Volunteer Updates & Opportunities
Limited Time Free Shipping on Volunteer Uniform Orders! (3/16-3/30)
Volunteers may receive free shipping on uniform items ordered through the website during a special window in March. A huge thank you to our incredible Purchasing Team for extending this opportunity to our volunteer community — we’re so grateful for their partnership and support!
Free Shipping Window: March 16–March 30
Orders placed during this time will be shipped directly to the Zoo (no shipping cost to you!) and will need to be picked up here once they arrive. If you order during the free shipping period, you can expect your items to be available for pick up at the Zoo during the first half of May.
We’ll send a detailed email on Monday, March 16 with the ordering link and step-by-step instructions to make sure you receive free shipping.
This opportunity is completely optional — just a great chance if your polos are looking a little well-loved or if you’d like to add a new layer to your volunteer gear.
Try Before You Order – Pop-Up Shop
Want to make sure you get the right size or see the different options in person? You’re invited to stop by the Pop-Up Shop to try things on before placing your order.
Pop-Up Shop Dates & Location:
- March 2–6 | 7:30am–4:00pm
- March 7 | 8:00am–12:00pm
- Purchasing Warehouse (Located in the building on the right after you pass the service gate, just past the Insectarium.)
Feel free to drop in during those times to explore styles and find your best fit. Happy uniform refreshing!
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Mark Your Calendars – 2026 Events in need of Volunteer Help
Check back in the Volunteer Update to see when the sign ups for these volunteer roles become available. Typically the ask will come out in the update 4-6 weeks prior to each event!
| Date: | Event: | Time: |
| Sunday, March 22, 2026 | Cheetah Run 5K | 8:00am Race Time |
| First Four Thursdays in April 2026 | Tunes & Blooms | 6:00-8:30pm |
| Saturday, April 4, 2026 | Easter Celebration | 12:00-5:00pm |
| Thursday, May 7, 2026 | Bourbon Flights | 7:00-10:00pm |
| *Tentative* June 16, 2026 | Stuffed Animal Clinic | 8:00am-5:00pm |
| Friday, June 26, 2026 | Zoo La La | 7:30-11:00pm |
| Thursday, August 6, 2026 | Wild About Wine | 7:00-10:00pm |
| 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 | 12:00-5:00pm |
| November 13 & 14, 2026 | Hops & Holly | 7:00-10:00pm |
| December 31, 2026 | Happy Zoo Year | 4:00-10:00pm |
New Volunteer Role Available with the Education Department: Field Trip Arrival Guide
Position Description:
The Field Trip Arrival Guide would welcome students, teachers, and chaperones to the Zoo and be a resource for them. Guides would work closely with the School Programs and Visitor Experience Teams to facilitate school group arrivals by providing information on school programs in addition to general Zoo information. Other duties would include guiding school groups from the bus lot to the ticketing booth and through the front gate.
- Season: April – June
- Days of the week: Monday – Friday
- Shift Times: 8:45 AM – 11:30 AM
Characteristics of a Good Field Trip Arrival Guide:
- Excited about working with children and the public
- Willing to use a phone or tablet to look up information on schools
- Stays up-to-date on school programs and general Zoo information
- An adaptable problem solver
Further details may be found by CLICKING HERE.
If you are interested in this role, please reply to this newsletter email.
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Birds of New Zealand Lecture Opportunity free for all Zoo Staff & Volunteers!
Cincinnati Native and Author Buck Niehoff will be here on March 31st for a special interest lecture recounting his personal experiences with the indigenous, flightless birds of New Zealand.
This lecture will cover species like the little blue penguin, kea, and the famous kiwi. It will explore conservation topics, Niehoff’s personal experience with the unique birds, detailed in his book, Walking with Birds, and may even include a visit from one of Cincinnati Zoo’s own little blue penguins!
Along with Niehoff, additional guest appearances are expected to be made by both Jean Russell of New Zealand, equipped with a presentation regarding the present conservation status in her Country, and one of the Cincinnati Zoo’s own little blue penguins! Attendants will receive a copy of Walking with Birds and come away with a greater understanding of these unique species and the conservational efforts supporting them.
The lecture is free and will take place on March 31st at 7:00 pm in Frisch’s Theater.
Space is limited, so registration is required.
