Hattiesburg Zoo offers new high-ropes adventure course, first in Pine Belt

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Hattiesburg Zoo held its grand opening for its new high ropes course Thursday. Zoo officials said the the thrilling attraction is set at four stories tall.

VisitHattiesburg's Executive Director Rick Taylor said the new adventure course is the first in the Pine Belt.

"This actually came out of an effort to put a suspension bridge into one of our animal attractions, but after digging into it, we realized that we were not able to" said Taylor.

He added, "But we discovered this ropes course in that process." Officials said the course will help bring in revenue.

"It does help us in getting a broader mix, we can put forth our conservation message, so that they can come and see the animals and that sort of thing" Taylor said.

The zoo's Director of Business Operations, Salem Bunkheila said the ropes course is extremely safe. "We have a sling line that you will be connected to, actually a redundant sling line, you will be hooked into two separate carabiners" said Bunkheila.

"It ensures that you will only come off the element about 3 inches" he added.

Right next to the high ropes course is a special "Sky Tykes" area, which is a lower level ropes course for those under 48 inches or simply less daring.

The nearest high-ropes course outside of Hattiesburg is located in New Orleans, Louisiana.

For more information on the High Ropes Adventure Course, visit HattiesburgZoo.com.