Volunteer Updates and Opportunities
Volunteer Appreciation Week starts on Sunday – and we are ready to celebrate you!
To our incredible volunteers—you are the heart and soul of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Whether you’re welcoming guests with a smile, sharing knowledge on grounds, helping behind the scenes, or bringing your passion for wildlife and wild places to life in countless other ways—we are beyond grateful for YOU.
This week, we’re celebrating in two special ways just for you!
RAFFLE GIVEAWAYS!
Keep a close eye on your inbox every day—because we’ll be sending daily appreciation emails with a chance to win fun raffle prizes! It’s our way of saying thanks for being such a vital part of the Zoo family.
FLIGHT DEMO EXCLUSIVE!
As a special treat, our incredible Wings of Wonder Bird Team invites YOU to an exclusive flight demonstration next Thursday or Friday, where you’ll get to watch Ori and Zenith stretch their wings and practice for the show!
Sign up for your date and time in Better Impact—and feel free to bring one guest along to share the magic! (Guests will need a membership or valid Zoo admission Ticket for that day)
Let’s make this week a true celebration of YOU—your time, your energy, and your endless dedication to making the Zoo the extraordinary place it is.
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Did you order a Uniform during the Free Shipping time?
If you purchased a uniform and selected free shipping to the Zoo back in March, the orders should be rolling in soon. Once they arrive and are sorted, you will receive an e-mail from me with instructions on pick up!
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Interested in Helping Protect Migrating Birds?
We’re looking for volunteers who might be interested in joining our efforts as Bird Strike Monitors here at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden!
We have two ways you can help:
- Early Morning Monitoring – Assist with checking for potential bird strikes during peak migration hours before the Zoo opens.
- On-Site Data Entry – Help us during regular Zoo hours by entering important data that helps us track patterns and inform future conservation efforts.
If this sparks your interest—or even if you’re just curious and want to learn more—we’d love for you to take a peek at our Interest Form.
Insert Link to Interest Form
Please fill it out if you’d like to be part of this impactful work, even if you’re unsure what your role might be just yet. Every set of eyes and every bit of data makes a difference for our feathered friends.
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Volunteer Roles Accepting Applications
https://cincinnatizoo.org/support/volunteer/
Do you know anyone interested in joining our volunteer team, or maybe you want to add another role to your resume – we have several open positions on our website! I encourage you to take a look and tell your friends!
Zoo Updates
History of the Zoo Gardens
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PBS News Feature on Ocelots
Find the video and full article here! Scientists work to restore wild ocelot populations with fertility treatments | PBS News Weekend CREW and Bill Swanson are featured throughout.
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Spring Happenings at the Zoo
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Native Plant Sales at Bowyer Farm
Don’t miss the Native Plant Sale at the Zoo’s Bowyer Farm on April 26, May 3 & May 17! Reserve your spot for free: https://cincinnatizoo.org/events/native-plant-sale-at-bowyer-farm/…
Plant & Animal Updates
Tulips are in Full Bloom!
Check out more Amazing work from our fabulous Horticulture Team
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Test done on Cincinnati Zoo okapi suffering from allergies
It turns out a 16-year-old okapi with an itching problem at the Cincinnati Zoo has allergies. Officials did a test, similar to what is done on humans, and it turns out she’s sensitive to grass, weed, tree and insect allergens.
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4/17 – Bat Appreciation Day
Bats are gentle & intelligent creatures. We need bats! Insect-eating bats prevent diseases & save crops from pests & fruit-eaters pollinate plants. They’re important to the environment – consider helping bats by building a bat box for your yard!
The giant fruit bat (from left to right: Nanner, Peach, Seymore & Luce) relies on its keen sense of smell for locating food. As the bat feeds & flies throughout the forest, it pollinates and disperses seeds, helping to regenerate plant growth in the ecosystem
It’s a misconception that vampire bats suck blood… they cut a tiny slit in an animal’s skin with their razor-sharp teeth & lap up blood. Chemicals in bat’s saliva prevent clotting so the blood flows freely until it has had its fill, which is generally < 1oz
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New Bird Alert – Check out the Birds of the World Building
Visit the new and gorgeous keel-billed toucans in the Birds of the World! These birds feed primarily on fruit, but will occasionally eats insects, reptiles, birds, and eggs.
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Mexican Wolf Success
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Zulu
Zulu the Lady Ross’s turaco has never had a bad hair day! Turacos are the only birds to possess true red & green color. When you look at most birds, the color you are seeing is a reflection produced by the feather structure. The turaco’s red & green pigment both contain copper.
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4/15 – Happy Birthday Robert
Happy 35th Birthday to Robert Redford, the red-footed tortoise.
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Henry’s Reminder when purchasing Easter Candy
While purchasing Easter candy this season, please support companies that use sustainable palm oil which helps protect the natural habitat of orangutans and many other species. https://cincinnatizoo.org/events/easter-celebration/#candy
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Siamang Point is Open and these 2 are stealing the show!
