How animals will behave during the eclipse is a bit of a mystery given the rarity of the event and is generating a lot of interest with zoo staff and visitors alike. Zoo staff will be doing special eclipse programming and activities, including helping guests identify animal behavior that appears to be directly related to the eclipse, which begins at 1:04 p.m., occludes 99% of the sun at 2:34 p.m. and ends at 3:58 p.m.

Zoo Knoxville will also have a limited number of eclipse viewing glasses for sale on Monday, August 21, for safe viewing of the event. Guests are also invited to bring their own viewing glasses. Discounted tickets can be purchased online at zooknoxville.org using the promo code eclipse17 at checkout, at the zoo’s ticket window or by calling (865) 637-5331 during regular zoo hours.