Volunteer Updates & Opportunities
This month gifts us with FIVE Fridays, so to hold us over until the “First Friday Newsletter” in September, please enjoy a FIFTH-FRIDAY-mini this last week of August!
REMINDER TO ALL VOLUNTEERS:
Our Volunteer Appreciation Picnic is right around the corner on Tuesday, October 7, 2025—and we can’t wait to celebrate YOU! 🎉 This is our big end-of-year social event where we come together to enjoy dinner, prizes, drinks, and plenty of fun.
A quick reminder: per the Volunteer Handbook, this is the only event that requires active volunteer status (50 hours per year) to receive an invitation. Invitations will go out the second week of September to all volunteers who are on track to reach that 50-hour mark by year’s end.
What you need to do:
- Be sure all of your hours are logged by end of day Friday, September 5. We’ll be pulling the report that evening to finalize the invitation list and request complimentary tickets.
- If life events have kept you from your usual volunteer hours this year, please don’t worry—we understand! Simply ask your volunteer supervisor to send Brittany and Amber an email so we can make sure you’re included.
Complimentary Tickets Update
In addition to the picnic invitations, we’ll also be pulling hours for complimentary tickets at this time. Volunteers receive 1 ticket for every 20 logged hours, and we’ll be counting hours from November of last year through September 5. To make sure no one misses out, we’ll round everyone up for one extra ticket to account for hours you may still earn in September and October. These will be handed out at the Volunteer Picnic event for attendees and everyone else will receive an e-mail with a form letting us know how you would like to receive those.
We are so grateful for the time and energy you give, and we don’t want anyone who should be there (or miss a ticket!) to be left out. Thank you in advance for getting your hours entered on time.
We can’t wait to celebrate another wonderful year with all of you!
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There is still TIME TO JOIN: Birding in Cuba!
Along with our very own, David Orban, immerse yourself in the vibrant nature and birdlife in La Guira National Park, Soroa, Zapata Nature Reserve, Playa Larga, and Havana. Engage with and support Cuban naturalists, birders and private entrepreneurs as you search for endemic bird species and experience the colorful culture of Cuba. Click the birds below for more info!
KNOW YOU WANT TO GO – REGISTER HERE
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SENIOR SEP-TEN-BER!
Starting on Monday, September 1, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is offering adults 62 and better $10 admission on weekdays. The offer is good throughout September.
National Grandparents Day is September 7, so that’s a great occasion to take advantage of this special pricing for the special older person in your life!
Zoo Updates
150 Second Stories Episode 9 – Martha the Last Passenger Pigeon
We LOVE celebrating our 150 years!
Martha, “the world’s last Passenger Pigeon”, passed away at the Cincinnati Zoo on Sept. 1, 1914. Once the most numerous bird species on Earth, the Passenger Pigeon was hunted to extinction. The building where she lived was renovated on the 100th anniversary of her death and serves as a reminder of the importance conservation and protecting wildlife.
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UPDATES from HIPPO COVE
Dive into the latest updates from Hippo Cove with hosts Jenna and Mark! This episode covers everything from Fritz’s future and training milestones to how Fiona is doing. Hear behind-the-scenes stories, fun hippo facts, and insider updates straight from the team who cares for them every day.
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Blast from the Past – our current staff recreated the last STAFF PHOTO from 1984!
The staff and volunteers alike are what make this zoo so special! Thank you to everyone for all their contributions thus far. Be sure to LOG THOSE HOURS!
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CZBG Continues to Give Back to our Amazing Community through Big Brothers Big Sisters Program
Last month, we had the absolute joy of welcoming nearly 100 Bigs and their Littles (plus a few fantastic BBBS team members!) for a special after-hours program. It was an unforgettable evening filled with laughter, learning, animal encounters, and… plot twist… a surprise storm complete with a tornado warning!
The Director of Program Impact from BBBS, Therese Sangermano, followed up with a heartfelt thank-you email that perfectly captured the magic of the evening.
“OMG! Your program is officially the talk of the town—and for good reason!
Your team is nothing short of AMAZING. From start to finish, everything ran so smoothly…
It was an unforgettable night. We had over 90 people there with several of our staff also in attendance with their own kids in tow and they raved on our staff meeting today. I can honestly say this was one of the biggest group activities we have hosted and I could not have done it without your team and our wonderful donor! One of the most successful activities we have had in my history at the agency and I have been there 26 years!!! You’ve set the bar sky-high—and we’d love to do it all over again (maybe with less rain next time and some tulips in the garden!!) Did I gush too much? Nah I don’t think so! We had a blast!”
An Instagram Thank YOU from BBBS
Plant & Animal Updates
Shhh… It’s a Surprise!
Volunteers, you’re getting the inside scoop—please keep this just between us and don’t share with the public – we want this to be a surprise for our visitors!
The Zoo will be celebrating Gladys with a Baby Shower—our very own “Nest Fest” on Tuesday, September 9, from 10am–2pm at the Gorilla Habitat (visitor side).