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4/14 – National Gardening Day
Happy National Gardening Day! You can do conservation at home to support our pollinator friends by planting pollinator friendly plants! Together, we can make a difference for our littlest friends & most important neighbors! https://cincinnatizoo.org/gardens/plant-for-pollinators/
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Did You Know
African painted dogs only have four toes per foot, unlike other dogs, which have five toes on their forefeet.
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Fennec Fox Update
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April 13th – Happy Birthday Lana!
Happy 46th birthday, Lana! Like other great apes, a concern is cardiac health. Keepers & vet staff take proactive measures to monitor things like heart disease. With professionals from surrounding hospitals, keepers are able to perform voluntary cardiac ultrasounds with Lana.
Lana chooses to come to the training mesh & sit with keepers while they use ultrasound to take pictures of her heart (in exchange for juice & snacks). At any point she could choose not to participate and walk away, but she LOVES keeper attention so that’s usually not a problem.
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April 9th – Happy Birthday to our Mexican Wolves
Happy 7th birthday Bruce, Shadow & Waya! The Cincinnati Zoo is playing a major role in recovery success for Mexican wolves. This species is making a comeback thanks to conservation efforts like AZASAFE Mexican Wolf program led by Kim Scott & Bailey Cadena from the Cincinnati Zoo
Conservation Corner
Spring Migration is Here — Let’s Take Action for the Birds!
It’s that magical time of year when millions of songbirds are making their way north—and they need our help to get there safely.
To celebrate Spring Migration AND inspire bird-saving action, we’re launching a Spring for the Birds Contest with a bird-themed prize package you won’t want to miss!
Here’s how YOU can join the flock and earn raffle entries: Make a Difference, Win a Prize!
- 1 Entry – Fill out the pledge form to turn your lights out at night for the next 4 weeks (especially 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.)
- 1 Entry (per day!) – Submit a screenshot of your Merlin Bird ID ladder and show us how you’re connecting with nature by listening to birds in your neighborhood!
- 10 Entries – Submit a photo of how you’ve made your windows bird-friendly, using one of the following techniques:
- Bird dots
- Soap designs (like welcome signs or leaf outlines!)
- Tempera paint + soap mix (Easy to clean! Mix: 1/4 Cup part tempera paint + Few Drops of Dish Soap – washes off with warm water later)
Click here to submit your entries
Bonus Tip: Curious about how many birds flew over Cincinnati last night? Check out BirdCast to see real-time migration data and learn when peak nights are happening! It’s an incredible reminder of just how many winged travelers are passing above us.
Let’s light the way (or rather, dim it!) for our feathered friends and make the Cincinnati area a safer stopover for spring migrants. Thank you for being champions for wildlife—your actions matter. Let’s hear it for the birds! Entries Accepted through mid-March!
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Rain Barrel Auction – Happening Now!
The rain barrel auction is happening now through April 25th. See them all and place your bids here – https://savelocalwaters.org/auction.html
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From “Pests” to Vital Guests—Celebrate Local Wildlife!
2025 is the year of reframing perspectives! Each quarter, the Conservation Corner will focus on a misunderstood native species that’s often seen as a “pest.” Through fun facts, unique insights, and tips for coexistence, we hope to foster a deeper connection to these incredible animals and maybe even change a few minds. This quarter we are talking about birds, last month we focused on Red-Winged Blackbirds, and this month the Canada Goose!
Canada Geese: A Lesson in Coexistence
Often misunderstood, Canada Geese play an important role in our ecosystems—aerating soil, spreading seeds, and showcasing incredible migratory journeys and tight family bonds. Once at risk, their population recovery is a conservation success worth celebrating!
Yes, they can be a bit… messy in parks and lawns—but we can live alongside them with a few smart strategies:
- Plant tall, dense vegetation along shorelines to gently guide them elsewhere
- Let grass grow taller (6”+) to make it less appealing for grazing
- Swap out Kentucky bluegrass (“goose candy”) for less tasty options like tall fescue
- Designate “tolerance zones” where geese can gather, while keeping other areas people-friendly
Let’s lead with understanding and action—because sharing space with wildlife is part of a thriving, balanced community.
In Case you Missed it:
Calling All Volunteers – We Need You for Bourbon Flights! 20 More Slots Available!!!!
Event Date: Thursday, May 8th
Volunteer Shift: 6:30–10:00pm
(Note: Toast to the Wild events have been extended by 30 minutes this year!)
Bourbon Flights is just around the corner, and we’re raising a glass (or a few!) to the amazing volunteers who make it all happen. This year, we need more toast-worthy volunteers than ever — 65+! Whether you’re a seasoned pourer or a first-time greeter, there’s a role for everyone.
- Volunteer Roles include:
- 🥃 Pouring Volunteers
- 🎟 Raffle Attendants
- 👋 Greeters
- Timeline:
- 🍕 5:30pm – Pizza provided for volunteers
- 📣 5:45pm – Mandatory orientation
- 📍 6:15pm – Head to assigned stations
- 🎉 6:30pm – Event begins
- 🎊 10:00pm – Event ends
Sign up here: Click Here to Sign Up to Volunteer
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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!
Carol has set the dates and chosen the topics for the next 6 months! Check out the next Update to learn more!