Hogle Zoo sets attendance record of nearly 1 million for '08

Hogle Zoo set an all-time attendance record for the 2008 season, with 995,688 people visiting.

That number beats last year's attendance of 954,551 and is the largest in the zoo's 78-year history.

"The recent improvements we have made in the zoo, such as Asian Highlands and ZooLights!, have been embraced by the community," Hogle Zoo Executive Director Craig Dinsmore said. "I think this will be even more evident as families look for affordable recreation and activities in this challenging economy."

Dinsmore is also encouraged by the high approval the "Renew the Zoo" proposition received in the November election.