Miller Park Zoo closing early on Christmas Eve

[December 22, 2012]  BLOOMINGTON -- Miller Park Zoo has open doors most of the time, with hours from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day but Thanksgiving and Christmas. However on Christmas Eve, the zoo will close to the general public a little early.

Miller Park Zoo closes at 1 p.m. on Monday and will reopen on Wednesday.

Jay Tetzloff, Miller Park Zoo superintendent, says at least one of the residents of the zoo is looking forward to Monday night.

"Last Sunday, one of our two reindeer, Ealu, went through Santa's team testing," Tetzloff says. "Ealu passed with 'flying colors' but Rikka had some pre-tryout nerves."

Rikka has her hooves crossed that she might be picked as a game-day replacement to join the sleigh team. Fans of the zoo can check on her progress by following her Twitter feed @RikkaReindeer.

[Text from Miller Park Zoo file received from Bloomington Parks & Recreation]