Bee City Zoo to introduce exciting new resident

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By: Jessica O’Connor

It all started over thirty years ago when Archie Biering decided to turn his honeybee hive boxes into works of art. After crafting the boxes into a miniature “town,” now complete with Rainbow Row and a pineapple fountain, Bee City was born.

Nestled on the bank of the Edisto River near Givhans State Park, Bee City initially focused on educating the public about the importance of honeybees in our ecosystem. Although still an active bee farm that produces a variety of honey and beeswax products, the establishment has evolved into one of the area’s most beloved family attractions.

The introduction of animals took the Bee City experience to a whole new level for visitors, but now the zoo seeks to reach even higher-pun intended, actually. The park will introduce its newest (and tallest) resident, a fourteen month old giraffe, in August 2022.

“We will be one of few zoos in the state with a giraffe, and visitors will be able to create memories of a lifetime feeding one,” says owner Scott Biering.

Biering shared that giving visitors the opportunity to interact with Bee City’s animals is important to him because of a day from his childhood that he remembers quite vividly. “One of my first memories was of feeding the monkeys through a tube at what is now Hollywild Zoo,” Biering reminisced. “Now we get to be a part of so many people’s first memories here.”

Bee City’s giraffe will join the ranks of the zoo’s animal ambassadors who bring joy daily to those that visit them. Biering noted that he has witnessed numerous occasions in which the gentle touch and patient interaction of the animals has been therapeutic for zoo goers.

Due to the personable and highly food motivated nature of giraffes, Biering anticipates their newest resident quickly becoming a fan favorite.

“It’s just going to be one of the coolest experiences. They’re majestic creatures,” Biering said. “It’s just an enhancement to what we can provide to the public here at the zoo.”

The team at Bee City is currently wrapping up preparations on the giraffe’s enclosure, as well as creating a viewing and feeding area . They anticipate his arrival at the end of July, upon which a naming contest will be held. The winner will be the first to feed the giraffe on his grand introduction day in August, and will be named the “Giraffe Ambassador” for the year.

To learn more about Bee City and all they have to offer for visitors of all ages, visit them on Facebook or at www.beecityzoo.com. There you can find ticket information, a comprehensive list of the animal residents, and the latest news on the giraffe naming contest and other brand new opportunities for fun at the zoo.