By now, everyone has heard of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, whether you have read the book or seen the movie. It has grabbed hold of people's attention and the message behind the story is very relevant today. The Philadelphia Zoo is also personally impacted by that message, and has opened an exciting new exhibit called "Trail of the Lorax."

This educational attraction is meant to create a way for children to see how important conservation is and to learn how to become a "Lorax" themselves. The Zoo has partnered up with Dr. Seuss Enterprises L.P. to educate and bring awareness on conservation and saving wildlife. It has also partnered up with Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment, which were involved in creating the 3D-CG movie "The Lorax."

According to the Philadelphia Zoo, it will celebrate the year 2012 as "The Year of the Orangutan." It has decided to dedicate this year to preserving the rainforest, which is the orangutans' natural habitat. The zoo also wishes to build understanding among its visitors by using the "Trail of the Lorax" as a very telling tour.

On this trail, there are eight different locations to find new information about orangutans. Each stop on the trail will allow you to see how we are like these majestic primates, and even how we are not alike, including how we may affect them. Some of these locations have hidden messages, so be sure to have a pair of 3D glasses ready, which are provided by the zoo.

One of the stations on this quest takes place in the Big Cat Theater. A short five-minute movie, created by Universal Studios, gives a special insight into the stars who played the characters in the movie "The Lorax," including Taylor Swift and Zac Efron. They share their own personal stories about how they had a connection to the book and what inspired them to become involved with the movie.

Another station that really stands out as a key feature is the Lorax Loft, where children will learn and be actively involved in exploring this two-story space. Along with some fun and useful facts around the loft, there is also important information on how we can directly influence change in the right direction. Children, along with adults, learn that by simply switching from palm oil to sustainable palm oil, we can make such a huge difference in saving the orangutans.

As explained by the zoo, "The production of palm oil, an ingredient in many everyday grocery products, is the No. 1 threat to wild orangutans. Thankfully, a solution is in sight. Sustainable palm oil is harvested from oil palm plantations grown on previously cleared land. This causes no additional destruction of rain forest and animal habitat."

Also in the Lorax Loft, there is an interesting detail about orangutans making a new bed every night. There is a designated area that allows kids to experience how "the making of a jungle bed" is done. There are other things to go discover in the loft as well.

On the journey, there will be friendly staff to assist and answer any questions that may come up along the trail. One of the staff may be junior ambassador Macy Baumgarten.

She said, "The orangutans' population has decreased by 80 percent. The rainforest has decreased by 90 percent. There is a 25-year prediction for extinction for the orangutans. [The zoo] definitely has taught us how to conserve and save for the future. By us doing something now, it will spark someone to plant a tree somewhere else." Continued...

Happy Trails.

IF YOU GO

"Trail of the Lorax"

can be explored

at Philadelphia Zoo,

34th St. & Girard Ave.,

Philadelphia, PA 19104,

through Oct. 31.

Tickets: $15 - $18;

members & children Continued...

By now, everyone has heard of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, whether you have read the book or seen the movie. It has grabbed hold of people's attention and the message behind the story is very relevant today. The Philadelphia Zoo is also personally impacted by that message, and has opened an exciting new exhibit called "Trail of the Lorax."

This educational attraction is meant to create a way for children to see how important conservation is and to learn how to become a "Lorax" themselves. The Zoo has partnered up with Dr. Seuss Enterprises L.P. to educate and bring awareness on conservation and saving wildlife. It has also partnered up with Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment, which were involved in creating the 3D-CG movie "The Lorax."

According to the Philadelphia Zoo, it will celebrate the year 2012 as "The Year of the Orangutan." It has decided to dedicate this year to preserving the rainforest, which is the orangutans' natural habitat. The zoo also wishes to build understanding among its visitors by using the "Trail of the Lorax" as a very telling tour.

On this trail, there are eight different locations to find new information about orangutans. Each stop on the trail will allow you to see how we are like these majestic primates, and even how we are not alike, including how we may affect them. Some of these locations have hidden messages, so be sure to have a pair of 3D glasses ready, which are provided by the zoo.

One of the stations on this quest takes place in the Big Cat Theater. A short five-minute movie, created by Universal Studios, gives a special insight into the stars who played the characters in the movie "The Lorax," including Taylor Swift and Zac Efron. They share their own personal stories about how they had a connection to the book and what inspired them to become involved with the movie.

Another station that really stands out as a key feature is the Lorax Loft, where children will learn and be actively involved in exploring this two-story space. Along with some fun and useful facts around the loft, there is also important information on how we can directly influence change in the right direction. Children, along with adults, learn that by simply switching from palm oil to sustainable palm oil, we can make such a huge difference in saving the orangutans.

As explained by the zoo, "The production of palm oil, an ingredient in many everyday grocery products, is the No. 1 threat to wild orangutans. Thankfully, a solution is in sight. Sustainable palm oil is harvested from oil palm plantations grown on previously cleared land. This causes no additional destruction of rain forest and animal habitat."

Also in the Lorax Loft, there is an interesting detail about orangutans making a new bed every night. There is a designated area that allows kids to experience how "the making of a jungle bed" is done. There are other things to go discover in the loft as well.

On the journey, there will be friendly staff to assist and answer any questions that may come up along the trail. One of the staff may be junior ambassador Macy Baumgarten.

She said, "The orangutans' population has decreased by 80 percent. The rainforest has decreased by 90 percent. There is a 25-year prediction for extinction for the orangutans. [The zoo] definitely has taught us how to conserve and save for the future. By us doing something now, it will spark someone to plant a tree somewhere else."

Happy Trails.

IF YOU GO

"Trail of the Lorax"

can be explored

at Philadelphia Zoo,

34th St. & Girard Ave.,

Philadelphia, PA 19104,

through Oct. 31.

Tickets: $15 - $18;

members & children

under 2, free.

Info: 215-243-1100 or

www.philadelphiazoo.org.&