Total Eclipse 2024

People and animals experience a total solar eclipse at the Dallas Zoo

The animals at the Dallas Zoo did not disappoint as totality left the sanctuary shrouded in darkness

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The Dallas Zoo is where more than 4,000 people gathered to take in the total solar eclipse on Monday.

The zoo provided a special menu with eclipse-themed pizza and popcorn for guests, some of whom took the time to create special moments during the eclipse.

β€œMy dad drilled little holes so the shadows through the holes were little crescent shapes and he wrote Russ heart Morgie who is my girlfriend,” Russ Nickel from California said.

Russ hearts Morgie, in crescent-shaped moons.
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Russ hearts Morgie, in crescent-shaped moons.

There was also a chance for people to observe the reactions of animals during the total eclipse. The flamingos did not disappoint. They did exactly what Dallas Zoo Zoological Manager Ann Knutson predicted.

"They all gathered in the water where they normally sleep like it was nighttime," Knutson said.

β€œThe flamingos started getting crazy and started getting in the water because they thought it was time to sleep,” visitor Mara Villeda, of Arlington, said.

The moment of totality had several different animals acting a little strange with zebras and giraffes running around.

But for the people here who experienced totality, it was a moment they’ll never forget.

Flamingos at the Dallas Zoo gather in the pool, fooled by the total eclipse into thinking it was bedtime, Monday, April 8, 2024.
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Flamingos at the Dallas Zoo gather in the pool, fooled by the total eclipse into thinking it was bedtime, Monday, April 8, 2024.

β€œIt was marvelous,” Claudia Mares from Mexico City said. β€œIt’s amazing the power of God.”

β€œIt was amazing,” Villeda said. β€œI started crying when everything went dark.”

β€œI felt like my lizard brain took over,” Nickel said. β€œI got goosebumps and all mystical. I don’t know, like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.”

β€œThis was incredible,” Tiffanni Story from Oklahoma said. β€œIt was worth skipping work. Skipping school. It was very cosmic.”

β€œWhen it first started happening, I got chills,” 17-year-old Dillon Stidwell from Oklahoma said. β€œI was just super excited.  It felt like it was straight out of a video game. I’m a gamer. It felt like a Fortnite event.”

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