Volunteer Updates & Opportunities
Volunteer Appreciation Week IS ALMOST HERE!! April 19th -25th
IT’S ALMOST HERE! VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK BEGINS NEXT WEEK!
Mark your calendars for April 19th–25th—it’s going to be a week full of fun, appreciation, and a little extra excitement just for you. We’ll have daily virtual raffles, fun announcements, and (for the first time!) a special volunteer reception during Tunes & Blooms on April 23rd. Sign ups to join us in a reserved area will be available soon! We will have light refreshments, giveaways, and goodie bags as a small thank-you for everything you do!
More details coming soon!
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Early Morning Volunteer Opportunity: Bird Collision Monitoring
We’re opening volunteer shifts for our spring Bird Collision Monitoring program! Shifts will take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 6:30 AM, running from April 15 through May 30.
To get started, all volunteers will attend a brief guided training walk to learn the monitoring route, data collection process, and expectations before signing up for ongoing shifts.
Interested in learning more?
Please email [email protected] to get started!
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Volunteer Opportunity: Bird & Cheetah Shows
We’re looking for volunteers to help enhance the guest experience at our Wings of Wonder Bird Show and Cheetah Encounter! Volunteers will assist with welcoming guests, guiding seating, and creating a positive, organized experience for visitors.
Show Schedules (starting May 22):
- Cheetah Encounter: Friday–Tuesday at 10:30 AM & 12:00 PM
- Wings of Wonder: Wednesday–Sunday at 11:30 AM & 1:00 PM
Shifts are now open in Better Impact. If you’re not yet on the roster and would like to sign up, please email [email protected] to get added. A week before the shows start you will receive additional information about this role.
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Community Garden Refresh Day: Saturday, April 18
Mill Creek Alliance is planning a community garden refresh day at our office in Reading on Saturday, April 18th and would love to see our adult neighbors from the watershed come out and join us! This is a great opportunity for volunteers to learn more about rain gardens, native plants, and watershed stewardship.
Click HERE for the Facebook event listing.
Zoo News
Zoo Blooms, Beauty, & Bears – Oh my!
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Zoo News & Stories
Click Here to see all the News & Stories shared from the Zoo over the past 2 weeks
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Director of Animal Research, Bill Swanson (DVM, PhD) Retires
At the end of March, Bill Swanson (DVM, PhD), Director of Animal Research, officially retired from the Zoo after nearly 30 years of dedicated service. Since the early 1990s, Bill has led the charge for small cat conservation and science.
During his tenure at the Cincinnati Zoo, he established CREW’s reputation as a world leader in cat reproduction and conservation. Though his work spanned many scientific disciplines (health, genetics, parasitology, nutrition, disease models, gene therapy) and took him to 20 countries, his primary focus was on developing and implementing assisted reproductive technologies. His unrivaled success in that capacity includes 22 pregnancies produced by artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer across an impressive list of nine felid species.
Many of the surviving 19 offspring proceeded to reproduce successfully themselves, thereby solidifying Bill’s impact on their species’ survival. His scientific achievements were equally important (Bill never stopped working in the lab), and CREW served as the base for those efforts and for training the next generation to carry on with his important work.
We hope Bill can enjoy his well-deserved relaxation and wish him all the best in his future!
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They’re Baa-aacccckkkk! 🙂
With spring here, excited school children will be populating the Zoo! We love seeing new and returning students fall in love with our Zoo!
Last Thursday, the education team began jumping on buses to give teachers information, and most mornings a volunteer will now also be at Vine Street Village, ready to answer teacher, student, or chaperone questions!
In the past, one of the challenges we encountered was getting information to chaperones since teachers are often not able to pass along information. This year, we are trialing a QR code with a chaperone guide! Hopefully this will allow us to get information directly to the chaperones who are with the students.
Thank you for helping inspire the next generation of conservationists!!! ❤
~Mayra Trujillo (Education Program Manager)
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Get to Know Your Zoo: Birds of the World Exhibit
A celebration of avian diversity, this exhibit features a stunning array of birds, from penguins and hornbills to exotic songbirds and raptors. Immersive aviaries allow visitors to walk among free-flying birds, while interpretive elements emphasize the vital role birds play in ecosystems worldwide.
Built in 1936, this was the original location of the Reptile House. It was renovated in 1996 and displays a variety of avian species from songbirds to puffins and penguins.
