Volunteer Updates & Opportunities
✨FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS ARE BACK ON! ✨Nov. 20, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026🐿️
Vote NOW for PNC Festival of Lights at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden!
USA TODAY is finding out who has the Best Zoo Lights in 2025! We hope you will vote for us!
When the weather gets colder and the sun starts to set earlier, don’t forget about your local zoo! Each winter, zoos across the country transform as they get into the holiday spirit. Once the animals go to bed, these 20 zoos are set aglow with incredible illuminated displays. Which zoo’s holiday lights dazzle you the most? Vote for your favorite zoo lights once per day until voting ends on Monday, December 1 at noon ET. The top 10 winning displays will be announced on Wednesday, December 10.
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Donating Your Time to “UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY”
We are also SO excited to be able to once again support Avondale’s in-person Thanksgiving event this year, which we haven’t been able to do since the pandemic! Avondale’s “Unity in the Community” event will be taking place on Saturday, November 22nd. The morning will consist of distributing pre-packed food and donated winterwear, while the afternoon will feature a hot meal and sit-down dinner. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know your neighbors and join in on an amazing community-driven effort!
We’re looking for some extra hands to help us:
- Set up for the event and help facilitate food and coat distribution in the morning (Sat 11/22, 8:30am – 12:30pm)
- Help serve the hot meal and clean up the event in the afternoon/evening (Sat 11/22, 12:30pm – 5:30pm)
Please visit this Sign-Up Genius to check out the available opportunities and sign up to volunteer!
Hirsch Recreation Center
3630 Reading Road
Cincinnati, OH, 45229
CLICK HERE FOR HIRSCH REACREATION CENTER MAP
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Lion’s Share Toy Drive 2025
Please join us in spreading the love this holiday season by donating to our toy drive, supporting students and families at Rockdale Academy and South Avondale Middle School. Rockdale Academy serves students Pre-K through 6th grade and South Avondale Middle School is 7th-8th grade.
Last year’s toy drive was a huge success, and we could not have done it without the outstanding help from our staff, volunteers, and members!
Suggested Toy Gifting Guide We recommend purchasing gender neutral toys when possible.
New Winter gear (coats, hats, and gloves) and Hygiene Products (Deodorant, feminine care products, etc.) are always welcome. Our goal is to provide a toy for all our 60–90 grateful families.
Tote Bag’s Needed for the families to carry toys home. Please consider donating these with the toy.
Toy drop off by EOB Dec. 12th. NO NEED TO WRAP!
Collection sites: Zoo’s Gift Shop, City Barn, and Education.
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Employee Gift Shop SALE IS HAPPENING SOON!
The EMPLOYEE SALE at the SSA Gift Shop will be December 3rd-5th (Wed – Friday). Easy way to contribute and drop off donations all in one spot.
From Wednesday, December 3rd, through Friday, December 5th, you’ll enjoy an exclusive 40% off at the Main Gift Shop. Some exclusions apply—ask an associate for details.
✨ Here’s the deal:
- Show your volunteer badge at checkout to claim your discount.
- Stock up on holiday gifts for your loved ones—or treat yourself!
- The best selection is available in-store, but you can browse online to start building your wishlist:
Click Here to look at the Online Gift Shop
If you haven’t visited the Gift Shop recently, now’s the perfect time to check out the incredible items we have in stock. Don’t miss this opportunity to save big on meaningful gifts!
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FOOD Collection CONTINUES in the EDUCATION Building
Collecting through November
Help support our ongoing SNAP food collection and coat drive to share with those impacted by the loss of federal food benefits by bringing donations to Education! We’re accepting non-perishable food items and gently used winterwear including coats, hats, scarves, gloves, etc. for all ages. Our food collection will be ongoing, but CLOTHING COLLECTION ENDS TODAY.
Visit the “Collection Corner” in the Education lobby, located by the elevator/stairwell, to drop off clothing and food in the labeled tubs and wagon! There is also a table with individual food items laid out that we are using as our own Zoo Pantry. Please remind your colleagues, volunteers, students, etc. that these items are for ANY Zoo personnel to take from as needed.
Some donation ideas: canned fruits/veggies, beans, tuna/chicken, soups, stews, and broths or packaged foods like rice, pasta, cereal, nut/seed butters, and shelf-stable milks/juices, granola bars, mac & cheese
Or make a generous impact by giving a monetary donation to local food pantries: Freestore Food Bank, Saint Francis Seraph Ministries, or Last Mile Food Rescue. Thank you for your support!
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Animal Enrichment Christmas Wishlist!
We created an Animal Enrichment Amazon Wishlist full of lots of goodies for our favorite critters! Say, “Hello Black Friday deals”.😉 Items will be delivered directly to the zoo.
We encourage you to check out all the items (and who they’re for!) by clicking the Wishlist image below. Thanks so much for your generous consideration!
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NEW VOLUNTEER POSITION POSTINGS
Please help spread the word (& link: https://cincinnatizoo.org/volunteer) – lots of volunteer areas are now accepting applications!
