This new event for 2008 offers guests an opportunity to experience nature like never before through up-close encounters with animals from four continents, including alligators, flamingos, penguins, a kangaroo, a lemur and even a kookaburra. Busch Gardens’ animal ambassadors Jack Hanna, Julie Scardina and Virginia Busch will host special animal shows on four themed stages in Oktoberfest and Jack Hanna’s Wild Reserve while promoting an animal conservation message. “The Wild Side” featuring Julie Scardina is an all-new show just for Wild Days in The Globe Theatre. Encounter live entertainment in this limited-run theatrical extravaganza showcasing animals from Busch Gardens, SeaWorld and Discovery Cove.

Guests can eat breakfast and dinner with Jack Hanna as well as experience a host of other activities, including National Geographic’s penguin “critter cam.” Information on show times and a schedule of events can be found online at www.buschgardens.com/va.

“Wild Days will help increase awareness of the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund and show people how simple actions can help protect animals and preserve their habitats,” said John Reilly, vice president and general manager of Busch Gardens.

Through the Conservation Fund, Busch Gardens participates in species research, animal rescue, animal rehabilitation and conservation education. Busch Gardens has helped reintroduce Mexican gray wolves in the southwest United States, conducted large predator research in Africa and studied penguin populations in the Galapagos Islands.

Busch Gardens is a Worlds of Discovery park. Other Worlds of Discovery parks include Water Country USA in Williamsburg; Busch Gardens in Tampa, Fl.; the SeaWorld parks in San Diego, San Antonio, Texas. and Orlando, Fl.; Sesame Place near Philadelphia; Discovery Cove in Orlando; Adventure Island in Tampa; and Aquatica, SeaWorld’s water park, in Orlando.