THE ZOO WILL BE CLOSING AT 4PM TODAY, JANUARY 4TH, DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER.
THE ZOO WILL BE CLOSED SUNDAY, JANUARY 5TH, DUE TO IMPENDING INCLEMENT WEATHER. STAY SAFE!
Enjoy Dinner and Support YOUR Topeka Zoo!
📅 Date: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 • 4PM - 8PM
📍 Location: Chipotle, 2040 SW Wanamaker
🌟 How It Works:
- 25% of event sales will be donated to the Zoo.
- Show the cashier a digital or printed version of the flyer before paying.
- No flyer? No problem! Simply mention the fundraiser at checkout.
🐘 SLAP IT ON YOUR TRUNK 🐘
Show your love for wildlife and the Topeka Zoo with a custom Kansas license plate! For just a $50 annual donation, you can support conservation efforts, provide top-notch care for our animals, and inspire education programs. Plus, your donation is tax-deductible!
Every time you drive, you’ll be spreading awareness and helping the Topeka Zoo thrive.
WHY ZOO'S MATTER
Why Zoos Matter is a program offered to the public by the Topeka Zoo, at no cost, to explore the many ways in which today’s modern zoos impact on today’s world.
This 45-minute power point presentation is availableto organizations through a zoo visit or at their siteto learn why zoos have become so necessary to today’s world.
For questions or to schedule this event for your group,contact the Topeka Zoo at 785-368-9134or ddinwiddie@topekazoo.org.
❗️UPDATE DUE TO WINTER ADVISORY❗️
With the incoming inclement weather, the Topeka Zoo has decided to CLOSE to the public at 4 pm today (January 4).
We will remain CLOSED on January 5. Depending on circumstances, we may or may not be open on Monday January 6 - please check back as we continue to post updates.
❄️ Animal care staff will still be here to provide the best care possible for our animal residents, and are already taking precautions in ensuring staff & animal wellness/safety through the storm.
With the incoming inclement weather, the Topeka Zoo has decided to CLOSE to the public at 4 pm today (January 4).
We will remain CLOSED on January 5. Depending on circumstances, we may or may not be open on Monday January 6 - please check back as we continue to post updates.
❄️ Animal care staff will still be here to provide the best care possible for our animal residents, and are already taking precautions in ensuring staff & animal wellness/safety through the storm.
The Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center is once again accepting live Christmas tree donations, starting December 26th. Donated trees can be dropped off on the southeast side of Gage Park, just east of the horseshoe court parking lot.
To drop off a tree, enter Gage Park from the 10th Street entrance, turn right onto Munn Memorial Drive heading northwest, and look for the orange snow fence near the horseshoe courts. Trees should be placed in the grassy area nearby.
For the safety of the animals, please ensure that all trees are free of ornaments, tinsel, hooks, tree stands, and plastic bags. Donated trees will be enjoyed by various animals, including lions, tigers, owls, giraffes, black bears, mountain lions, painted dogs, and more.
After the animals have had their fun, the trees will be chipped into mulch and repurposed throughout the community. The zoo will accept tree donations through January 8, 2025.
To drop off a tree, enter Gage Park from the 10th Street entrance, turn right onto Munn Memorial Drive heading northwest, and look for the orange snow fence near the horseshoe courts. Trees should be placed in the grassy area nearby.
For the safety of the animals, please ensure that all trees are free of ornaments, tinsel, hooks, tree stands, and plastic bags. Donated trees will be enjoyed by various animals, including lions, tigers, owls, giraffes, black bears, mountain lions, painted dogs, and more.
After the animals have had their fun, the trees will be chipped into mulch and repurposed throughout the community. The zoo will accept tree donations through January 8, 2025.
Loving North America’s only marsupial is IN ✅ for 2025.
We HAD to share this sweet reaction/interaction between guests and our Virginia opossum, Violet. Violet is now housed in a unit inside our Animal & Man building to help her stay warm through the winter season. Make sure to stop by and wave hello during your next visit!
