Joe Krathwohl, better known as “The Birdman,” is in his final week at the Blank Park Zoo.
“This is my return to Iowa after 20 years when I first performed at the State Fair. This time I had a chance to get out and meet people and see the city. I must say I have met the friendliest people here, and have felt very comfortable living here for the summer. I also have to admit that the rainstorms and humidity were a challenge for a birdman from the desert, but thanks to the Blank Park Zoo, the birds were all protected inside a huge tent building and therefore, even the storms became enjoyable,” said Krathwohl.
The show features many birds including an Andean Condor with an approximate wingspan of 10 feet. Other birds rotated between the shows include a Bateleur Eagle, Eagle Owl, Trumpeter Hornbill, Silver Gulls, African Crowned Crane, Emu, Scarlet Macaws, Red Fronted Macaw, Bare Eyed Cockatoo, Rose Breasted Cockatoo, Augur Hawk, Yellow Naped and Double Yellow Headed Amazon and others.
Some of the popular parts of the show include Chester and Lolita's, (Yellow Naped and Double Yellow Headed Amazon Parrots) talking routine, Sugar’s dollar bill trick and of course the huge Andean Condor flying over the audience.
Thousands of people have seen these shows, so the Zoo has added a couple extra performances, a special 6pm show for Zoo Brew as well as at 6pm this Friday at Family Friday Night.
Krathwohl has been a professional bird trainer for over 25 years and has appeared on Leno, Letterman, Animal Planet, The Discovery Channel, and many other major television networks. He has also established the only educational free flight bird show in the popular resorts of Las Vegas. Through the work of his foundation, The World Center for Exotic Birds, Inc., Krathwohl is pursuing the conservation of Andean Condors through a breeding and releasing program.
There will be two shows Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 1pm and 3pm. Three shows will be held on Wednesday and Friday at 1pm, 3pm, and 6pm. You must be 21 to attend the 6pm Wednesday Zoo Brew show.
Three shows will be held on the Saturday and Sunday at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. The show is free with paid admission to the Zoo. The show will runs through Sunday, July 26.
The Blank Park Zoo, Iowa’s WILDEST Adventure, is open everyday 10am-4pm. Admission is $9.95 for adults, $4.95 for children under 12, and $7.95 for seniors and active military. The Zoo is located at 7401 SW 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50315. Visit the Zoo online at . The Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) The AZA is America’s leading accrediting organization that sets rigorous, professional standards for zoos and aquariums. The AZA is building North America's largest wildlife conservation movement by engaging and inspiring the 143 million annual visitors to its member institutions and their communities to care about and take action to help protect wildlife.