More people than ever are checking out the animals at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park. More than 275,000 people visit the zoo on average in Syracuse every year. But attendance numbers are up more than 15 percent for 2007, and there are a few months left to go! Dozens of families are friends of the zoo, visiting on a monthly basis, like Suzanne Craybas and her two children, who can't get enough of some of the zoo's newest additions. "I like the penguins and how they swim!" says five year old Hannah Craybas. "They jump in!" For the children, the zoo is an excellent educational resource. "They just like to come and see the animals over and over again. They don't seem to get bored with it," Suzanne Craybas says. "They seem to learn a lot!" Another great friend this year is the weather. For the past five consecutive months, attendance totals are up at the zoo. In fact, it has already surpassed last year's total number of visitors and it's only October. Even school days see a good turnout. "On a great weekend day we're looking at about 2,000 people during the summer, so 750 people on a weekday in the fall, that's something we're really proud of," says Lorrell Walter, director of public relations at the zoo. New exhibits and special events help keep the numbers up, too. The zoo has more than 20 different species of animals that live along the outdoor trail and more than 50 inside. "As the cooler weather comes, a number of the animals, especially outdoors, were chosen for our climate," Walter says. "So this is a great time to come on up to the zoo and see what it's all about!" Zoo goers agree and say it's a year-round treat more people need to take advantage of. "I've heard comments like people saying it's small, or the animals are never out. Things like that, but I don't think it's true," reminds Craybas. "You just have to keep coming and you're going to eventually see a lot of really nice things." The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is open 362 days a year; it's only closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. For as little as $33 a year, you can become a Friend of the Zoo and enjoy benefits such as year-round admission and special discounts! Family Memberships start at just $59. For more information, contact the Zoo's Membership Department at (315) 435-8511 extension 129 or 132 or visit the website at http://www.rosamondgiffordzoo.org.