If you’ve ever thought about joining the volunteer team, there’s never been a better time. When volunteers step up at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, big things happen — new ideas grow, animals thrive, and visitors leave inspired.
Be part of that legacy.
Be part of what’s next.
Zoo Updates
🎉VOLUNTEERS HAVE BEEN IMPERATIVE TO OUR SUCCESS!!🎉
**A MUST READ!!**
“The Zoo has always been a place where people come together for something bigger than themselves.”
-Brittany Garera
“Since 1970, the start of volunteer recordkeeping, more than 6,300 individuals have served as Cincinnati Zoo volunteers. Their fingerprints are everywhere: in the gardens, in the animal care spaces, in the memories of visitors, and in the countless innovations that have shaped the Zoo’s success.”
“Their contributions can’t truly be measured in dollars, though their work has raised and saved millions. Volunteers’ true value is seen in impact, in kindness, in creativity, and in the countless “wonderful things” that happen every single day because of them.”
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Give the Gift of an Animal Adoption This Holiday Season!
Adopt an animal from the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden—the perfect holiday gift for the Cincinnati Zoo animals fan in your life!
Delivery Deadlines to Ensure Arrival by Christmas:
- Mailed ADOPTs: Order by December 11
- Digital ADOPTs: Order by December 18
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ZOO TALES – Mob Mentality: Inside the Meerkat World at the Cincinnati Zoo
Join Keeper Jenna for a behind-the-scenes look at the Cincinnati Zoo’s meerkat mob! Learn what it takes to care for these curious and social animals, how their group dynamics work, and the unique personalities that make each meerkat stand out. From foraging to teamwork, Jenna shares fun facts, daily routines, and insider stories from the meerkat habitat.
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Cincinnati Zoo Membership Sale: Happening Now Through December 31
Plant & Animal Updates
CHLOE AND KEVIN ARE HERE!!! Let the Otterly Amazing Puns Begin!
Chloe (left) is a retired 13-year-old female, who was a surrogate mom to orphaned sea otter pups that were later re-released into the wild, and Kevin (right) is a 1 ½-year-old male that was stranded as a pup and was deemed non-releasable by the USFWS.
“Chloe and Kevin arrived from another accredited AZA facility late Monday (11.17) afternoon and did so well in their indoor space that we decided to go ahead and fast track the outdoor exploration!” said Cincinnati Zoo curator of mammals Kim Scott. “They went right out and played in the waterfall and did flips in the deep end. This new habitat gives visitors lots of opportunities to view the otters, both from above and below the water.” Read the full article below!
The Zoo is home to two other otter species, Asian small-clawed otters and North American river otters, but this is the first time it has housed Southern sea otters, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Southern sea otters are one of three subspecies of sea otters. In the wild, they can be found along California’s central coast.
There are quite a few distinctions between the species. Sea otters are larger than both Asian small-clawed otters and North American river otters. They also have denser coats, spend much less time on land and, unlike the other species, are found only in salt water.
Sea otters have also been known to hold hands with each other while they’re sleeping so they don’t drift apart, according to Ocean Conservancy. Awwww.
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THREE New Manatees in Manatee Springs
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden welcomed three new residents to Manatee Springs yesterday. The young, rescued males — Slushie, Alfred, and Hundo!
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GARDEN GAZETTE, FALL EDITION, NOW LIVE!
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OHHHH Marshmallow!🤓
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS HILARIOUS VIDEO
Marshmallow practicing his big and tough skunk scoots. This is a normal behavior that skunks use to look large and intimidating. He’s still just a big cutie in our eyes!
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Daisy Being an Adorable 2-year-old!
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Elle Showing Off!
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Young Black Bears from Montana Now in Bear Ridge
“Everybody in the United States (except for Hawaii) live within 100 miles of a Black Bear!” Learn more about black bears and even Bowyer Farm in this latest Thane Video.
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THREE little Blue Penguin Chicks🐧
The smallest of all penguins, little blue penguins are also called fairy penguins due to their tiny size. Like other penguins, little blue penguins are designed to swim, not fly. They spend the day foraging for small fish in the shallow waters of the sea close to shore.
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Sleepy Isla, the tamandua…
Also called the lesser anteater, the tamandua uses its long snout to sniff out ant, termite and bee colonies. Long claws enable it to dig into nests, and a long sticky tongue licks up the insects. A single tamandua can eat up to 9,000 ants in a single day!
After being diagnosed with arthritis, Isla, the 11-year old Southern tamandua, had a ramp built by her care team to help her navigate up into her branches. Tamanduas are semi-arboreal, meaning they spend much of their time in trees but also forage on the ground.
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Update on Kris’s Recovery
Kris injured her spinal cord 6 months ago and has come so far in her journey. The team continues to work with our vet team and a Physical Therapist to assess her progress. At this time, she is cleared from all restrictions except for running on the lure. Kris continues more advanced PT including jumps, A-Bs with short jogs and a limbo exercise. The team is now able to share her story with other cheetah teams, and they continue to inspire people here at the zoo by sharing with the public.
Conservation Corner
Celebrating National Ohio Day: Preserving the State’s Native Plants for the Future
Thanks to successful recovery efforts across the eastern and midwestern US, Running Buffalo Clover has officially been delisted from the Endangered Species list as of 2021, which means that it can be found thriving across Southwestern Ohio today!
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ZooTeens Attend Teen EcoSummit!
A group of six dedicated and passionate ZooTeens journeyed up to Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for the Teen EcoSummit last week! It was a day full of learning, networking, and team building alongside groups of teens from schools across Ohio.
As a Teen EcoSummit team, this group of ZooTeens will spend the next 6 months developing and implementing a Conservation Action Plan here in the Cincinnati Zoo community. Through their Conservation Action Plan, the team will engage fellow youth and the broader community in a project that aims to support local wildlife and create lasting change.
Sustainability Stories
A Successful Day of Service on America Recycles Day! (November 13)
The Zoo’s Education School’s Program Department and Hamilton County ReSource partner up each year to bring in hundreds of kids for a FREE trip to the Zoo to learn about all things surrounding: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
This year we had a total of: 433 students & 79 Teachers/Chaperones join for a trip around the Zoo. These students had the opportunity to travel to 10 different stations throughout the Zoo to get their passport stamped after learning about:
- Everyday Recycling
- Sustainable Shopping
- Natural Resources
- Cell Phone & Technology Recycling
- Vermicomposting
- Plastic Pollution
- Nature’s Recyclers (insects that naturally help with decomposition)
AmeriCorps members with our partners from Hamilton County Conservation District, Cincinnati Parks, Cincinnati Recycles, & Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub served together to bring hands-on-learning opportunities for these youth! Students had moments to run in relays, play a variety of games, get their hands dirty, go on a mock shopping trip & have fun while learning!
Thanks to ALL of you out in the Zoo who help to make days like this possible & fun for their entire visit!
In Case You Missed It
Join Zoo Volunteer Observers!
The Zoo Volunteer Observers (ZVO) are looking for additional volunteers!
What is ZVO? Zoo Volunteer Observers (ZVO) complete animal observations remotely and in person for various reasons, including birth watch and behavior. While assisting with these watches, volunteers are asked to complete 4-hour shifts that can be scheduled 24 hours/day. While completing these observations, volunteers are asked to take detailed notes and observe for behavior changes.
There is an IMMEDIATE need for Monday night shift: Midnight – 4am
Volunteer Opportunity: Records Digitization Assistants Needed!
We’re looking for 2–4 experienced Zoo volunteers (1+ year of service) to help with an important records digitization project. Volunteers will assist with organizing and scanning archived materials — tasks that require attention to detail, reliability, and confidentiality. Flexible weekday shifts are available between 9am and 4pm, with training provided.
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Sensory Santa Registration Now Open! 🎅
Please join us for a sensory-friendly Santa meet & greet, where the following accommodations will be made for visitors with sensory sensitivities and/or developmental disabilities and their families:
• Reservation times to avoid standing in a traditional line
• Meet & greets happen before crowds arrive for Festival of Lights
• Lights and music will be lowered
• A separate chair next to Santa
• 10-minute reservations to allow time for visitors to adjust to the setting and meet Santa
• Santa has received training on developmental disabilities by Dr. Jen Smith of the Children’s Hospital LEND program
These experiences DO NOT INCLUDE ADMISSION to the Zoo, which must be purchased separately. Memberships may be used for entry to the Zoo.
PNC Festival of Lights Social Narrative
Sensory Santa Social Narrative
2025 Sensory-Friendly Santa Dates: We will be offering Sensory Santa from 1pm-3pm, with 10 minute time slots for each day.
- November 22 & 23
- November 29 & 30
- December 6 & 7
- December 13 & 14
- December 20 & 21
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Carol Trosset’s Lecture Series
Carol’s Natural History Lecture Series has been a HUGE hit, with one more lecture left to go in 2025! You can sign up to attend in Better Impact.
- 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.
- September 16 – Zoo Opera
- 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.
Thank you to those who provided the great feedback we have received thus far from the below survey – Carol’s monthly Natural History Lecture series for volunteers will continue in 2026!
If you would like to help influence the timing or the topics of the lectures, please answer our three-question survey below:
NATURAL HISTORY LECTURE SERIES SURVEY
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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 (ONLY A FEW SPOTS LEFT!)
- Tanzania – October 4 – 16, 2026 – more details to come…
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UPCOMING ZOO EVENTS:
| Date: | Event: | Time: |
| November 20th, 2025 – January 4th, 2026 | PNC Festival of Lights | 4:00pm+ |
| Wednesday, November 22nd, 2025 | Native Plant Symposium | 8:00am-4:00pm |
| Wednesday, December 31, 2025 Early countdown at 8pm | HAPPY ZOO YEAR | 4:00-10:00pm |
| February 4 – March 4, 2026 | Landscaping for the Homeowner | 7:00-9:00pm |
DAD-JOKE ZONE:
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