Roger Williams Park Zoo plans to up the adventure for visitors during its busiest season with the re-opening of its summer-long butterfly exhibit, “Flutterby: Butterflies in Bloom,” in addition to the new camel rides and rock climbing wall. 

Starting on May 24, these three attractions will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Sept. 1. There is a nominal fee for each seasonal offering in addition to zoo admission. Tickets may be purchased at zoo admissions or at booths located throughout the zoo.

Visitors must be age 3 or older to participate in the camel rides ($6 per person) and rock wall ($5 per person). “Flutterby” is $3 per person, with those ages 2 and under admitted for free. Alternatively, guests who want to experience the full adventure can purchase an Explorer Pass, which comes with unlimited access to all three activities on the day of purchase. The price for the Explorer Pass is $12 for zoo members and $14 for non-members.

To celebrate the season opening, the zoo will offer a kickoff event on May 24 that will feature games, crafts and activities where guests can learn more about butterflies, camels and animals that can climb. By coincidence, May 24 is also National Tree Kangaroo Awareness Day, and the zoo will have a monitor in its Australia building showing a special video of the recently announced tree kangaroo joey. These activities are free for all visitors with zoo admission.

“Flutterby: Butterflies in Bloom” is located in the greenhouse just before the Big Backyard outdoor play area. When visitors enter “Flutterby,” they will wander through a picturesque 2,100-square-foot greenhouse filled with some of North America’s most beautiful winged wonders – hundreds of beautiful butterflies in bloom. Guests will enjoy observing the butterflies as they emerge from their chrysalises, and watch as they feed in the caterpillar food garden. Interpretive elements in the exhibit explain how to identify the four different butterfly species in the exhibit by name, and offer surprising butterfly fun facts like why they “taste” with their feet or how they use mimicry to survive. The littlest zoo visitors can morph into a “flower in flight” at the butterfly photo station, and learn how to set up a butterfly garden in their own backyard.

Roger Williams Park Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., April through September, and until 4 p.m. in the winter season. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing. Admission is $14.95 for adults, $9.95 for children (ages 3 to 12) and $12.95 for seniors (ages 62-plus). Children under 3 and Zoo members get in free.