Will Zoo Be My Valentine?

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Miller Park Zoo rings in Valentine’s Day with a virtual event packed with heaps of love, fun, and of course animals!

The zoo, located in Bloomington, announced three different packages that are included in the Valentine’s Day event. Two of the deals offered are virtual, and a third option is an in-person delivery.

The first package offered is 20 dollars, and buyers’ valentines will be sent a 30-second video via email including a custom love message from the animal of their choice and the animal’s handler. Senders can choose between Henry the Cockatoo, an eagle, a red panda, a red wolf, or a river otter.

Buyers also have the choice of gifting a plush stuffed animal delivered straight to their valentines’ front door. The eight-to-ten-inch plush animals will come with a tag around their neck featuring a custom message for that special someone. There are six different stuffed animals for senders to choose from, including a red panda, an otter, a red wolf, a tiger, a flamingo, a cow, and a snow leopard. The gift will be delivered to those with addresses in Bloomington-Normal, and the gift will be delivered on Valentine’s Day.

For the price of 50 dollars, buyers can also adopt an animal through the Miller Park Zoological Society for Valentine’s Day, with that offer also running year-round.

“For Valentine’s Day it’s kind of special, because it’s like naming a star. It’s like I have adopted an animal for you, and that helps support the zoo and that animal’s care,” said Morgan Hinchen, guest services manager at Miller Park Zoo. “They get a certificate along with other goodies that supports the zoo as well.”

The upcoming holiday marks the second year that Miller Park Zoo has hosted a virtual Valentine’s Day event.

“We did virtual Valentine’s last year just in the spirit of COVID, trying to engage that virtual community and just add some special options for the holiday,” said Hinchen.

Hinchen said that after last year’s event the zoo had great feedback from the community, with many guests thinking it was a cute idea. Hinchen went on to say that they expect a good turnout this year, already seeing the video and plush packages being purchased.

“This is something you can do for really anybody, it doesn’t have to be for your spouse or your significant other, “said Hinchen. “People get them for their kids and their friends, it’s just to spread a little love on Valentine’s Day regardless of who you are sending it to.”

Orders for Valentine’s Day gifts will be taken through Friday, and to order one of the packages, guests should contact Morgan Hinchen at (309) 434-2250 or mhinchen@cityblm.org