💜 Special thanks to these guests for making our day, giving us hope for future generations of opossum appreciators, and for granting permission to share! 💜
📸: Animal Care Supervisor Carley
We HAD to share this sweet reaction/interaction between guests and our Virginia opossum, Violet. Violet is now housed in a unit inside our Animal & Man building to help her stay warm through the winter season. Make sure to stop by and wave hello during your next visit!
💜 Special thanks to these guests for making our day, giving us hope for future generations of opossum appreciators, and for granting permission to share! 💜
📸: Animal Care Supervisor Carley
New Year, Same Sarge. 🤷🦒👅
Giraffe tongues can be as long as 18-20 inches, very useful for grabbing ahold of leaves or branches to munch on. In comparison, a human’s tongue is approx. 3 inches long, making a giraffe’s about 6 times longer.
📸 1: Keeper Shannon
📸 2: Keeper Ericka
#newyearsameme #giraffe #topekazoo #giraffelove
Giraffe tongues can be as long as 18-20 inches, very useful for grabbing ahold of leaves or branches to munch on. In comparison, a human’s tongue is approx. 3 inches long, making a giraffe’s about 6 times longer.
📸 1: Keeper Shannon
📸 2: Keeper Ericka
#newyearsameme #giraffe #topekazoo #giraffelove
Do you want to work with kids AND animals this summer? 🤩🦒🦁🐍
Spend your summer break with the Topeka Zoo Education & Conservation Department as a Summer Camp Counselor!
☀️ We’re hiring a total of 5 positions.
☀️Application deadline is February 1st, 2025, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Check out the link below for a full job description, and information on how to apply!
https://topekazoo.org/internships/
Spend your summer break with the Topeka Zoo Education & Conservation Department as a Summer Camp Counselor!
☀️ We’re hiring a total of 5 positions.
☀️Application deadline is February 1st, 2025, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Check out the link below for a full job description, and information on how to apply!
https://topekazoo.org/internships/
Enjoy Dinner and Support YOUR Topeka Zoo!
📅 Date: Tuesday, January 7, 2025
📍 Location: Chipotle, 2040 SW Wanamaker
🌟 How It Works:
• 25% of event sales will be donated to the Zoo.
• Show the cashier a digital or printed version of the flyer before paying.
• No flyer? No problem! Simply mention the fundraiser at checkout.
📱 Ordering Online for Pickup?
• Use promo code 3H9Q4X6 in the Chipotle app or on their website.
• Online orders must be for pickup only during the fundraiser’s date, time, and location. Delivery orders don’t qualify.
🎁 Gift Cards:
• Purchases of gift cards won’t count toward the donation total. However, purchases made with an existing gift card will!
🍴 Fill up and give back—your meal makes a difference! Thank you for your support!
📅 Date: Tuesday, January 7, 2025
📍 Location: Chipotle, 2040 SW Wanamaker
🌟 How It Works:
• 25% of event sales will be donated to the Zoo.
• Show the cashier a digital or printed version of the flyer before paying.
• No flyer? No problem! Simply mention the fundraiser at checkout.
📱 Ordering Online for Pickup?
• Use promo code 3H9Q4X6 in the Chipotle app or on their website.
• Online orders must be for pickup only during the fundraiser’s date, time, and location. Delivery orders don’t qualify.
🎁 Gift Cards:
• Purchases of gift cards won’t count toward the donation total. However, purchases made with an existing gift card will!
🍴 Fill up and give back—your meal makes a difference! Thank you for your support!
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
- Annual meeting for members (TBD Date) The meeting is in the Kay's Garden venue. We will meet at 12:30pm. Members can enter through the turtle gate to have direct access to the venue.
- Friends Giving Society Brunch: Saturday, February 22
February
- The zoo is open!
March
- 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 19
- Earth Day - April 19
- Roar and Pour - April 26
May
- 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
- TBD - Member Preview for Summer Exhibit– 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
- Giraffe Day - June 14
- Rainforests Awareness 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. - 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
- 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!