NEW BUSINESS: JURROCK'S PARK ZOO OPENS

Jurrock's Park Zoo and Pet Shop has opened in Cape Girardeau.

The new zoo, which features a variety of reptiles -- dragons, giant tortoises, alligators, lizards and toads -- is open six days a week.

"We have more than 80 varieties of animals," said Randy "Rocky" Rainey. "We specialize in the 'giants' of the world."

On display is "Hagatha," one of the world's largest breeds of lizard. Hagatha is only 5 feet long, but the specie will grow to almost 20 feet.

Also at the zoo is "Buddy," a 6-foot-long Veranus Salvatez, a cousin of the infamous "Kimono" dragon.

"Buddy will eventually grow to 10 feet and 200 pounds," said Mary Rainey, Randy's wife, who helps in the zoo operation, and occasionally wrestlers with one of the alligators.

The zoo includes a half-dozen Florida gators, including "Joe," a large gator of 4 to 5 feet long, a number of smaller gators and a 15-foot-long Burmese python.

The Jurrock's Zoo is at 853 S. Kingshighway.

"We also have monkeys, a baby kangaroo, various frogs from miniature to giant, a ringtail lemur, an African pied crow that can talk when it wants to.

"This is a hands-on zoo," said Rainey. "We take groups, or individuals, on tour, and they can actually touch the animals."

The zoo is open form 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. The shop also sells animals and pet supplies.

"We cater to group field trips," he added. "We have a lot of groups through here, from schools, Scouts, and churches. Rainey also conducts drug education classes with the animals at schools, day-care centers, and others places. Additional information is available by calling 332-7006.

"We take a sizable group of animals with us," he said. "Actually, we're the largest reptile zoo in the immediate area."