ROAR & POUR ON SALE NOW!
Early bird tickets for Roar & Pour are on sale now! Don't miss out on this snazzy soirée of wine, food, and fun, all benefitting the zoo and you!
TIGER TRAILS & DEN ACADEMY
Tiger Trails & Den Academy offers an immersive experience that brings guests closer to Sumatran tigers and King Vultures while inspiring future conservation leaders. The Den Academy engages children in hands-on STEM learning, teaching them about wildlife conservation and the challenges tigers face. Through interactive activities, kids develop empathy and a deeper understanding of conservation, empowering them to take action. This initiative is a vital step in nurturing the next generation of wildlife advocates. Join us in making this vision a reality!
WORLD WATER DAY
The Topeka Zoo’s World Water Day celebration will feature a variety of engaging activities and educational opportunities for visitors of all ages, with educational booths, craft booths, edible treats, hands-on activities around the zoo, and Keeper Chats with Zookeepers all part of regular admission from 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
YOU’RE INVITED to an art unveiling worth ROARing about! 🎨
Join us April 4th from 4 - 7 pm at Odin’s Lair (921 N Kansas Ave) in the NOTO Arts District for the unveiling of NINE art pieces by nine different local artists in collaboration with eight Topeka Zoo animal residents. These pieces will be available for silent auction during the Topeka Zoo’s annual fund-raising event, Roar & Pour Wine Fest which takes place Saturday, April 26th.
This collaborative effort & WILDLY FUN endeavor was coordinated by DeAna Morrison of Amused Gallery has produced a unique collection of art in various styles & compositions. This is the 5th year DeAna has graciously coordinated this wonderful collaboration that aids in raising funds for the Zoo’s education & conservation efforts.
The unveiling is free to the public - no sales will be taking place during the unveil.
For more information on Roar & Pour: https://topekazoo.org/roarandpour/
To purchase tickets to Roar & Pour: https://store.topekazoo.org/#/SpecialEvents/RoarAndPour
Join us April 4th from 4 - 7 pm at Odin’s Lair (921 N Kansas Ave) in the NOTO Arts District for the unveiling of NINE art pieces by nine different local artists in collaboration with eight Topeka Zoo animal residents. These pieces will be available for silent auction during the Topeka Zoo’s annual fund-raising event, Roar & Pour Wine Fest which takes place Saturday, April 26th.
This collaborative effort & WILDLY FUN endeavor was coordinated by DeAna Morrison of Amused Gallery has produced a unique collection of art in various styles & compositions. This is the 5th year DeAna has graciously coordinated this wonderful collaboration that aids in raising funds for the Zoo’s education & conservation efforts.
The unveiling is free to the public - no sales will be taking place during the unveil.
For more information on Roar & Pour: https://topekazoo.org/roarandpour/
To purchase tickets to Roar & Pour: https://store.topekazoo.org/#/SpecialEvents/RoarAndPour
As always, we’re excited to partner with KBS Constructors on our upcoming project!
A NEW vision is coming for Sumatran Tigers in Topeka! 👀🐯
The Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center is thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of the Tiger Trails & Den Academy, an immersive experience that will bring guests face-to-face with majestic Sumatran tigers and a NEW species to the Topeka Zoo-King vultures. This educational and engaging attraction is set to open in June 2026.
"Our dedicated animal care team is widely recognized for their expertise and skill in breeding the critically endangered Sumatran tiger. Their tireless efforts in caring for these majestic animals are key to the success of this program. We are excited to provide visitors with the chance to learn from their experience and passion," said Christina Castellano, CEO of the Topeka Zoo.
"We are also truly privileged to carry forward the legacy of Dr. Mark Morris, whose groundbreaking work in veterinary nutrition has had a profound global impact, shaping the diets that nourish exotic animals around the world. The local partnership between Dr. Morris and the Zoo highlights the incredible things that have been achieved right here in Topeka, proving that big ideas can start in our own community and reach far beyond." said Castellano.
Today marks the start of a fund-raising campaign for the final $1 million dollars that is needed to complete the $7 million dollar project. Donors are able to purchase commemorative bricks to be placed near the exhibit, immortalizing their name as a part of the Topeka Zoo's long-lasting legacy.
