Topeka Zoo

01/13/2025

🐾We aren't lion... you can have your birthday party at the Topeka Zoo!

You are in for a wildly fun time!🦁🎉

Learn more at https://topekazoo.org/parties-rentals/birthday-parties/

01/12/2025

Did anyone order the lightly-breaded llama? 🦙

📸: Keeper Madison N.

(Video of the coating process in comments!)

01/11/2025

A snowy photoshoot for your ❄️🦁

Despite all the white stuff, Tatu has been making use of the lions’ side yard (behind the scenes) and still spends time sunning outside. 😌

Meanwhile… lioness Asante is quite content with watching from her doorways and windows! 👀 her in the 3rd & 4th photos. ❄️🪟

📸: Animal Curator Shanna

01/10/2025

🌟 Spring Break is the Goat-to Place for Fun! 🌟
Looking for something a-maaa-zing for your kids this Spring Break? 🐐 Our Spring Break Camp registration opens on January 20th, and it’s guaranteed to be un-baaa-lievable!

From animal encounters to crafts so good they’ll make you say, "this camp has it all!" Don’t bleat around the bush; secure your spot!

Keep an eye out for camps, here: https://topekazoo.org/education/camps/spring-break-camp/

01/10/2025

❗️❄️ IMPORTANT UPDATE ❄️❗️

Due to the winter weather which has produced snow on top of patches of ice, the Topeka Zoo has decided to be CLOSED today, January 10.

We will continuously post updates on our open hours as we work through these winter conditions- we thank everyone for their continued support and patience.

01/09/2025

O’ Christmas tree, O’ Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches. 🌲

Some of our animals have already been enjoying the donated trees while staying warm inside. Due to the inclement weather & road conditions, we have EXTENDED the drop-off period to Sunday January 12. Donations of real, clean Christmas trees can be dropped off in the designated area inside Gage Park, next to the horseshoe court.

01/08/2025

❄️❗️HOURS UPDATE ❗️❄️

For the safety of our guests & staff, the Topeka Zoo has decided to delay our opening hour for the remainder of the week (Thursday January 9 - Sunday January 12). This will give us needed extra time in preparing & salting our paths for visitors. Our maintenance crew has been hard at work battling the snowy conditions- cleared pathways becoming unclear due to snow drifting, or snow melting and then freezing overnight have caused quite the frustration!

Our gift shop will still be opening at 9 am to accept any shoppers or membership inquiries.

Thank you to all our visitors for their support and patience as we continue to push through this winter weather! We encourage you to keep checking back daily for updates. ❄️🥶

01/08/2025

🐘 Slap It On Your Trunk*! 🐘

Support the Topeka Zoo and our amazing elephants by renewing your vehicle registration with a Topeka Zoo license plate! Your $50 annual donation helps provide world-class care for our animals, including your favorite trunked friends.

Learn more: https://topekazoo.org/kansas-license-plate/

*Please note that Tembo is holding a paper version of the plate, not a real license plate.

01/08/2025

🌲🌲🌲 GREAT NEWS! 🌲🌲🌲

Tree drop off has been extended to Sunday, January 12th! It has obviously been less than ideal to be out and about to do said tree drop offs, so we are grateful to be adding some additional days while we thaw out!

Our animal ambassadors will appreciate your donation and we hope you are also staying safe and warm! 🐘🦒🐅

❗️UPDATED DUE TO THE WINTER STORM: Donations will be accepted until SUNDAY, JANUARY 12TH.

The Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center is once again accepting live Christmas tree donations, starting December 26th. Donated trees can be dropped off on the southeast side of Gage Park, just east of the horseshoe court parking lot.

To drop off a tree, enter Gage Park from the 10th Street entrance, turn right onto Munn Memorial Drive heading northwest, and look for the orange snow fence near the horseshoe courts. Trees should be placed in the grassy area nearby.

