About Us

Our Mission is to enrich our community through wildlife conservation and education.

We are committed to ensuring everyone feels welcome and valued by striving to create an environment that is as diverse as the wild spaces we are trying to protect.

 

Click to view our Strategic Plan and DEAI Initiatives.

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CONTACT US

Topeka Zoo Main Office: 785-368-9180
Facility Rentals: 785-783-4264
635 SW Gage Blvd. | Topeka, KS 66606
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Executive Leadership

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Christina Castellano
Chief Executive Officer

 

Director of Animal Health Shirley Llizo Headshot

Dr. Shirley LLizo, VMD
Director of Animal Health

Director of Operations Fawn Moser Headshot

Fawn Moser
Deputy Director

 

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Cynthia McCarvel
Director of Development

Director of Conservation Dennis Dinwiddie Headshotand Education

Dennis Dinwiddie
Director of Conservation & Education

Kay Reece

Kay Reece
Finance Controller

Team Leaders

Animal Curator Wrylie Guffey Headshot

Wrylie Guffey
General Curator & Elephant Manager

Animal Curator Shanna Simpson Headshot

Shanna Simpson
Animal Curator

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Rick Knight
Horticulture and Grounds Manager

Andrea

Andrea Jones
Events Director

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Brea Schmidt
Guest Engagement Supervisor

Jason Wills, Maintenance Supervisor

Jason Wills
Maintenance Supervisor

Joe Maloney, Animal Care Supervisor

Joe Maloney
Animal Care Supervisor

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Hunter Mangel
Education Program Manager

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Jess Molitor
Guest Engagement Manager

Carley Gonzalez, Animal Care Supervisor

Carley Gonzalez
Animal Care Supervisor

Adam Jenks(1)

Adam Jenks
Zoo Lights Manager

Board of Directors

Fred Patton, President
Tim Resner, Vice President
Shane Beavers, Treasurer
Jen LeClair, Secretary
Dina Cox, Exec Committee
Kelly Kelsey, Exec Committee
Pat Colley, Exec Committee

Dan Chavez
Andrea Kaberline
Drew Switzer
Keith Griffin
Nettie Johnson
Braxton Copley
Ben Hart
Michelle Hoferer

 

The Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center is a medium size zoo located in Topeka, Kansas. The Topeka Zoo houses over 300 animals in a wide variety of exhibits across 35 acres. It has a wide draw of guests due to its innovative onsite attractions, world class animal care, and its award-winning environmental education and science programs. It is the highest attended attraction in northeast Kansas outside of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, with over 250,000 guests per year. Recent additions to the Topeka Zoo include Camp Cowabunga – an African safari experience, the Kay McFarland Japanese Garden – already determined to be among the highest quality Japanese gardens on the north American continent, and Giraffe and Friends – an interdisciplinary multi-species exhibit that transports guests to the Serengeti Plain.

KULTURE CITY

We are a KultureCity Certified Sensory Inclusive Venue! What does this mean?

This means that the Topeka Zoo is proud to be a certified Kulture City Sensory Inclusive Venue and offer Sensory Inclusive Bags to borrow. To view our Story and learn more about being Sensory Inclusive visit here:

https://venue.kulturecity.org/venues/topeka-zoo-conservation-center