To find out more about Tiger Trails & Den Academy, visit https://topekazoo.org/tiger-trails/
To purchase or find out more about the brick program, click the following: https://support.topekazoo.org/give/661832/#!/donation/checkout
The Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center is thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of the Tiger Trails & Den Academy, an immersive experience that will bring guests face-to-face with majestic Sumatran tigers and a NEW species to the Topeka Zoo-King vultures. This educational and engaging attraction is set to open in June 2026.
"Our dedicated animal care team is widely recognized for their expertise and skill in breeding the critically endangered Sumatran tiger. Their tireless efforts in caring for these majestic animals are key to the success of this program. We are excited to provide visitors with the chance to learn from their experience and passion," said Christina Castellano, CEO of the Topeka Zoo.
"We are also truly privileged to carry forward the legacy of Dr. Mark Morris, whose groundbreaking work in veterinary nutrition has had a profound global impact, shaping the diets that nourish exotic animals around the world. The local partnership between Dr. Morris and the Zoo highlights the incredible things that have been achieved right here in Topeka, proving that big ideas can start in our own community and reach far beyond." said Castellano.
Today marks the start of a fund-raising campaign for the final $1 million dollars that is needed to complete the $7 million dollar project. Donors are able to purchase commemorative bricks to be placed near the exhibit, immortalizing their name as a part of the Topeka Zoo's long-lasting legacy.
To find out more about Tiger Trails & Den Academy, visit https://topekazoo.org/tiger-trails/
To purchase or find out more about the brick program, click the following: https://support.topekazoo.org/give/661832/#!/donation/checkout
March into a season of flavor, fun, and philanthropy at Jefferson’s! 🍻 For all of March, every Yuengling draft you enjoy—just mention our promo to your server—donates $1 to the Topeka Zoo! 🐾
Order some game-winning wings 🍗, shuck some sensational oysters 🦪, and cheer on your favorite team 🏀 while making a difference for our wild friends. It’s a slam dunk for your taste buds and a "roar-some" cause for the animals!
See you at Jefferson’s—where every sip supports a wild cause! 🐯🙌
Order some game-winning wings 🍗, shuck some sensational oysters 🦪, and cheer on your favorite team 🏀 while making a difference for our wild friends. It’s a slam dunk for your taste buds and a "roar-some" cause for the animals!
See you at Jefferson’s—where every sip supports a wild cause! 🐯🙌
GET UP, KIDS. SPRING BREAK’S OVER. 📢🦁
The fun at the Zoo hasn’t stopped just because the pain of waking up early in the morning is back (though for some of us it never left 🤪). We’re still open daily, 9 am to 5 pm!
📸: Keeper Melissa
The fun at the Zoo hasn’t stopped just because the pain of waking up early in the morning is back (though for some of us it never left 🤪). We’re still open daily, 9 am to 5 pm!
📸: Keeper Melissa
Happy World Bear Day! 🐻
"Does the Zoo even have a bear?" -(many) guests during winter & spring break.
🐻 Yes, yes we do! Val, the North American Black Bear, is currently in her winter's den for a metabolic process known as torpor. Torpor is when an animal's activity rate slows drastically down so they can conserve energy over a period of time where food & resources are limited.
Val typically begins spending more time in her den in October and emerged in March/April in previous years. Recently it has been noted by our Carnivore team that Val has been spending longer periods of torpor in her den - last year she went down in the den in early October and was not regularly out & about in her yard until early May. It is unknown what fully goes into Val's decision process on when to emerge, but assumptions are that it has to do with consistency of mild weather.
If you look closely in the yard at Black Bear Woods (sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition) you may see the entrance to Val's den if you're viewing down from the boardwalk!
🐻Post your guesses in the comments section on when you think Val will completely emerge from her den!🐻
(P.S. as always THANK YOU to Evergy's Green Team for building Val's climber, made with recycled telephone poles! 💚)
"Does the Zoo even have a bear?" -(many) guests during winter & spring break.
🐻 Yes, yes we do! Val, the North American Black Bear, is currently in her winter's den for a metabolic process known as torpor. Torpor is when an animal's activity rate slows drastically down so they can conserve energy over a period of time where food & resources are limited.
Val typically begins spending more time in her den in October and emerged in March/April in previous years. Recently it has been noted by our Carnivore team that Val has been spending longer periods of torpor in her den - last year she went down in the den in early October and was not regularly out & about in her yard until early May. It is unknown what fully goes into Val's decision process on when to emerge, but assumptions are that it has to do with consistency of mild weather.