For the safety of the animals, please ensure that all trees are free of ornaments, tinsel, hooks, tree stands, and plastic bags. Donated trees will be enjoyed by various animals, including lions, tigers, owls, giraffes, black bears, mountain lions, painted dogs, and more.

After the animals have had their fun, the trees will be chipped into mulch and repurposed throughout the community. The zoo will accept tree donations through January 10, 2025.

01/06/2025

📣 Important Update: Chipotle Fundraiser for the Topeka Zoo 🌯🐾

Due to snowy weather, our Chipotle fundraiser originally scheduled for January 7th has been rescheduled to January 28th. ❄️➡️☀️

Mark your calendars and join us on Tuesday, January 28th, at the Chipotle location on Wanamaker to enjoy a delicious meal while supporting the zoo! 25% of the proceeds will go directly toward helping our amazing animal ambassadors and conservation initiatives.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We can’t wait to see you there on the 28th for burritos and a great cause! 🌯❤️🐘

https://www.facebook.com/share/15Ycwf6h3P/

01/06/2025

what. is. THIS? ❄️

The Golden lion tamarin family took some time to… warm up to the idea of snow as enrichment. First reach-in attempts only ended in little paws being rapidly wiped off, but they got to snacking eventually!

📸s: Keeper Caroline

01/05/2025

❄️❗️EDITED UPDATE: We will be CLOSED on Monday, January 6 due to weather & road conditions.

We have incredible staff that are remaining onsite to ensure both animals and other staff members are safe & well.

Stay safe, don’t go out unless you absolutely need to, & bundle up! ❄️❗️

01/05/2025

❄️ Snow accumulation on the roof of the Rainforest dome! 🌴🦜

We are happy to report that animal care staff are safe and working tirelessly today to keep our animals warm & cared for. So much appreciation for the crew that is sticking out the winter storm. 🙌

📸s: Keeper Caroline

01/04/2025

❗️UPDATE DUE TO WINTER ADVISORY❗️

With the incoming inclement weather, the Topeka Zoo has decided to CLOSE to the public at 4 pm today (January 4).

We will remain CLOSED on January 5. Depending on circumstances, we may or may not be open on Monday January 6 - please check back as we continue to post updates.

❄️ Animal care staff will still be here to provide the best care possible for our animal residents, and are already taking precautions in ensuring staff & animal wellness/safety through the storm.

01/04/2025

❗️UPDATED DUE TO THE WINTER STORM: Donations will be accepted until SUNDAY, JANUARY 12TH.

The Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center is once again accepting live Christmas tree donations, starting December 26th. Donated trees can be dropped off on the southeast side of Gage Park, just east of the horseshoe court parking lot.

To drop off a tree, enter Gage Park from the 10th Street entrance, turn right onto Munn Memorial Drive heading northwest, and look for the orange snow fence near the horseshoe courts. Trees should be placed in the grassy area nearby.

For the safety of the animals, please ensure that all trees are free of ornaments, tinsel, hooks, tree stands, and plastic bags. Donated trees will be enjoyed by various animals, including lions, tigers, owls, giraffes, black bears, mountain lions, painted dogs, and more.

After the animals have had their fun, the trees will be chipped into mulch and repurposed throughout the community. The zoo will accept tree donations through January 10, 2025.

01/04/2025

Loving North America’s only marsupial is IN ✅ for 2025.

We HAD to share this sweet reaction/interaction between guests and our Virginia opossum, Violet. Violet is now housed in a unit inside our Animal & Man building to help her stay warm through the winter season. Make sure to stop by and wave hello during your next visit!

💜 Special thanks to these guests for making our day, giving us hope for future generations of opossum appreciators, and for granting permission to share! 💜

📸: Animal Care Supervisor Carley

01/03/2025

New Year, Same Sarge. 🤷🦒👅

Giraffe tongues can be as long as 18-20 inches, very useful for grabbing ahold of leaves or branches to munch on. In comparison, a human’s tongue is approx. 3 inches long, making a giraffe’s about 6 times longer.

📸 1: Keeper Shannon
📸 2: Keeper Ericka