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CZBG is One of Few Zoos with Bonobos
We’ve had 11 births over the last decade, including our newest addition to the troop, Daisy!!
Jungle Trails is full of different species, but luckily there is a guide to help you learn who’s who in the jungle!
Plant & Animal Updates
ZooTales: The Adventures of Teddy Roosevelt (the Serval!)
Meet Teddy, short for Theodore Roosevelt, a small but mighty new face at the Cincinnati Zoo’s Cat Ambassador Program. In this episode, we follow Teddy’s journey from Nashville to Cincinnati as he begins settling into his new home, bonding with his keepers, and exploring a world full of new sights, sounds, and smells.
From his favorite toy (a stuffed shrimp!) to his love of watching the world from his outdoor space, Teddy is quickly showing off the curious and playful traits that make servals so special. As Teddy grows, he’ll begin training and eventually take part in programs like Cheetah Encounters, helping guests connect with wildlife and inspiring conservation action.
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We Welcome Three MALE Otter Pups to CZBG!
The Asian small-clawed otter family just got bigger at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.
The zoo’s adult otters, Munti and Flounder, welcomed three MALE pups in late March, less than one year after Munti gave birth to four male pups at the zoo.
Check out the full Cincinnati Enquirer article HERE.
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The Garden Glimpse, by Emily Wendel: Horticulture Team member
Over the past few weeks, much of our time onsite has been dedicated to getting the gardens looking their absolute best for Zootanical! We’ve been busy planting, mulching, and weeding flower beds throughout the grounds. While the tulips are beginning to fade, many trees, shrubs, and other perennials are still in beautiful bloom and are keeping the gardens vibrant and full of life. Be sure to check out the flowering dogwoods, azaleas, fothergillas, bugloss, and lungworts on your next stroll through the gardens!
Meanwhile, during the past few weeks our annual plugs have been arriving and horticulture volunteers and staff have been hard at work potting and nurturing them as they grow. It won’t be long before we are digging out the tulips and planting a beautiful array of over 50,000 annuals and tropicals in our trial display beds!
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A Tribute to Frankie, from keeper Mark M:
Frankie was a very special fox. Known for greeting keepers by rubbing her neck on their foreheads (a traditional bat-eared fox “hello”) Frankie was much beloved by her care team. At nearly 14 years old, Frankie surpassed the AZA median life expectancy for bat-eared foxes, which is 11.8 years. Born in the Night Hunters building on April 9, 2012, Frankie was raised to be an ambassador and impacted countless visitors over the years.
While on the Animal Ambassador Team, Frankie experienced being raised with her brother and living with her father before eventually being paired with her mate, Otis. An intensely smart animal, Frankie learned dozens of behaviors including being able to stand still for voluntary ultrasounds, a very helpful process as we monitored multiple successful pregnancies.
Her legacy lives on at CZBG through Kal, a featured creature in the Cheetah Encounter, and with two other kits that have moved on recommendations from the Species Survival Plan (SSP) to other zoos. The Animal Ambassador Team takes comfort in knowing the impact this individual has had on her entire species as they continue to monitor the wellbeing of her mate, Otis.
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Did You Know?
The area now known as African Penguin Point at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has a rich history of housing marine mammals before its transformation into a penguin habitat. In 1987, the zoo introduced walruses to its collection, acquiring two individuals named Aituk and Bruiser on loan from SeaWorld San Diego. These walruses entertained guests and even participated in breeding programs during their time at the zoo. The walrus exhibit remained until 2002, after which the space was repurposed.
Following the departure of the walruses, the exhibit continued to feature marine life, notably housing California sea lions. One of the most beloved residents was Duke, a male California sea lion who lived at the zoo for nearly 31 years until his passing in 2019. Duke was among the oldest sea lions in any North American zoo, and his presence left a lasting impression on both visitors and staff.
In September 2020, the Cincinnati Zoo repurposed the former sea lion habitat into African Penguin Point, providing a larger and more dynamic environment for their colony of endangered African penguins. This transformation reflects the zoo’s commitment to evolving and enhancing animal habitats to meet the needs of its diverse species.
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Keep an Eye Out for These Geese
The new spur winged geese are now out in the former flamingo habitat by our giraffe area!
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Good Ol’ Fritz 🙂
Fritz is very vocal and communicates with his keepers with grunts when he wants their attention! He’s also very smart and participates in different training sessions to assist with his health care including blood draws, mouth checks and ear checks!
