BREW AT THE ZOO IS BACK!
Your favorite Zoo event, Brew at the Zoo Presented by Kendall Construction is back! Try tons of local and domestic beers while partying like an animal with music, games, food trucks, and fun animal encounters! Save the planet: save water, drink beer! This fundraiser helps support Topeka Zoo conservation and education initiatives.
ELEPHANT AWARENESS WEEK
August has Asian Elephant Awareness Week! While Asian elephants are an engaging, unique, and cherished species they are at risk of a virus (EEHV) that can take these loveable creatures down. The Topeka Zoo wants to shine a light on the Asian Elephant, highlight the challenges this species faces and provide an opportunity for the community to help by raffling off a Mega Painting for a Mega Cause from August 9th through 10th!.
GAGE PARK FOUNDERS FEST
Join us for Gage Park Founder’s Fest, a two-day celebration of one of Topeka’s most treasured spaces! The Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, Topeka Zoo, and Shawnee County Parks + Rec are throwing a two-day, family-friendly party in celebration of Gage Park.
Free admission to the zoo with a non perishable food item is sponsored by Kansas Gas Service and Schendel Lawn and Landscape!
STAY LATE, ROAM WILD
Every Wednesday in August, join us by staying late and roaming wild! See the zoo, beat the heat, all for our regular price of admission!
NIGHT OUT AT THE ZOO
Every Friday in August, join us for music, food trucks, AND MORE! Camp Cowabunga is grown ups only and ready for fun! $10 cover charge for admission.
THANK YOU Squeegee Squad Kansas Central and College Hunks for giving back to your community, helping us move Zoo Lights frames in RECORD TIME. 👏🙌
It's one of our favorite months of the year- Asian Elephant Awareness Month! 💗🐘
This year, we're doing our annual raffle for Asian elephant conservation a little different! We're donating a MEGA painting to be raffled for a MEGA cause.
Tembo, our African elephant, had a fantastic time completing a painting with her keepers during one of our elephant chats and training sessions. Not only does Tembo get yummy treats and attention while painting, but it's a fun way to work on behaviors that can translate to helping during medical exams. For instance, Tembo 'signed' her artwork by allowing her care team to hold her trunk while she blows into a focused area. While Asian elephant Cora doesn't enjoy painting as much as Tembo, she still contributed a signature of approval as well! (Not pictured)
Each $5 donation is good for one entry for the drawing that will be done on August 10th after our World Elephant Day Celebration (come see the girls get special enrichment at 11 am!) Funds directly benefit Asian elephant conservation.
Link to enter: https://store.topekazoo.org/#/SpecialEvents/Asianelephant
This year, we're doing our annual raffle for Asian elephant conservation a little different! We're donating a MEGA painting to be raffled for a MEGA cause.
Tembo, our African elephant, had a fantastic time completing a painting with her keepers during one of our elephant chats and training sessions. Not only does Tembo get yummy treats and attention while painting, but it's a fun way to work on behaviors that can translate to helping during medical exams. For instance, Tembo 'signed' her artwork by allowing her care team to hold her trunk while she blows into a focused area. While Asian elephant Cora doesn't enjoy painting as much as Tembo, she still contributed a signature of approval as well! (Not pictured)
Each $5 donation is good for one entry for the drawing that will be done on August 10th after our World Elephant Day Celebration (come see the girls get special enrichment at 11 am!) Funds directly benefit Asian elephant conservation.
Link to enter: https://store.topekazoo.org/#/SpecialEvents/Asianelephant
BLACK BEAR CUBS SIGHTED AT THE TOPEKA ZOO 👀🐻
The Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center is thrilled to welcome two orphaned black bear cubs — a male from Wisconsin and a female from Montana — who are now calling Topeka home! (SAFE, inside Hill's Black Bear Woods!)
Meet Taz, a 7-month-old ball of energy with a dark coat and a big personality. “This little guy is all paws and personality,” says Animal Curator Shanna Simpson. Rescued at just a few days old, Taz is too comfortable around people to return to the wild — and he's already charming the entire team.
Joining him is Kiona (Kee-OH-nuh), an 18-month-old female with beautiful chestnut fur and a calm, sweet demeanor. Kiona means ‘brown hills’ in multiple Native American languages, attributing to her chestnut-brown fur & the fact she was found in Montana. Kiona has vision impairments that make living in human care her safest option. “She’s warming up to our staff and making great progress,” adds Simpson.