PLEASE SEE THE NEWSLETTER EMAIL FOR THE REGISTRATION FORM!
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Psst, guess what’s almost here? VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK! (4/19-4/25)
…and Boy, are we ready to celebrate you!
To our incredible volunteers—we are beyond grateful for YOU. We cannot wait to celebrate you with giveaways, in-person events, and more!
Please keep an eye on the newsletters for more information coming soon!!!
Zoo News
What Would Non-Invasive Spay/Neuter Mean for Community Cats?
Dr. Lindsey Vansandt shares with Deborah Cribbs the most exciting development for community cats in decades: A sterilizing injection to replace spay/neuter surgeries.
This could bypass the traditional trap-neuter-return process so that community cats can be trapped, get the injection, and be released the same day — with no anesthesia or recovery time!
Special thanks to the Cincinnati Zoo and CREW for pioneering this incredible project.
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“Ron Wilson retires from WKRC-AM’s ‘In The Garden’ show”
After 24 years, Ron Wilson left his nationally syndicated In The Garden Saturday morning show based at WKRC-AM by urging his listeners to “make every weekend the best weekend of your life.” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
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Summer Camp 2026 REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
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“Cincinnati Zoo taps local builder for Mexican Wolves Habitat, future capital projects”
CLICK HERE FOR THE ARTICLE By Brian Planalp – Staff reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier
Story Highlights
- CZBG selected Terrex Development & Construction as construction manager.
- Terrex will oversee the Mexican Wolves Habitat project that began in October 2025.
- The zoo received a $60 million bequest in 2023 to help fund several capital projects.
If unable to view article from its original publication, please CLICK HERE for WORD version.
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“Cincinnati Zoo helps return 3 manatees to Florida waters”
Three manatees that spent more than a year gaining weight at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden are now back swimming and thriving in their native Florida waters. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
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A FEEL GOOD Story from our Education Department 🙂
Plant & Animal Updates
Meet Rocco the blue duiker!
For the first time in over 20 years, you can now observe blue duikers at the Cincinnati Zoo!
The blue duiker is a small antelope found in central, southern and eastern Africa. It is the smallest species of duiker.
This species does very well with birds, and luckily for us Rocco was a perfect match for our Jungle Trails swamp habitat! Look for him on your next visit. Pro tip: he blends in very well and is roughly the size of a large rabbit. Stand in one spot for a few minutes and watch along the ground towards the right, rear, side of the habitat and you might see him!
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Winter in Horticulture by Emily Wendel
Over the past few weeks, the Horticulture team has been hard at work managing snow removal across the Zoo and surrounding properties. This included hand-shoveling all decks and bridges, using John Deere tractors for smaller pathways, Bobcats for larger paths, and plow trucks to clear and salt the parking lots. When it’s not snowing, we’ve been preparing for Spring by creating plant labels for spring blooms, caring for tropical plants in the greenhouses, and ordering and preparing for the arrival of thousands of annuals.
Thank you to our wonderful, hard-working Horticulture Team for ALL THEY DO year-round!
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A Bear-y Sweet Update on Juniper & Hazel
Get the latest bear-y adorable updates on rescued black bear sisters Juniper and Hazel! In this episode, their keeper Tara shares how the sisters have been settling in at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, what they’ve been up to lately, and how they’re doing during torpor this winter. Learn how these once-tiny cubs are growing, exploring, and thriving in their new home — with plenty of sweet sister moments along the way.
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THANK YOU, FIESTA, the Green Wing Macaw
The Bird Show Team had to say goodbye to Fiesta, the Green Wing Macaw. Fiesta had a little bit of a rough start in life. When he hatched in the Bird House almost 35 years ago, his parents ended up causing some feather damage and the keepers made the choice to finish raising Fiesta themselves. That provided the opportunity for Fiesta to become one of the most memorable stars at the Wings of Wonder.
Through decades of shows, programs and outreach, Fiesta reached thousands of people over the years. What started out as a bird that only a select few could work with, turned into ‘The’ bird for almost everything. He was so forgiving; he was often the first bird we started having interns and new staff work with. He learned countless behaviors from flying, how to use a tablet, having kids hand him toys, hopping, nasal drops, and of course collecting money for the World Parrot Trust. Fiesta aiding in collecting over $30,000 in the past three years at the end of the Bird Show.