Keepers decided to train a fun behavior and are working on teaching him to speak! This is great enrichment for his mind and relationship building with his care team!
Check out the Facebook Post HERE for a CHOMPING good time!
Conservation & Sustainability
Conservation Connection Newsletter
Click Here to Read the Conservation Connection Newsletter
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Preventing Bird Collisions – Let the Monitoring Begin!
A recurring theme from those involved in preventing bird collisions is the need for better monitoring and data collection. Our zoo, among others, successfully collaborated on collision monitoring with Audubon’s Lights Out, a national program that supports shutting off excess lights during migration months.
From mid-April until the start of June, volunteers will be coming to the Zoo bright and early in the morning on Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays, and Saturdays to conduct window surveys and look for injured/deceased birds. If you or someone you know might be interested in joining our morning monitoring crew, please reach out to [email protected] for more info!
The data collected from both the morning surveys and the Bird Collision Form directly inform where we install Feather-Friendly dots. Check out this recent AZA article on how CZBG and other zoos are committing to making their campuses safer for birds!
World Migratory Bird Day is Saturday May 9th and the Zoo is celebrating for days with Welcome Home Week! Beginning May 3rd (when pigs fly, too!) we’ll have socials posts about bird-friendly conservation actions, challenges, activities and more. Through the week at the Zoo, volunteers will share bird-friendly tips and tricks at their stations highlighting 5 simple actions people can take. We’ll be launching a Saving Songbirds resource page on our website to inspire and equip people with all they need to make yards, landscapes, and buildings better for birds.
And on Saturday, May 9th for World Migratory Bird Day, our ZooTeens will lead hands-on activities, host interactive stations, and share ways to take action for our feathered friends!
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Ambassador Council Connects with Nature, Neighbors at Irving Playground
You might know the Zoo’s Ambassador Council as the group of incredible folks who put on Zoo La La and fundraise for Education programs such as our Living Classroom Education Access Fund (LCEAF) and our ZooTeen summer expeditions. Their support of LCEAF since 2017 has allowed the Zoo to reduce financial barriers and engage over 225,000 Cincinnati youth in nature-based programs and experiences.
Now you can also thank our Ambassador Council for helping to keep our local greenspaces healthy and vibrant for the wildlife and people who enjoy them!
This past Saturday, several Council members and their family members joined our Horticulture team at Irving Playground, located just across the street from Elephant Trek on Forest Ave, for a spring clean-up and mulching at the pollinator garden that was installed in spring of 2022.
Residents from the nearby White Oak Townhomes complex stopped by to check out what’s growing in the garden. Younger neighbors joined the Ambassador Council’s kids and had fun exploring nearby plants and animals with our very official “Wildlife Scientist” kits!
The Ambassador Council has committed to caring for the Irving Playground garden with a clean-up event each spring and fall, and Saturday’s sprucing-up marked their 4th event with us. This dedication to cultivating healthy, community-focused green spaces is a wonderful completement to their efforts to ensure that nature-based programming remains accessible to everyone.
A HUGE thank you ALL INVOLVED for being such wonderful leaders in Irving and all of our community garden spaces!
In Case You Missed It
A Volunteer Remembered!
Eileen Anne Niedt: November 30, 1945 – February 20, 2026
Eileen Anne Niedt, 80, of Fort Thomas, passed away on February 20, 2026. Eileen worked as a dietician/nutritionist for many years and was an active member of St. Catherine of Siena Parish. Eileen had a servant heart and was always ready to volunteer and serve those around her. Some of her volunteer roles include reading to the elderly at the nursing home, bringing her dog to the library for the children to read to, the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Cincinnati Zoo, and supporting the Frank Lloyd Wright Museum. Eileen enjoyed many trips to zoos across the United States coordinated by the Cincinnati Zoo. She was a member of the local Red Hat Society, enjoyed cross stitch, and was an avid reader.
She was preceded in death by father, Ferdinand Niedt and mother, Marcella Niedt. Left to cherish Eileen’s memory are her many friends from all different areas of life.
Words of remembrance will be shared starting at 5:30 pm, with a celebration of life from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Friday, May 8, 2026, at Muehlenkamp-Erschell Funeral Home, 427 S. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Tomas, KY. Eileen was laid to rest at Woodbine Cemetery, Oceanport, New Jersey.
Memorial donations in honor of Eileen can be made to a charity of your choice. Online condolences can be given at www.dmefuneral.com.
