Have you ever been curious to know what goes on at zoos during the winter? Do the animals get shipped south? Do they stay outside and turn to ice cycles?

Ken Frye with the Scovill Zoo in Decatur says winter months is an opportunity to take up maintenance projects and make improvements to the zoo. Some zoos stay open year long and keep their animals on display all year. Frye explains Scovill Zoo closes their doors and they take the warm weather animals to special facilities on their grounds for the winter.

[audio:zoowinter1.mp3]Winter at the Zoo[/audio]

When spring rolls around is about the time the animals' exhibits will be cleaned. Frye says once the snow falls and the leaves are done falling is about when the animals exhibits need maintenance the most.

[audio:zoowinter2.mp3]Zoo Maintenance[/audio]

The Scovill Zoo is currently in the process of working towards the future right now. Part of their winter projects at the zoo is revamping their concession stand. Frye says the old concession stand is being torn down to have a new one built, and also they are upgrading their restroom facilities.

[audio:zoowinter3.mp3]Zoo Renovations[/audio]

The facility upgrade is a part of future plan the zoo has to expand their exhibit to include penguins. Frye is hopeful the construction process for that goal can begin towards the end of the 2012 summer, as they have begun to gather designs and bids for construction costs.