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Toledo Zoo

PNC ZOOtoDO Presented by Skylight Financial is almost here!

by Toledo Zoo May 22, 2018

Look into the “Eyes of the Wild” Friday, June 15, 2018

You’re invited to the PNC ZOOtoDO 2018 presented by Skylight Financial Group where you can look into the “Eyes of the Wild”!

Pair your best stripes and spots with your black tie and tennis shoes to Party with a Purpose in support of big cats and conservation on a purrfect summer night at the Toledo Zoo!

50+ regional restaurants and caterers presenting their house specialties
Train rides around the Africa! exhibit during the preview party
Live entertainment on multiple stages throughout the night
Full service and specialty drink bars throughout Zoo grounds

ZOOtoDO 2018 Entertainment:
Main Stage: Fu5ion
Carnivore Stage: Bobby G. and the Third Street Cigar Blues Band
Africa! Preview Party: Dave Carpenter

ZOOtoDO is a rain or shine event. Tickets are non-refundable and must be purchased in advance. All guests must be at least 21 years of age with a valid ID to enter. Toledo Zoo reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone unable to provide proof of age.

Come Out To Play!

by Toledo Zoo June 26, 2017

Summer in Toledo is a great time to be outdoors and this type of family fun is what Play Naturally Toledo is all about.

Several studies show that play time in nature promotes physical and emotional well-being, healthy social interaction and stimulates higher level thinking. Attend play-based events at the Toledo Zoo, Toledo Metroparks and the 577 Foundation to explore nature in a new way, with safe play environments that encourage imaginative, wholesome play where children have control over every aspect of their play environment. The program is made possible through a generous grant from the Toledo Community Foundation.

To learn more about how to enroll in the program, please visit the Toledo Zoo program page for more information.

The Toledo Zoo’s own “Finding Nemo”

by Toledo Zoo October 23, 2017

Finding Nemo introduced a whole generation to the world beneath the waves and propelled orange clownfish to superstar status for Aquarium pets.

Orange clownfish (Amphiprion percula) are also called clown anemonefish for the toxic sea anemones with which they have a symbiotic relationship and where they make their home. As their name suggests, orange clownfish are orange with three white bands outlined in black. They average about three inches in length and are native to the coral reefs off the coasts of Australia and southeast Asia.

These fish are omnivores, eating both meat, algae and plants. Interestingly, all clownfish are born male and are able to change to female for breeding, but cannot change back. Even more interesting is that clownfish live in social groups dominated by a single female! The fish communicate through a series of popping and clicking noises to work together to avoid predation by sharks, stingrays and large bony fish. The Zoo is home to a small group of captive raised orange clownfish on exhibit in one of the Aquarium’s jewel tanks.

Toledo Zoo’s Great White Bears

by Toledo Zoo March 21, 2017

Polar Bears

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as a vulnerable species and as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act due to loss of Arctic sea ice from climate change. Current IUCN estimates place the population status at approximately 26,000 bears in the wild. In recent years, some of the 19 known sub-populations of polar bears have seen decreasing numbers due to warming Arctic temperatures which causes a reduction in sea ice, the main location for polar bears to hunt seals, breed and construct dens. As the sea ice melts, polar bears are forced to walk or swim farther to reach their prey (seals). Although powerful short-distance swimmers, polar bears cannot swim for days or weeks on end. Mature bears starve to death and younger cubs drown. Additionally, the reduction in sea ice also causes polar bears to spend more time on land which has put them in greater contact and conflict with humans.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Oo7RObvJCs]

So what can we do to help the great white bear?

We can all work at reducing our individual carbon footprint. The term “carbon footprint” refers to how much carbon dioxide (CO₂) each person, group or company’s daily activities put into the Earth’s atmosphere. Contributing negative factors, include electricity usage, burning of coal and oil, length of commute to school or work and consumption of good and services produced overseas. Positive factors include, energy efficient vehicles and appliances, recycling and conservation efforts and even the number of trees and plants in your yard. Carbon footprints are important because CO₂ is a greenhouse gas, meaning it traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. This heat, in turn, is melting sea ice and warming air and water temperatures.

Your Zoo is also doing its part by participating in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) for polar bears. This cooperative breeding program helps to ensure a healthy, genetically diverse and lasting captive insurance population of polar bears. Over the last ten years there have been approximately 10 successful polar bear cub births in the U.S., with the majority happening at the Toledo Zoo. In fact, the Zoo’s own assistant director of animal programs, Dr. Randi Meyerson, is the polar bear SSP coordinator and advisor to the world-renowned polar bear conservation organization, Polar Bear International (PBI). PBI has also designated the Toledo Zoo as an Arctic Ambassador Center. Zoos designated as Arctic Ambassador Centers strive for bear-friendly exhibits with extensive enrichment activities to stimulate the bears to be active and content. Arctic Ambassador Centers also support PBI research projects, educating the public about climate change and providing leadership for greenhouse gas reductions. Come visit Hope and her mom, Crystal, in the Arctic Encounter exhibit that the Toledo Zoo!

To watch more exciting, educational videos from your Toledo Zoo, please subscribe to our YouTube channel or like us on Facebook.
You can also “adopt” one of the Zoo’s magnificent polar bears!

Come out and enjoy the Zoo—on us—this weekend!

by Toledo Zoo January 12, 2018

During MLK weekend on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, join us at the Toledo Zoo for free admission as Lucas County residents.

Valid proof of residency is required. Howl with our wolves, hang with our polar bears and slither with our snakes and come see what the Zoo is all about during our colder weather months! Learn more at here.

Please Welcome the Zoo’s Newest Baby

by Toledo Zoo April 21, 2017

Welcome Kipenzi, born April 3rd, weighing 130lbs and 67″ tall!

You can visit her this summer at your Toledo Zoo!

Lace up your running shoes for the Medical Mutual Dart Frog Dash at the Toledo Zoo!

by Toledo Zoo March 27, 2018

Have you signed up for the Toledo Zoo’s Dart Frog Dash 5k yet?

Join us for the Medical Mutual Dart Frog Dash on Saturday, May 19! Participate in the 5k race, running a course both on and off Zoo grounds, or bring the whole family out for the Kids 1K Fun Run. Learn more and register here.

YPAC Holiday Howler at the Toledo Zoo

by Toledo Zoo November 27, 2017

Join Young Professionals for Animals and Conservation (YPAC) at the YPAC Holiday Howler on Wednesday, 12/6 at 5:30 p.m. during the holiday tradition, Lights Before Christmas presented by KeyBank at the Toledo Zoo.

Grab a selfie with one of our animal ambassadors, like our South American cavy, and enjoy a discussion with one of the Toledo Zoo’s veterinarians, Dr. Kirstin Thomas, on the Zoo’s exceptional animal care. Warm up with spiked hot chocolate and appetizers, then bundle up and head out to enjoy the Lights display!

Come celebrate ZooTeeNation!

by Toledo Zoo September 15, 2017

The Conda Family Toledo ZOOTeen program is a seasonal/year-round service and leadership program for teenagers, ages 13-17.

The program launched in 1999 with 17 members and now over 400 teens are participating in the ZOOTeen program. Youth are recruited for the summer season and then have the opportunity to be involved throughout the year. The teens are also able to participate in successive years until they turn 18, at which point they may continue as adult volunteers. This continuity provides the Toledo ZOOTeens with innumerable opportunities to create long-term service opportunities that allows our members to build their skills, explore new experiences and be engaged within their communities.

Please join us on Thursday, September 28 for an event to learn more about this program, engage with current and alumni members and meet some of the Zoo’s education animals.

To learn more, click here.

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