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*We NEED about 4-6 additional people!* Sign Up to Volunteer at Bourbon Flights: Thursday, May 7!
Please fill out the Form below if you are interested in Volunteering at the A Toast to the Wild event, Bourbon Flights on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Volunteer Shifts are from 6:30pm-10pm, you will need to arrive at check in NO LATER than 5:45pm. Below you will find a timeline of the event.
- 5:30 – Pizza!
- 5:45 – Orientation questions and station locations info (and eating more pizza!)
- 6:15 – Head to Stations
- 6:30 – Event Starts
- 9:30 – Last Call
- 9:45 – Pouring Ends
Click Here to Sign Up to Volunteer
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2026 Barrows Conservation Series Features an Exciting Lineup
https://cincinnatizoo.org/2026-barrows-conservation-series-features-an-exciting-lineup/
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Carol Trosset’s Natural Lecture Series 2026 Dates
If you would like to attend a lecture, please sign up in Better Impact. *E-mails are sent to everyone who signs up with instructions on where to park and where to meet the day before the lecture.
- Fri., April 17 @ 1:00pm – Wildflower Walks at Gorman Heritage Farm
- Carol will lead a wildflower walk at the Trosset Wildflower Sanctuary at Gorman Heritage Farm in Evendale. Many species will be blooming in a very small area. Street address is 10052 Reading Road. Overflow parking is available to the right before you enter the farm property. There is a $5.00 entry fee. The Farm is open from 9:00-3:00, and you are welcome to explore the rest of the property including gardens and farm animals while you’re there. Significant rain cancels.
- Tues. & Fri., May 5 & 8, 2026 – Bird Walks at Spring Grove
- Fri., June 12, 2026 – Ancient and Modern Elephants
- Fri., July 10, 2026 – Primates
- Tues., August 18, 2026 – TBD
- Tues., September 8, 2026 – TBD
- Tues., October 20, 2026 – TBD
- Tues., November 10, 2026 – TBD
- Fri., December 11, 2026 – TBD
*Review the PowerPoint presentations from the previous 2026 lectures below
- Tuesday January 13, 2026 – Animals in Winter
- Tues., FEBRUARY 10, 2026 – The Zoo’s Local Conservation Programs – Guest Speaker: Mollie O’Neil
- No documents will be shared from guest speakers
- Fri., MARCH 13, 2026 – Cat-like Carnivores
- Mon., April 13, 2026 – Wildflower Walk
- No documents
Did you miss one of the 2025 Lectures? Links to all the previous slide presentations can now be found on the Better Impact Page under the Files section.
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2026 ZOO EVENTS:
| Date: | Event: | Time: |
| March 18 – April 29, 2026 | Barrows Conservation Lectures | 7:00pm |
| April 1 – 30, 2026 | Zoo Blooms | 10:00am-5:00pm |
| Thursdays in April 2026 | Tunes & Blooms | 6:00-8:30pm |
| April 18, May 2 and May 16 | Native Plant Sale at Bowyer | 9:00am-1:00pm |
| Thursday, May 7, 2026 | Bourbon Flights | 7:00-10:00pm |
| Monday, May 11, 2026 | Zoo Golf | TBD |
| *Tentative* June 16, 2026 | Stuffed Animal Clinic | 8:00am-5:00pm |
| Friday, June 26, 2026 | Zoo La La | 7:30-11:00pm |
| Monday, July 6, 2026 | Reds Day at the Zoo | 11:00am-12:00pm |
| Thursday, August 6, 2026 | Wild About Wine | 7:00-10:00pm |
| Thursday, August 27, 2026 | Plant Trials Symposium | 8:50am-5:00pm |
| Friday, September 18, 2026 | ZOOFARI | 7:00-11:00pm |
| Thursday, October 1, 2026 | Zoo Brew | 7:00-10:00pm |
| October 10-11, 17-18, 24-25 and 31- Nov 1 | HallZOOween | 12:00pm-5:00pm |
| November 13 & 14, 2026 | Hops & Holly | 7:00-10:00pm |
| Saturday, November 21, 2026 | Native Plant Symposium | 8:50am-4:00pm |
| December 31, 2026 | Happy Zoo Year | 4:00-10:00pm |
DAD-JOKE ZONE:
What do you call a dancing cow?
A MILKSHAKE!
Haha (Ding Ding!)