“Each year, orphaned cubs need places like ours,” says Animal Care Director Wrylie Guffey. “We’re proud to give these two a forever home and can’t wait to watch them grow.”
Zoo staff are closely monitoring the two cubs, and it is indefinite when they will be mature enough to be in the bear yard, viewable by guests entering Hills Black Bear Woods. Stay tuned and follow us for more cubdates!🐻
The Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center is thrilled to welcome two orphaned black bear cubs — a male from Wisconsin and a female from Montana — who are now calling Topeka home! (SAFE, inside Hill's Black Bear Woods!)
Meet Taz, a 7-month-old ball of energy with a dark coat and a big personality. “This little guy is all paws and personality,” says Animal Curator Shanna Simpson. Rescued at just a few days old, Taz is too comfortable around people to return to the wild — and he's already charming the entire team.
Joining him is Kiona (Kee-OH-nuh), an 18-month-old female with beautiful chestnut fur and a calm, sweet demeanor. Kiona means ‘brown hills’ in multiple Native American languages, attributing to her chestnut-brown fur & the fact she was found in Montana. Kiona has vision impairments that make living in human care her safest option. “She’s warming up to our staff and making great progress,” adds Simpson.
“Each year, orphaned cubs need places like ours,” says Animal Care Director Wrylie Guffey. “We’re proud to give these two a forever home and can’t wait to watch them grow.”
Zoo staff are closely monitoring the two cubs, and it is indefinite when they will be mature enough to be in the bear yard, viewable by guests entering Hills Black Bear Woods. Stay tuned and follow us for more cubdates!🐻
🍻Fresh brews with your crew are only a little over a month away! 🍻
MARK YOUR CALENDARS - September 13 is a Saturday evening to spend at the Zoo. For this year's Brew at the Zoo we're bringing in OVER TEN LOCAL BREWERIES to tap off this year's experience. General Admission tickets include access to samples from all of the listed breweries, live entertainment, and food trucks (additional costs may apply). Or, feel like the valued guest you are by purchasing a VIP ticket- includes a specially curated dinner by 2 Chefs Catering and a full flight board sponsored by Strathman Sales.
Don't feel like drinking? Don't worry, we have tickets just for our much-appreciated designated drivers as well!
Find out more or purchase your tickets by visiting https://topekazoo.org/events/brew/
MARK YOUR CALENDARS - September 13 is a Saturday evening to spend at the Zoo. For this year's Brew at the Zoo we're bringing in OVER TEN LOCAL BREWERIES to tap off this year's experience. General Admission tickets include access to samples from all of the listed breweries, live entertainment, and food trucks (additional costs may apply). Or, feel like the valued guest you are by purchasing a VIP ticket- includes a specially curated dinner by 2 Chefs Catering and a full flight board sponsored by Strathman Sales.
Don't feel like drinking? Don't worry, we have tickets just for our much-appreciated designated drivers as well!
Find out more or purchase your tickets by visiting https://topekazoo.org/events/brew/
See it, like it, WANT it. 🧡🍓 Just in time for Golden Lion Tamarin Day - the babies are eating solid foods and exploring (with family & staff supervision) on their own!
Did you know Zoos and Conservation Centers have been imperative to the survival of the Golden Lion Tamarin species? At one point in the 1970s, the wild population was as low as 200 individuals. Now, thanks to the work and collaborative efforts of Zoos and other non-profit organizations like Save the Golden Lion Tamarin, wild populations are estimated at around 4500 individuals- but they STILL NEED HELP. Visit the Zoo or www.savetheliontamarin.org to find out what YOU can do!
#savetheglt #goldenliontamarin #tamarin #babyanimal #zooborn #snacktime #cuteanimal #toocute #whyzoosmatter #topekazoo
Did you know Zoos and Conservation Centers have been imperative to the survival of the Golden Lion Tamarin species? At one point in the 1970s, the wild population was as low as 200 individuals. Now, thanks to the work and collaborative efforts of Zoos and other non-profit organizations like Save the Golden Lion Tamarin, wild populations are estimated at around 4500 individuals- but they STILL NEED HELP. Visit the Zoo or www.savetheliontamarin.org to find out what YOU can do!
#savetheglt #goldenliontamarin #tamarin #babyanimal #zooborn #snacktime #cuteanimal #toocute #whyzoosmatter #topekazoo
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 - Aug 30*
*Admission free with suggested non perishable food item. First 500 guests are sponsored by Kansas Gas Service. - 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!