Asheboro, N.C. — Attendance at the North Carolina Zoo has been steady despite the economic downturn, officials said.

More than 700,000 people passed through the gates at the Asheboro zoo during fiscal year 2008-09, a number on par with the previous year.

Officials said the trend toward “staycations,” or one-day trips close to home, benefited the zoo.

The zoo is located on Zoo Parkway (N.C. 159) six miles southeast of Asheboro off U.S. 220 and U.S. 64. Hours from April through October are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for children 2-12 and $8 for senior citizens 62-plus and college students. For information, call 1-800-488-0444 or visit the zoo Web site at www.nczoo.org.