is $4 per person.

Tickets are on sale now at www.LowryParkZoo.com. The event is a fundraiser for the Zoo, a nonprofit organization, with proceeds benefiting animal care and education programs. Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo gratefully acknowledges the sponsors and partners who make this event possible: Publix Super Markets Charities, Grow Financial Federal Credit Union, AT&T Real Yellow Pages, Filippo Berio Olive Oil, Ierna's Heating and Cooling and Mix1.

Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo is operated by the Lowry Park Zoological Society, an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to excellence in education, conservation and research. Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and has been named the No. 1 zoo in America by both Parents magazine (2009) and Child magazine (2004). The Zoo is located at 1101 W. Sligh Avenue in Tampa, one mile west of I-275 (exit 48) and is open seven days a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Parking is free. Visit LowryParkZoo.com or call (813) 935-8552 for information. Also find the Zoo on Facebook and Twitter.