Dallas Zoo AAZK Chapter

11/02/2024

Thank you again to everyone for joining us for our annual Halloween lunch and chili cookoff! Your participation made the event a real treat, and it was fang-tastic to see everyone enjoying the festivities!

The elephant team won our pumpkin carving contest with a turtley awesome pumpkin 🎃
Victoria V. won our costume contest with a tubular costume 👏
Chris W. won our chili cookoff with his delicious recipe 🌶️

We appreciate the effort you put into your costumes, pumpkins and chili creations—truly a graveyard smash! We can’t wait to see what you conjure up next year 👻

Stay tuned for our annual Thanksgiving potluck announcement! 🦃

10/30/2024

🎃👻 Remember our Halloween Chili Cookoff is tomorrow! Don’t be a scaredy-cat—bring your best chili to the cauldron and let’s see who can impress these three and reign as the “Chili Champion”! Whether your recipe is fang-tastic or just a little bit wicked, we can’t wait to taste all the delicious entries. Let’s have a gourd time! 🌶️🕷️

10/29/2024

If you need ideas for your Halloween pumpkins! 🎃

10/25/2024

Happy !
Dallas is home to 3 species of very photogenic lemurs- Ring-Tailed, Black and White Ruffed and Brown Collard.

Here are some lemur facts!
🌍 They are native Madagascar and the Comoro Islands
🪮 They have specialized teeth called a toothcomb used for grooming
🦖 They are the oldest living primates with their ancestors living alongside dinosaurs over 70 million lemurs ago
👸🏻 When living in social groups, they follow the lead of the dominant female

According to the IUCN, 31% of all lemur species in Madagascar are listed as Critically Endangered due to many factors such as deforestation, exploitation, and eventually climate change if trends continue. Thankfully there are organizations committed to protecting these amazing animals, focusing on habitat restoration, community outreach and anti poaching. Located in North Carolina, the has the world’s most diverse population of lemurs outside their native Madagascar! Their mission is to advance biological conversation through research, conservation and education. Visit their website to learn more!

📸 Zach G.

10/20/2024

There’s just 11 days until our Halloween Lunch so gather your team and show us your spooktacular carving skills for our Pumpkin Carving Contest! 🎃

It’s a great opportunity for team bonding and a fun way to showcase your creativity! 👨‍🎨

Don’t miss out on the chance to work together, share some laughs, and maybe even win a prize! 🏆

To register, visit the signup genius link in our AAZK email that was sent out on the 18th 📧

10/18/2024

Happy World Okapi Day! 🤎🤍🖤

Here are some Okapi Facts:
🌍They are endemic to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s dense rainforests
👅They have long blue-black tongues that are perfect for pulling leaves off tree branches as well as cleaning their eyes and ears
🦇They are herbivores but their diet can include bat f***s to obtain the salts and minerals found in it
🦶They use scent glands on their feet to mark their territory
🦒Their closest relatives are giraffes and share similar features like ossicones and prehensile tongues
🎂They have been known to live 20-30 years, reaching maturity around 2-3 years
📉The IUCN lists them as endangered as their population has declined over 50% over the past 2 decades

At 8 months old, Malamu (pictured in the 1st and 2nd photo) is the youngest out of the 5 Okapi here at Dallas and our zoologists adore her! In order to ensure these amazing animals and their home are protected, our zoo supports where they provide community assistance and engagement as well as helping protect the forests of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve located in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Check out the amazing work they do and show some love for Okapi not just today but everyday! 🤎🤍🖤
📸 Paige T.

10/12/2024

Get ready for some Chili, Costumes and Carving at our annual Halloween Lunch! 🧟‍♂️

Join us at the Zoo North Pavilion Oct 31st from 11-1pm 🧛‍♂️

Want to participate in the pumpkin carving contest? Stay tuned for an email with the link to register yourself or a team! 🎃

Prizes will be awarded for each contest so come with your most boo-tiful creations! 👻

10/10/2024

Our friends from the Point Defiance AAZK Chapter ( ) are hosting a free and amazing self-care workshop, and you’re invited! 🌿

Join us on October 15 at 8 pm CST via Zoom for an evening of relaxation and wellness, led by Dr. Jane Compson from the University of Washington Tacoma. It’s the perfect chance to recharge and learn some valuable self-care tips with fellow keepers! 🧘‍♀️✨

If you’d like to attend, message us and we’ll send you the Zoom link. Huge thanks to the Point Defiance AAZK Chapter for making this possible! 🫶🏻💚

10/05/2024

Dough-nate for Disaster Relief!
Dallas AAZK will be hosting a staff only bake sale to raise funds for zoological facilities affected by Hurricane Helene. Many of these organizations are facing significant challenges in caring for the animals and restoring their facilities after the devastating storm.
Bake Sale Details:
🧁Date: 10/8-10/10
🍪Time: 11AM-1PM
🍰Location: Auditorium
We invite all staff to stop by to support this important cause. Every treat sold will help provide essential resources for the affected zoos and their animals.
Let’s come together as a community to make a difference! If you’d like to volunteer or donate baked goods, please visit the signup genius link that will be included in the email with more info.
Thank you for your support! 🫶

10/04/2024

Happy International Zookeeper Day! 🦁🐵🥳

Today we celebrate the amazing keepers who dedicate their lives to caring for animals and conserving wildlife. Thanks for making the world a wilder, more wonderful place! 🌍💚

