Volunteer Opportunities & Updates
New Volunteer Opportunity – Field Trip Arrival Facilitators
Help create a great first impression for visiting school groups at the Cincinnati Zoo! As a Field Trip Arrival Guide, volunteers welcome students, teachers, and chaperones, provide helpful information, and assist with school group arrivals. Work alongside the School Programs and Visitor Experience Teams to ensure a smooth entry process and an unforgettable visit.
We are still looking for more Hydroponics Volunteers – Click Here to Read the Position Description & Click Here to Apply
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Do you have any old Zoo memorabilia or merchandise tucked away?
We’re creating a mini archive of cool souvenirs from over the years, and we’d love your help! If you have something, you can either send a photo or if you’re looking to declutter, I’d be happy to give your treasures a new home – Feel free to send me an email directly [email protected]
Zoo Updates
150 Years – WCPO Feature
We are celebrating our 150th anniversary this year so will be sharing snippets of our past on social media throughout the year! On Sept. 18th, 1875, the Cincinnati Zoo opened its door to the public making it the 2nd oldest Zoo in the United States.
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Vote for our Botanical Garden!
We’re up for Best Botanical Garden in Newsweek’s Readers’ Poll. Voting ends 2/27. You can vote once daily. Best Botanical Gardens 2025 | Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards – Newsweek
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Cincinnati Zoo expands regional solar energy with nonprofit collaborators
Click the link below to read the Soapbox media story about Horses on the Hill collaboration.
https://www.soapboxmedia.com/devnews/cincinnati-zoo-expands-regional-solar-energy.aspx
Have you ever thought about Traveling with the Zoo
Galapagos – July 2-9, 2025
Escorted by Dan Marsh, Director of Education
The Galápagos is one of the most scintillating yet intensely personal places to see wildlife on Earth, due to encounters in close proximity to wildlife that has no fear of humans. Located at the intersection of seven currents, these tiny islands off the coast of Ecuador are home to friendly flamingos, marine iguanas; giant tortoises, penguins and blue-footed boobies. Guided by expert naturalists, explore the unique volcanic land-scapes on hikes and nature walks highlighted by close encounters with amazing wildlife; swim and snorkel with colorful fish, rays and playful sea lions and as you discover the wild wonders of the Galápagos.
Beluga Deck Plan an Cabin Configuration
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Virtual Series: Landscaping for the Homeowner
Join us for our virtual series, Landscaping for the Homeowner! If you’re planning a garden renovation or new installation in your landscape these classes provide insight on design, preparation, and plant selection. https://cincinnatizoo.org/events/landscaping-for-the-homeowner/
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2 Milestones for Fiona
Plant & Animal Updates
Send a Valentine
You can use this link to send your loved ones some Sugar this Valentine’s Day! – https://form.jotform.com/250294864737165
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New Kids on the Block – Meet the otters
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Rescued manatees Lilypad, Orchid & Vora see their first snowman!
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Cheetah Cub Update
Cheetah cub cuteness overload! These little girls will grow up to be ambassadors for their species. The Cincinnati Zoo supports many programs that help cheetahs in Africa, like Cheetah Outreach, which works with local communities to ensure the survival of the species.
The dark tear mark below a cheetah’s eye, called a malar stripe, absorbs the sunlight to keep the glare of the sun out of its eyes.
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Suri
Suri the clouded leopard reaches high! A powerful and robust build, short legs, large feet, and a long tail allow the clouded leopard to expertly navigate the forest canopy.
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January 31st is #InternationalZebraDay!
Cool zebra facts:
- Zebras can run up to 40 mph
- No two zebras have the same stripe pattern, much like human fingerprints.
- Zebras communicate with body language, facial expressions, and sounds, such as braying, snorting, or barking.
- Zebras don’t sleep much; they take short naps while standing and rely on the herd for safety during rest periods.
Come visit Vern, Stewart, and Earl at the Cincinnati Zoo on your next visit.
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February 5th – Happy Birthday Minerva
Happy 11th Birthday to Minerva, the Eurasian eagle owl!
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January 29th – Happy 12th Birthday to Gladys!
Gladys has had a pretty remarkable life already.
Gladys was born at the Gladys Porter Zoo where she was rejected by her birth mother, leading to her transfer to the Cincinnati Zoo for specialized care. Upon arrival, human caregivers provided round-the-clock attention, teaching her essential gorilla behaviors and social skills. This intensive care prepared her for integration with a surrogate gorilla mother, M’Linzi, at the zoo.
In April of last year Gladys suffered a broken arm. The zoo’s veterinary team collaborated with experts from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, UC Health, and GE Additive to perform surgery and create a custom 3D-printed titanium cast for her. This innovative approach ensured a durable and comfortable solution for her recovery. She has fully healed from her broken arm and continues to thrive as an ambassador for her species and contributing to conservation and education efforts.
Conservation Corner
African Penguin Conservation
You Can Take Action Right Now – SANCCOB and BirdLife South Africa are suing South Africa’s environment ministry for not protecting African penguins through fishing closures near breeding colonies. Take action now to help save this endangered species and safeguard our oceans for future generations. Sign the petition today!
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Recycle Your E-Waste
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Barrows is Back! Tickets Available
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2025: The Year of Reframing Perspectives
Appreciating Urban Coyotes
Often seen as pests, urban coyotes are actually unsung heroes in our communities. Their everyday actions help keep nature balanced and our neighborhoods healthier:
- Natural Balancers: By keeping smaller predators like foxes, raccoons, and feral cats in check, coyotes indirectly boost the numbers of ground-nesting birds and songbirds.
