Today was an exciting first - a miniature service horse paid a visit to the Zoo!

Staff were more than thrilled to meet Jeremiah the Miniature Service Horse and his handlers, who were the perfect example of what to do if you have a service animal and want to stop by! Before their arrival, they called to ensure we allow service animals & specifically miniature horses. Jeremiah was also properly checked in at our admissions, where he received a snazzy bandana that helps Zoo staff know he's verified. As you can see, Jeremiah also arrived dressed in his best gear letting other visitors know it's safe to approach as long as they ASK to pet - something not always allowed with service animals due to the jobs & tasks they are performing. Remember - trained service animals aren't just pals; they are someone's medical device!

During their visit, Jeremiah and his handlers were also very respectful that this is our animals' home. They paid attention to areas where it wasn't safe for Jeremiah to be in and watched the reactions of the Zoo's residents, moving on if anyone wasn't a fan or became too fixated.

Many folks are unaware that miniature horses make fantastic service animals for a variety of reasons: their stature is perfect for someone who needs weight-bearing support while standing or walking, they have an amazing sense of smell and can detect changes in their handler's body before their handler might, and they have a longer lifespan than a dog (average is about 30 years).

The Topeka Zoo welcomes trained service animals and aims to be accessible to all. To view the areas of the Zoo service animals are restricted from for safety or what kinds of service animals are allowed, visit: https://topekazoo.org/visit-the-topeka-zoo/service-animal-policy/

Whale (shark), look what's on the horizon! 🐋🦈

In case you haven't heard - the Topeka Zoo is in the process of having a mural installed by aerosol artist Abstract Dissent. This mural was graciously gifted by the The Rotary Club of Topeka to aide in efforts of raising awareness on plastic pollution, and the wildlife along North America's waterways that it affects - including the Whale shark. Fun fact - whale sharks are classified as true sharks, which are fish NOT whales, by the IUCN.

This mural faces the Zoo's main parking lot, gifting visitors with a new magnificent view upon entry. Keep checking back on social media for updates, swing by and see the painting process for yourself, or visit us on April 18 for Party for the Planet!

Feeling fired up! 🔥

Today the horticulture team, facilities crew, and team members of Shawnee County Parks + Recreation as well as the Shawnee County Weed Department aided in a controlled burning of multiple swales inside Gage Park and the Topeka Zoo.

"The grounds around the storm water collection pools and the 1,205-foot length of the drainage swale have each been seeded and reseeded in the past with native grass seeds. Those have responded well, but overgrowth of the native grasses results in them being too thick to allow enough moisture or light to promote new growth each year" explained Dennis Dinwiddie, conservation director. "So, we replicate the natural fires that occurred during the evolution of native grasses, by burning them each year or every other year, to take them down as mother nature used to do and allow for new growth to keep those areas healthy for pollinators and other wildlife."