Volunteer Updates & Opportunities
Volunteer Appreciation Week – BONUS
I hope that everyone enjoyed Volunteer Appreciation Week! Even though Volunteer Appreciation Week was over a week ago, we weren’t quite ready to stop the festivities! We have one last giveaway! Click on the link below to enter a raffle to win! The winners will be announced next week!
Click Here to Fill out the Form and Enter to Win!
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ZooLaLa Volunteer Opportunity
We need YOUR help at Zoo La La on Friday, June 20, 2025!
Zoo La La supports the Zoo’s education efforts like Zoo Troop, Zoo Field Trips, Zoo Teens and Zoo Camps! Zoo La La also helps provide funding to enable all kids to be able to enjoy these programs, through the Living Classroom Education Access Fund.
We’re so excited about Zoo La La this year! We have a lot of amazing additions, including NSL’s Silent Disco and Buzz Bin on the main stage in Vine Street Village! We’re beyond thankful for all of the support and hard work from our Zoo teams and the Ambassador Council.
We have 2 shift options available! Click on the link below to check out the shift times and sign up! Thanks in advance for your willingness to help!
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Carol Trosset’s Lecture Series
Carol’s Lecture Series has been a HUGE hit and she has agreed to extend the series through the end of the year! Take a look at the topics that will be available July through December! You can sign up to attend in Better Impact!
- July 17 – Insects. Dr. David Russell, professor of biology at Miami University, will discuss the different types of insects. We will then go out and look at insects, either in the zoo’s gardens or the Insectarium.
- August 15 – Desert Life. Carol will discuss several different desert environments and how plants and animals are adapted to life in those conditions. We will then look at some desert animals around the zoo.
- September 16 – The Zoo’s Beginnings and Opera at the Zoo. In honor of the Zoo’s sesquicentennial, Carol will talk about the founding of the zoo and its history of hosting opera performances.
- October 16 – Even-Toed Hoofed Mammals – This group of mammals includes deer, antelope, giraffes, camels, pigs, and hippos.
- November 13 – Odd-Toed Hoofed Mammals – This group of mammals includes horses, zebras, tapirs, and rhinos.
- December 10 – Plants in Winter – How do plants survive the winter? We will examine different survival strategies used by our local plants.
*Check out the “In Case You Missed it” section to review the PowerPoint presentations from the previous lectures.
Zoo Updates
150th Anniversary Video Series
You are familiar with the 90-Second Naturalist, but we are trying our hand at “150-Second Stories”. These videos, narrated by Thane Maynard, dive into interesting bits of Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden history and are shot all over the campus. Enjoy the First Video!
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May is for ZOOBABIES!
Click Here to Read an Article from Cincinnati Magazine
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HydrART
Keep an Eye out: We are having local artist paint visible fire hydrants around the Zoo this spring. So if you see people working on them don’t be alarmed. All the hydrants will have animal/nature/botanical themes and should bring extra beauty to our amazing Zoo. They should all be complete by July1.
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Celebrating our Vets!
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ZooTales is Back
In this heartwarming episode of Cincinnati Zoo Tales, hosts Jenna and Mark take you on a special journey beyond the zoo gates to Seacrest Studios at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. They sit down with Kevin, the dynamic force behind the in-house media studio that brings smiles, creativity, and entertainment to young patients and their families. Together, they chat about the power of storytelling, the magic of animal visits at the hospital, and the unique partnership between the Zoo and Seacrest Studios. It’s an inspiring conversation filled with hope, laughter, and a shared mission to bring joy to the community—one wild tale at a time.
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Visions in Venice
In the summer of 1880, the Cincinnati Zoo transformed into an unexpected stage for a grand spectacle. To attract more visitors, the Zoo organized “Visions of Venice,” an ambitious event featuring gondolas and a floating orchestra on the central lagoon. However, the performance took a dramatic turn when the stage collapsed, plunging the orchestra into the water. Among the rescuers was Henry Farny, a renowned artist who would later gain fame for his depictions of Native American life. This remarkable episode highlights the Zoo’s early efforts to blend entertainment with cultural experiences.
Plant & Animal Updates
Baby Bump Alert!
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Arthropod Update
Mandy from the Insect Team is giving us a peek into the lives of World of the Insect residents. Check out the stories they shared in the last 2 weeks: Click Here to Read the Stories
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Kris the Cheetah’s Road to Recovery
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Isla the tamandua looking very cozy!
Tamanduas live most of their lives in trees, however, they do snuggling up in burrows dug by other animals— like giant armadillos. Isla’s hanging bed is the best of both worlds— a cozy space that’s “up in the trees”.
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Otterly adorable news from Elephant Trek!
Asian small-clawed otter, Munti, is expecting her very first litter! An ultrasound has confirmed that she’s carrying at least three pups, though otter litters can include up to seven. This is Munti’s first time as a mom, so we’re cautiously optimistic for a smooth and successful arrival of her and Flounder’s pups. Stay tuned for updates — we can’t wait to welcome the new pups!
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April 25th
Happy 11th Birthday to the beautiful Suri the clouded leopard.
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Zola is queen of the termite mound!
She’s demonstrating a natural behavior! Cheetahs like to get up high on small hills or termite mounds on the African savanna to survey the area. They can see clearly up to 3 miles watching for predators or their next meal!
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April 29th
Happy 17th Birthday to Jin the Malayan tiger.
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April 26th
Happy 3rd Birthday to the speedy Rozi!
Conservation Corner
Sihek Success!
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Ocelotapalooza
We are back again this year for Ocelotapalooza!
Saturday May 24th, 5-8 pm @ Tokyo Kitty
Join the Greater Cincinnati Chapter AAZK for a fun-filled event aimed at supporting some of the rarest cats in the nation – the last remaining ocelots on public land in the United States! Hosted at Tokyo Kitty, there will be merchandise, raffle items, and of course, karaoke!
Address: 535 Race St, Cincinnati, OH 45202-2347, United States
We will receive a 10% kickback from the bar from 5-8pm. So even if karaoke isn’t your thing, come have a drink and show some support! The money raised will go to Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge.
This organization is located in South Texas and works to help save the last remaining ocelots on public land in the United States.
There is a parking garage located nearby, and the event is 21 years or older.
This event is hosted by the Greater Cincinnati Chapter American Association of Zoo Keepers
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5 Simple Ways to Help Migrating Birds
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2025 Barrows Lecture Series Recordings
Did you miss any of our AMAZING speakers this year? Well, you are in luck – we are sharing all the recordings with the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Volunteers!
Click Here to Watch the Recordings
In Case You Missed It
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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
- If you missed the lecture, or would like to review the material, check out the link below
- 202502 Trosset Vernal Pools.pdf
- 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.
- Trosset 202503 Dog-Like Carnivores.pdf
- 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.
- 202504 Wildflowers.pdf
- 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.
- Thursday June 12, 2025 – Primates **DATE CHANGE**
- 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!