09/27/2024

The zoo's After Dark event last night was a fun opportunity for us to connect with guests! James could probably open up an art gallery with how well he talked about our animal art prints for sale and we even dazzled guests with glitter tattoos! 🎨✨

09/24/2024

Meet our members who are rocking it at the 49th Annual AAZK Conference in Omaha this week! 🎉

From left to right:

🦒 𝗔𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘆 is a large mammal zoologist and has been a Dallas AAZK member for 1 year. She is currently our chapter president and has recently joined the National AAZK social media committee! 📸✨

🐒 𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗮 is a primate zoologist and has been with the Dallas AAZK chapter for 11 years. She also serves on AAZK’s National Board! 🙌

🌍 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗹 and 𝗟𝘆𝗻𝗻 are always up to something amazing! Whether volunteering at the Dallas Zoo or traveling the globe to help with conservation efforts, they’re all about saving wildlife. Daryl has been a member of the Dallas AAZK Chapter for 5 years, and Lynn for 10 years! 🐾🌿

09/23/2024

Need a calendar for 2025? Featuring stunning photography of Dallas Zoo animals by Zoo staff and members, this calendar makes a fantastic holiday gift or addition to your home or office. Plus, all proceeds benefit the Dallas chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK)! Pre-order yours now by visiting the link below.

You will be notified in early November when calendars are ready for pickup (at the blue Membership Booth at the main entrance of the Dallas Zoo).

https://payment.dallaszoo.com/2025calendar

09/12/2024

Another fundraising update! We want to thank everyone who came out to our first Rolling for Roots event! We successfully raised $1116.78, which will be donated to Trees for You and Me!
As one of 70 participating AAZK Chapters, our contribution supports an annual granting program aimed at funding tree-planting initiatives in areas impacted by deforestation, resulting in the collective planting of over 100,000 trees!

08/31/2024

Roaring for Reading is underway and we have already raised $300 for Lion Recovery Fund! We are set up in the auditorium and will be open 9am-4pm until 9/2. This will also be open to the public with a zoo ticket purchase so come on by! 🦁📚

08/26/2024

Roaring for Reading starts this Saturday but we are accepting book and even board game donations until Thursday!📚📚
Drop off location is located in the warehouse. Just look for our lovely sign located under the elephant banner.

08/19/2024

Memphis AAZK has some cool paintings for auction, supporting Orangutan Outreach. Happy World Orangutan Day! 🦧

08/14/2024

Let's turn the page to a brighter chapter for lions!📚🦁
This month, we are bringing back our book sale where proceeds will go to the Lion Recovery Fund, supporting projects across Africa to protect their landscapes and ensure a roaring future for these majestic creatures! The sale will be held at the auditorium 9am-4pm from 8/31-9/2 and will have a diverse selection of books to choose from!

08/14/2024

Thank you to everyone that came out to Rolling for Roots, supporting Trees For You and Me on Monday! Shoutout to our sponsors, volunteers and Alley Cats Entertainment for always being such a great host! 🎳🌳

08/09/2024

Rolling for Roots is right around the corner so don't forget to purchase your ticket below! 🎳🌳
https://tickets.alleycatsbowl.com/affiliate?vid=0&vs=1

As stated before, the funds raised from this event will benefit Trees for You and Me. The program educates individuals about climate issues and supplies a forest based carbon-offset grant to qualified entities in an effort to help many species affected by climate change. To celebrate their 15th anniversary, they are selling a specially designed shirt highlighting 15 of the numerous species helped by the TFYM Restoration Grant. Click the link below to purchase one!

https://www.bonfire.com/aazk-trees-for-you-and-me-15-year-fundraiser/

Trees for You and Me is a fundraiser to combat climate change run by Zoo Keepers!. WHAT IS “TREES FOR YOU AND ME”? A grant program that supports global reforestation...

08/05/2024

🌳We are a week away from Rolling for Roots so don't forget to purchase your tickets!🌳

For just $20 you get unlimited bowling and shoe rental, laser tag, putt-putt golf, rock wall climbing, and a $10 game card for their arcade. What a deal! 🎳⛳️👾

This event will function the same as our previous Bowling For Rhinos events but we will be supporting a different cause this year!

There will be a silent auction as well as animal art prints for sale.

Purchase tickets by visiting the link below! They will be $30 if purchased at the door.🎟
https://tickets.alleycatsbowl.com/affiliate/link?id=A84D80BE-8A37-42D2-A285-2A5D85D4E243

07/27/2024

Same event, different name! This year, we will be hosting our annual bowling event on August 12th, benefiting Trees for You and Me. 🎳🌳

Through a collaboration between the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) and Polar Bears International (PBI), the Trees for You and Me program was established to restore areas affected by deforestation through tree planting initiatives. Local AAZK chapters and other conservationists support this effort by raising funds that are distributed through an annual grant program.

🎟️Tickets are $20 which gets you unlimited bowling and shoe rental, laser tag, putt-putt golf, rock wall climbing, and a $10 game card for their arcade. Purchase tickets by visiting the link below! They will be $30 if purchased at the door.

https://tickets.alleycatsbowl.com/affiliate/link?id=A84D80BE-8A37-42D2-A285-2A5D85D4E243