Fiesta has been an absolute staple in nearly every program, show or encounter we have done. He has been a part of life for countless keepers and trainers during their journeys over the years. Our team has been busy giving Fiesta all the snacks, love, care, walks to visit friends, toys to play with, paint to jump in, scritches, laughs, boops, and everything else a parrot could ever want. We are all incredibly proud of Fiesta’s legacy, and even more proud he has made an impact for parrots, the zoo and the Bird Show Team.
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Welcome Rye, the prairie dog!
We are so excited to introduce you to Rye the prairie dog! Rye is the newest ambassador animal at the Cincinnati Zoo! He will be meeting zoo visitors during random animal encounters, meeting kids during summer camp, and more. Welcome to Cincinnati Rye!
Prairie dogs are highly social, burrowing rodents related to squirrels that live in massive, complex “towns.” Known for their complex language, they use distinct calls to describe predators (size, shape, color) and greet family members with nose-to-nose “kisses”. These “ecosystem engineers” can run up to 35 mph, dig intricate tunnels, and perform a “jump-yip” display.
Episode 3: What Are Those Giant Beaks on Toucans About? with Aimee Owen (Cincinnati Zoo)
Izzy asks: What Are Those Giant Beaks on Toucans About? Yeah, what ARE they about?! Luckily, Mike and Chanel are friends with Aimee Owen, the Cincinnati Zoo’s Aviculture Senior Keeper (bird keeper), to tell us ALL ABOUT toucans and their giant beaks.
And since The Zooquarium Podcast smushes science and art, Mike makes sure to ask about some fictional toucans in movies, tv shows, and breakfast cereal commercials. Visit https://www.thezooquarium.com/podcast to download quizzes, activity sheets, and bonus materials, upload YOUR art, and submit YOUR animal questions!
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Why Are Sloths So Slow?
The answer is surprisingly simple: Being slow is an incredibly successful strategy for survival. In fact, being slow has helped sloths to survive on this planet for almost 64 million years. It is obviously a winning tactic. But in order to understand exactly what it is, that makes them so slow and why it works so well, we have to look at the biology of these unusual animals in a little bit more detail. CLICK HERE to learn more from The Sloth Conservation Foundation.
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We’re Ready for Spring!
The Botanical Garden is spread throughout Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s 75-acre campus and consists of over 3000 accessions, including everything from groundcovers to tall trees. Click HERE to learn more about all our gardens.
Hello Everybody!
You may have noticed some activity in the plant material around you this past week. That’s right, it’s time for growing degree days. Today is GDD 43. That means the maples are starting to bloom, the tulips are starting to peek out of the ground and it feels like Spring is around the corner.
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March 3rd is World Hearing Day and Otis is all ears!
Hearing plays an important role in how animals — and people — experience the world. From elephants communicating through low rumbles that travel miles, to owls using their incredible hearing to pinpoint prey in complete darkness, sound is a powerful tool for survival.
World Hearing Day is also a reminder to protect our own hearing health. Simple steps like lowering volume, wearing hearing protection, and getting regular checkups can make a lifelong difference. This message is brought to you by Ameritas.
Conservation & Sustainability
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2025 Was Electric!
Our Community Solar Resiliency Program is now supporting both our local and global partnerships. As a conservation organization committed to these partners, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden recognizes that climate equity and wildlife conservation are deeply interconnected. To work toward a world where both people and wildlife thrive, we are collaborating to expand the reach.
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2026 Barrows Conservation Series Features an Exciting Lineup
Not To Be Forgotten Heroes
Karen Harsham (June 20, 1942 – February 8, 2026)
From Devoted Friend, Jo Shair:
I am sad to announce the passing of Karen Harsham, former long time volunteer of the zoo.