If you look closely in the yard at Black Bear Woods (sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition) you may see the entrance to Val's den if you're viewing down from the boardwalk!
🐻Post your guesses in the comments section on when you think Val will completely emerge from her den!🐻
(P.S. as always THANK YOU to Evergy's Green Team for building Val's climber, made with recycled telephone poles! 💚)
See news on our facebook page here.
2025 DATES
•Membership Only Events are in orange.
FREE DAYS:
- July 18th- 5pm-8pm.
- August 30th from 9am-3pm
January
- The zoo is open! 9:00 am - 5:00 pm with last admission at 4:30 pm
- Spring break camp enrollment opens - 20th
February
- The zoo is open!
- Friends Giving Society Brunch: Saturday, February 22
March
- Annual meeting for members - March 8th The meeting is in the Kay's Garden venue. We will meet at 1:00pm. Members can enter through the turtle gate to have direct access to the venue.
- Spring break camp March - 10-14
- Docent training March - 19-22
- World Water Day - March 22
- Members Only Giraffe feeding: Saturday, March 8 (1:30 p.m.)
- Wake & Learn- Animal Personalities at the Zoo: Friday, March 21 (8 – 9 a.m.)
April
- Kansas Ballet Performance - April 4-6
- Eggstravaganza - April 12
- Earth Day - April 19
- Roar and Pour - April 26
May
- KS Safe Kids - May 3
- Pollinator Palooza- Wildflower sale - May 10
- Endangered Species Day - May 17
- World Turtle Day - May 24
- Membership drive month – offer 10% off for new memberships
- Member Preview for Dinosaurs Alive! – Friday, May 23 (5:30 – 7:30 p.m.)
- Wake & Learn - Dinos and their Topeka Zoo Relatives: Thursday, May 29 (8 – 9 a.m.)
June
- Oceans Day - June 7
- Rainforests Awareness Day - June 14
- Joel Sartore/Tiger Fundraiser - Day presentation + Evening Event - June 14
- Giraffe Day - June 21
- Member Morning – Saturday, June 14 (Gates open for members at 8 a.m.)
- Member Morning – Saturday, June 28 (Gates open for members at 8 a.m.)
July
- Global Tiger Day - July 26th
- Member Morning – Saturday, July 12 (Gates open for members at 8 a.m.)
- Member Morning – Saturday, July 26 (Gates open for members at 8 a.m.)
- Member Appreciation Night – Thursday, July 31 (5 – 7:30 p.m.)
August
- World Lion Day - Aug 2
- World Elephant Day - Aug 9
- World Orangutan Day - Aug 16
- World Painted Dog Day - Aug 23
- Gage Park Founder's Fest/Free Day - Aug 30*
*Admission is free with suggested non perishable food item. - Ballet Midwest - Wildly Creative Event - Aug 30
- Wake & Learn: Growing Green in the Heart of the Zoo: Saturday, August 9 (8 – 9 a.m.)
September
- Brew at the Zoo - Sept 13
- World Rivers Day - Sept 20
- Member pricing for Zoo Lights (discount codes will be emailed to members)
October
- Chalktoberfest Event - Oct 11
- Chalk and Cheers - Oct 11 at 6 p.m.
- Boo at the Zoo - Oct - 18
- Boo at the zoo - Oct -25
- Boo at the Zoo (Member Only Lane) – Saturday, October 18 (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
- Boo at the Zoo: (Member Only Lane) – Saturday, October 25 (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
November
- Zoo Lights Begins - Nov 20
- Wake & Learn – Behind the Scenes of Zoo Lights: Tuesday, November 11 (8 a.m. – 9 a.m.)
- Member pricing for Zoo Lights (discount codes will be emailed to members)
December
- Cookies with Claus - Dec 6
- Zoo Lights Closes - Dec 28
- Member pricing for Zoo Lights (discount codes will be emailed to members)
- Cookies with Claus (Member Discount): Saturday, December 6 (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
- Gift Membership Drive – Purchase the gift of year-round Zoo Membership!
Our Mission is to enrich our community through wildlife conservation and education.
BE THE DIFFERENCE.
When you become a business partner, you become a huge part of the success of the zoo AND the community! Join us today!