- Pest Control: Coyotes help manage rodent and rabbit populations, reducing the need for harmful poisons in our urban spaces.
- Clean-Up Crew: Acting as scavengers, they clear away carrion, keeping our environment tidy.
- Wildlife Managers: Their predation on deer fawns and goose eggs helps regulate populations that can otherwise become overabundant.
Recognizing these roles can transform our view of coyotes from troublesome pests to vital partners in maintaining a balanced urban ecosystem. Let’s celebrate the unexpected benefits these adaptable creatures bring to our communities!
(References: Avrin et al. 2023; Crooks & Soule, 1999; Gehrt et al. 2013; Fedriani et al. 2001; Morey et al. 2007; Watts et al. 2014)
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Webinar Series
It’s time for another webinar series featuring our coexistence partners from around the world!
These webinars are a chance for all Zoo staff and volunteers to learn the stories of the conservation work the Zoo supports with your help. Join us to learn more so that you can share details with our visitors and help us grow even more of the good work happening around the world.
We’ve begun confirming webinar days & times with our partners, which are featured below. Recording links provided after each webinar.
These partners will present their projects, wildlife, communities, and conservation aspirations followed by a Q&A, where our partners will take questions from our CZBG community. Feel free to tune in from anywhere.
HUTAN – Marc Ancrenaz
- Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 9:30 am
- Key topics: Orangutans, Malaysia, Palm Oil
- RECORDING
WASIMA – Jonathan Kwiyega
- Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 10:00 am
- Key topics: Coexistence, Pastoralism, Lions
- RECORDING
SAFE Tree Kangaroo and Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program– Lisa Dabek; Beth Carlyle-Askew; Trevor Holbrook; Sam Merson (TKCP)
- Thursday, February 5, 2025 at 1:00 pm
- Key topics: Tree Kangaroos, Community Conservation
- RECORDING
The Sloth Insitute– Sam Trull & Pedro Montero
- Monday, February 10, 2025 at 11:00 am
- Key topics: Sloths, Rehabilitation, Sloth Movement
- Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87526983612?pwd=AGYzfITtLZhGyXFut0WA9Srh9APD0t.1
Turtle Survival Alliance– Dave Collins
- Wednesday, February 20, 2025 at 10:00 am
- Key topics: Chelonians, North American Conservation, SAFE
- Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84184793855?pwd=5zCC2yEdNH7zDv3oUMRnT4PWejs7OY.1
Elakha Alliance– Chanel Hanson & Jane Bacchieri
- Wednesday, March 4, 2025 at 12:00 pm
- Key topics: Sea Otters, Reintroduction
- Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84651200597?pwd=4cOGzhAQzMeTvHM2a85EfEDoPhec6F.1
In Case You Missed It
Dan Horak
This year we said goodbye to a long time volunteer. Here is a note passed along by one of Donald’s peer volunteers: “He started volunteering at the zoo as a teenage and returned after retirement. We had the most amazing Thursday group from 2010 to covid. They would save the large hard project for us and we would knock them out.”
Click Here to Read Donald’s Obituary
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Last Chance to Request Your Pins
Pick Up Instructions will be in the next Update
We would love to recognize your service with a small token of our appreciation… Recognition Pins! If you would like to receive your pin, please fill out the request form below.
Click Here to Request Your Recognition Pin
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New for 2025: Natural History Lecture Series for Volunteers
Carol facilitated her first Lecture this week and it was a smashing success with many kudos sent her way by attendees! If you would like to attend a future session, please sign up for the event in Better Impact! Arrival information is sent out 2-3 days before the event with all the logistic information.
Schedule and Topics:
- Tuesday January 14, 2025 – Cat-like Carnivores
- If you missed the lecture, or would like to review the material, check out the link below
- Trosset 202501 Cat-Like Carnivores.pdf
- Tuesday February 11, 2025 – Vernal Pools
- Vernal pools are temporary wetlands found in deciduous woodlands, including those in Cincinnati. These habitats support a range of invertebrates and provide breeding grounds for salamanders and other amphibians. We’ll also learn about the Zoo’s conservation efforts at Bowyer Farm.
- Thursday March 13, 2025 – Dog-like Carnivores
- The suborder Caniformia includes wolves, foxes, weasels, bears, and more. We’ll discuss their defining characteristics, then visit several zoo habitats to observe seven species on display.
- Thursday April 10, 2025 – Woodland Wildflowers
- Cincinnati’s woodlands are home to many species of wildflowers, which bloom in the early spring before the trees leaf out. We will examine the different types of spring wildflowers, their ecology, and their blooming sequence.
- Tuesday May 13, 2025 – Introduction to Birdwatching
- Early May brings many migratory birds to Cincinnati. We’ll cover key features for identifying bird species, followed by birdwatching on zoo grounds. Bring binoculars if you can; a limited number will be available to borrow.
- Friday June 13, 2025 – Primates
- Primates are categorized into prosimians, Old World monkeys, New World monkeys, and apes—all represented at the zoo. We’ll discuss their similarities and differences, then observe members of each group on exhibit.
Sign up for all lectures in Better Impact! Please RSVP by registering in the system. If you can’t attend, we’ll aim to record and share the lecture portion with all volunteers. We hope to see you there!