Karen began volunteering as a zoo educator in 1998, after retiring from teaching with Cincinnati
Public Schools. However, her relationship with the zoo began before that, with Zoo animals
invited into her classroom on multiple occasions. Karen loved animals. She had a soft spot for
the elephants and gorillas but her all time favorite was Chumley, the camel. She even had the
opportunity to ride him, back in the days when that was a zoo activity. She spoke often with
fondness of her compatriots in the Monday group and their activities that carried even into the
winter season, when volunteering opportunities were shut down for the most part. She enjoyed
the lunches and educational gatherings the group engaged in on a regular basis. Even during
this past year, while she suffered from dementia, she often asked about specific people,
exhibits and events happening at the zoo. She passed away quietly in the early morning hours
of February 8. A memorial service/celebration of life will be held in the chapel at Hospice of
Cincinnati on Cooper Road in Blue Ash on Saturday, April 4. Donations can be made to
Hospice of Cincinnati or to the Cincinnati Zoo.
Did You Know?
Did you know manatees are often called “sea cows”?
These gentle giants spend their days grazing on aquatic plants and can eat up to 10% of their body weight in vegetation daily! Despite their size, manatees are calm, curious, and incredibly graceful in the water.
Stop by to see these amazing marine mammals and learn how we can all help protect their wild habitats.
In Case You Missed It
*VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY* SEWING FOR SUSTAINABILITY – March 13!
The AmeriCorps Members are hosting their fourth (& free!) annual pop-up thrift shop at the zoo on Friday, March 13th (details below)! This year, free sewing kits will be offered, as well as an ONSITE MENDING STATION. We are hoping to breathe some new life into old favorite pieces and maybe even inspire thrift-shoppers to take up a new skill. If you are passionate about keeping our environment (and our clothing) looking its best, consider sharing your time and talent on the mending station repair team!
Shifts are one hour, though you are welcome to signup for more than one, and all materials will be provided. The only thing you need to bring is your expertise! Along with repairs, we will also be trimming unusable uniforms into cleaning rags for the Parks Services team.
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY* ZERO-WASTE Volunteer Team Forming
If you’re passionate about sustainability, love hands-on projects, or just want to make a real difference, consider joining our new volunteer group! As part of this new team, you might:
- Help staff a table at small Zero Waste events where guests bring hard-to-recycle items
- Assist with sorting materials in the Recycling & Reuse Garage once a month
- Roll up your sleeves for some hands-on impact, helping sort materials from smaller events (with gloves and guidance) to make sure everything ends up in the right place
- Support new and creative waste-reduction initiatives across the Zoo
Please complete the form below to let us know you’d like to learn more:
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE INTEREST FORM
Once we build a strong, dedicated volunteer team around this effort, there’s real potential to expand Zero Waste initiatives even further—more events, more materials diverted, and an even bigger impact for wildlife and wild places.
~Come JOIN US and let’s MAKE A DIFFERENCE!~
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Join the Zoo Volunteer Observers (ZVO) Team!
We’re currently looking for dedicated volunteers to serve as Zoo Volunteer Observers (ZVOs) — supporting animal care teams through detailed behavioral observations, including birth watches and behavior monitoring.
ZVOs complete 4-hour shifts (scheduled 24 hours a day) and document important behavior changes through remote and in-person observations.
Current Openings:
• Mondays: Midnight–4:00 AM
• Saturdays: 8:00 PM–Midnight
If you’re detail-oriented, dependable, and excited to contribute behind the scenes to animal care, this could be a great fit for you!
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Volunteer Opportunity: Records Digitization Assistants Needed! (Wise Owls Needn’t Apply)
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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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., MARCH 13, 2026 – Cat-like Carnivores
- APRIL 2026 (Two Dates TBD) – Wildflower Walks at Gorman Heritage Farm
- 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
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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TRAVEL WITH THE ZOO NEXT YEAR IN 2027!
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]
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2026 ZOO EVENTS:
| Date: | Event: | Time: |
| March 18 – April 29, 2026 | Barrows Conservation Lectures | 7:00pm |
| Thursday, March 19, 2026 | Sustainable Urban Landscapes Symposium | 8:50am-5:00pm |
| Sunday, March 22, 2026 | Cheetah Run 5K | 8:00am |
| April 1 – 30, 2026 | Zoo Blooms | 10:00am-5:00pm |
| Thursdays in April 2026 | Tunes & Blooms | 6:00-8:30pm |
| Saturday, April 4, 2026 | Easter Celebration | 12:00-5:00pm |
| Friday, April 10, 2026 | Zootanical | 5:30-9:00pm |
| 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, LEPRECHAUN Edition:
