Busch Gardens Welcomes Baby Thomson's Gazelle

Busch Gardens’ hoof-stock care team is currently hand raising a baby female Thomson’s gazelle. The baby weighed just over four pounds at birth on February 25.

When the calf refused to take milk from its mother, the park’s animal care team started bottle-feeding the baby.  She is now receiving five bottle feedings each day and is weighed daily to monitor her health.  At  about four weeks old, she has already gained more than two pounds.

Thomson’s gazelles, also called “tommies,” are one of three migratory species that make up the vast Serengeti migration. Like the zebra and the wildebeest, the Tommie population can reach more than 500,000 per migration.

 

This baby will remain in the park’s back area until she is healthy enough to join the herd of Thomson’s gazelles on the 65-acre Serengeti Plain. Guests can view the herd from Nairobi Walkway and get close-up views of the animals on the Serengeti Express Railway.

Busch Gardens' Baby Cheetah Is Now Five Weeks Old!

Busch Gardens baby cheetah is now five weeks old and healthier than ever! It is getting around the clock care by animal specialists at the park. 

Once he is old enough, he will join the group of cheetahs living in Cheetah Run, the innovative new habitat opening alongside the Cheetah Hunt launch coaster that will bring guests face to face with these agile predators.

Here are some new pictures of probably the cutest thing we have ever seen! 

To read more about it click here.

Spring Into Fun at Adventure Island with a Weekday Pass!

Adventure Island is now open for the 2011 season, and Busch Gardens’ water park is the go-to destination this spring break.

 

The best way to join in on the fun is with an Adventure Island Weekday Pass, where you Pay For a Day and Play Weekdays All Season. With a weekday pass, you pay the price of single-day admission and can come back all season long, Monday through Friday, with no blackout dates. The cost of the Weekday Pass is $42.99 for both children and adults, and it is valid any weekday, Monday through Friday, through Sept. 5, 2011.

 

For $10 off a single day admission to Adventure Island, visit Domino’s through May 15, 2011, in Tampa, Fort Myers and Orlando to receive a promotion code. Then redeem the promotion code at AdventureIsland.com by May 15, 2011.

 

Also, you can rent a cabana at Adventure Island and enjoy a place for your family and friends to relax all day long. Each cabana includes four chaise lounges, a locker, a mini-fridge with assorted drinks and four souvenir towels. Daily rental prices range from $99.99 to $179.99, based on the time of year.

Cheetah Hunt Theming Update

Today we headed out to Busch Gardens to check out how the pull through was going and to see how theming had come along. 

The whole building has been painted that gold and red rustic color and looks amazing. The stone decorations on the sides on the entrance look to be completed also. Wood poles has been added to the right side of the building and should be added to the left side soon as well. Edging has beenThe windows are uncovered and wood poles have been added around the windows. Poles for fencing are also up along the ride area for the ride restricted areas. Sand is also on site to fill the supports to reduce noise.

The pull through testing was taking place in the Rhino Rally canyon so unfortunately we didn't get to see it and don't have any pictures of it. Thanks for viewing and be sure to check back soon for more updates on Cheetah Hunt and Cheetah Run. 

“Ride Envelope” Testing Begins On Cheetah Hunt!

After bolting in the final piece of Cheetah Hunt’s 4,429’ track just last week, Busch Gardens’ design & engineering team are losing no time in getting the mega-attraction’s trains on the track for the first round of testing.

Yesterday, crews began the slow process of using cranes and pulleys to drag the car around the track. This initial testing is the park’s way of making sure the car glides smoothly along the entire length of the ride, as well as checking that the “ride envelope” – the space around the car and rider with arms fully extended – has plenty of clearance.

This drag testing will take an estimated 3 to 4 days to complete and is the first step to having Cheetah Hunt ready to pounce on Friday, May 27.

Cheetah Hunt Train Pull Through Started,Skyride Tower Lowering Completed, and Wood Theming Added!

Today we have yet another new update from Busch Gardens and it is a huge one! 

The train is starting to be pulled through and should continue through at least tomorrow. The trains beautiful design is now visible and the decals are all applied. The train was on the first launch when we were there and got to at least the overbanked turn by nightfall. 

Also, the lowering of the Skyride tower is complete! They finished it within the time we were there and the cables were in place by the time we left. This insures that the Skyride is still on for a April 22nd opening. 

Lastly, Wood poles have been added long the front of the building and should be added all across the front when construction continues. It really added to the ancient look and looks fantastic. Thanks to our contributor Brad Mel for the pictures! Thanks for viewing!