Here’s what’s planned:
- A card for visitors to sign and send Gladys some love
- A fun photo op where guests can build and climb into their own gorilla nest
- Naturalistic enrichment for the gorillas to enjoy throughout the day
- And maybe even a few surprise keeper chats
Our awesome volunteer Habitat Ambassador Team will be at the station with the card and the nest, so if you’re on grounds that day, swing by and join in the fun! It’ll be such a special way to celebrate one of our favorite gorillas on her big day.
Totally Optional: If you’d like to send a little love to Gladys and the Primate Team, we’ll be sharing an Amazon Wishlist link soon. Check back here if you’d like to contribute a gift!
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Otter Pupdate: Ripple, Splash, Scuttle & Puddles
The outdoor habitat with it’s massive waterfall, creek and deep water pool is the ultimate challenge in terms of the pups’ ability to safely navigate a water environment, so the pups were kept off-habitat and safely indoors until keeper staff (and parents Munti and Flounder) were sure they’d be safe outside. Click below to read more about these little cuties.
Conservation Corner
Did You Know:
World Gorilla Day is coming up on September 24?
There are TWO species of Gorilla: Western & Eastern and…
FOUR subspecies: Western Lowland, Cross River, Mountain, & Grauer
ALL FOUR SUBSPECIES are considered endangered/critically endangered by the IUCN.
By helping protect their habitats and engaging local communities, these areas of biodiversity are able to survive.
How can you help?
• BUY A TEE from WEIGHTS 4 APES (donations go to the below organizations)
• Donate directly to Gorilla SAFE, Grace Gorillas, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, WCS Nigeria)
• recycle electronics, esp. cell phones (there’s a collection bin open to the public in the Gorilla exhibit!)
It works this way: the mineral coltan is used to manufacture cell phones, tablets, and other similar devices. The mineral is mined by hand in various places, including the Congo. This mining, along with other human-caused impacts, such as deforestation, has led to diminished habitat.
Through SAFE gorilla, individual zoos organize local schools, businesses or other organizations to collect old cell phones and bring them to the zoo, which sends them Eco-Cell, a SAFE gorilla partner organization. Funds raised through this initiative go to gorilla conservation, said Lukas.
In addition, by recycling phones and other small electronics that contain coltan, the demand for the mineral is reduced and potentially harmful substances are kept out of landfills. Eco-Cell pays either for reselling the phones or the metal used in the phones.
Sustainability Stories
CREW Imperiled Cats Featured in AZA Connect
Reproductive advisor Dr. Lindsey Vansandt, director of the Imperiled Cat Signature Project at The Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) has seen the benefits in her work assisting reproductions within the Jaguar SSP population.
“Within zoological institutions, there is a growing realization that assisted reproductive technologies (ART) will be necessary for genetic management and long-term sustainability of imperiled felids, including the jaguar,” said Vansandt. “Recognizing this urgent need, CREW has pioneered advanced ART methodologies, achieving significant milestones such as the birth of the world’s first jaguar cub produced via artificial insemination (AI).”
Click Here for the Full Article
In Case You Missed It
Did I mention to LOG YOUR HOURS?
Volunteer Better Impact Login:
Site: https://app.betterimpact.com/Login/
How to Log Hours in Better Impact:
Please make sure to log your volunteer hours. If you need a refresher on Better Impact, you can watch this video tutorial: Click Here to Watch the Video
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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 August through December! You can sign up to attend in Better Impact!
- 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.
*Review the PowerPoint presentations from the previous lectures below
- Tuesday January 14, 2025 – Cat-like Carnivores
- Tuesday February 11, 2025 – Vernal Pools
- Thursday March 13, 2025 – Dog-like Carnivores
- Thursday April 10, 2025 – Woodland Wildflowers
- Tuesday May 13, 2025 – Introduction to Birdwatching
- Thursday June 12, 2025 – Primates
- Thursday, July 17, 2025 – Insects with Dr. David Russell
- No Slideshow Shared
- August 15 – Desert Life
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Do you crave an out-of-the-ordinary intimate travel experience?
Come travel with the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden! We have been taking folks around the globe since 1964. Our trips are adventurous, educational, and fun. All our tours are escorted by zoo naturalists who are knowledgeable, friendly, and well-traveled. Our trips create real-life connections with like-minded travelers. Come join us today on our next exciting adventure!
Questions? Please contact Christina Anderson at 513-487-3318 or [email protected]
- Monarch Migration to Mexico February 10 – 16, 2026, led by Brian Jorg, Horticulture Manager.
- Bird Watching in Cuba February 22 – March 1, 2026, led by David Orban, Director, Animal Science and Strategy
- Tanzania – October 4 – 16, 2026 – more details coming soon…
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UPCOMING ZOO EVENTS:
| Date: | Event: | Time: |
| Friday, September 19th, 2025 | Zoofari | 6:00-11:00pm |
| Thursday, October 2nd, 2025 | Zoo Brew | 7:00-10:00pm |
| Tuesday, October 7th, 2025 | Volunteer Appreciation Picnic | 5:00-7:30pm |
| October 11-12, 18-19 and 25-26 | HallZOOween | 12:00-5:00pm |
| Friday, November 14th, 2025 | Hops & Holly | 7:00-10:00pm |
| December 31. Early countdown at 8pm | HAPPY ZOO YEAR | 4:00-10:00pm |
DAD-JOKE ZONE, *mini* Zoo Edition:
