News & Stories

Zoo News

March 16, 2023

Safari Camp Scholarship Program

Applications are available now for children from Title One Schools in metro Atlanta ATLANTA – March 16, 2023 – Zoo...

Conservation

March 15, 2023

The power of a quarter

Under the driver’s seat of your car right now, there is probably a small metallic disc. It’s mostly copper. There...

Keeper Stories

March 14, 2023

Talking about turacos

Today I’d like to spend some time talking about the turacos. You may have noticed these personable birds in our...

Zoo News

March 9, 2023

CRITICALLY ENDANGERED BOG TURTLES HATCH

Quarter-sized hatchlings are ambassadors for one of Georgia’s most threatened wild places ATLANTA – March 9, 2023 – A pair...

Animal Science

March 8, 2023

Why do binturongs smell like popcorn?

Of the 200+ species we steward here at Zoo Atlanta, binturongs are perhaps one of the least known. These adorable...

Keeper Stories

March 7, 2023

Preparing for a baby gorilla

Hey friends! I hope you are all doing well and thriving. My name is Allie, and I am a gorilla...

Zoo News

March 7, 2023

Educator Appreciation Day and Biomechanics Day

Educator Appreciation Day offers free admission for educators; Biomechanics Day invites people of all ages to explore animals in motion...

Keeper Stories

March 2, 2023

Iguanas!

Hark, O reader of the Keeper Blogs! I—Daniel!—have come to talk about iguanas. And not just any iguanas, but some...

Keeper Stories

February 28, 2023

A new giraffe greeting

Hi friends! My name is Katelyn, and I am on the Hoofstock Care Team here at Zoo Atlanta. If you...

Zoo News

February 28, 2023

ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS OF THE BIRDS, BACKYARDS, AND BEYOND CONTEST

Citizen scientists documented sightings of more than 55 bird species between February 17 and 24 ATLANTA – February 28, 2023...

Conservation

February 27, 2023

Black American Trailblazers in Conservation

February is Black History Month. Throughout this month, people around the nation have celebrated the accomplishments of African Americans in...

Zoo News

February 24, 2023

WELCOME RUBY AND ROSE THE RED PANDAS

Two-year-old sisters will be visible to Members and guests in coming weeks ATLANTA – February 24, 2023 – Zoo Atlanta...

Animal Science

February 22, 2023

The story of tadpoles

As a rule, one cannot make many generalizations about most aspects of reproduction in amphibians; their reproductive habits simply are...

Conservation

February 16, 2023

What is an AZA Institution?

In our most recent Conservation Blog, we spoke a bit about our partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums...

Zoo News

February 15, 2023

JACKIE THE RED PANDA WILL SOON DEPART ON A NEW ADVENTURE

ATLANTA – February 15, 2023 – Jackie, the red panda at Zoo Atlanta, will soon be off on a new...

Keeper Stories

February 14, 2023

Be my Valentine: animal kingdom style

Ah, Valentine’s Day. A whole day of the year dedicated to love. Most of the humans I have encountered have some...

Zoo News

February 9, 2023

JOIN THE GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT!

Become a citizen scientist and win your own Catio or birding experience in Zoo Atlanta’s Birds, Backyards, and Beyond Contest...

Animal Science

February 8, 2023

These goats are made for walking

If you’ve been keeping up with the wonderful world of our petting zoo population, you’re likely familiar with Pickles, Avocado,...

Keeper Stories

February 7, 2023

The storied life of Ros the king vulture

An exciting thing happened this week in the Bird Department! Our own Queen B, Roswell the king vulture, laid an...

Zoo News

February 2, 2023

REGISTRATION OPENS TODAY FOR THE THIRD-ANNUAL RUN LIKE WILD 5K

Get set to run for reticulated giraffes on April 22 ATLANTA – February 2, 2023 – Ready, set, run! Registration...

Conservation

February 1, 2023

Excellent Acronyms

No matter where you work, there are probably some acronyms and terminology that you use that people outside of your...

Keeper Stories

January 31, 2023

A shoutout to our Volunteers!

Hey all, I’m Erin, a member of the Orangutan Care Team here at the Zoo. I want to use this...

Conservation

January 25, 2023

Be a part of our partnerships: Get involved with the Zoo

In our first Conservation Blog of the year, we announced our 2023 Conservation theme: Partnerships. Put simply, this year’s Conservation Blogs...

Zoo News

January 24, 2023

APPLY FOR SEASONAL AND PART-TIME POSITIONS AT THE ZOO ATLANTA JOB FAIR

Bring a résumé for a one-on-one interview with a hiring manager on February 9 WHAT: Dependable, enthusiastic, and outgoing job...

Keeper Stories

January 20, 2023

The beautiful and extraordinary mossy frog

Hey y’all, I’m Ben from the Herpetology Department at Zoo Atlanta. Today, I’m going to tell you about one of...

Animal Science

January 18, 2023

The Guatemalan beaded lizard and its complete genome

Zoo Atlanta is renowned for our conservation breeding program for what is arguably the most endangered lizard species in the...

Zoo News

January 17, 2023

2022 Research Accomplishments

A genome of one of the world’s most endangered lizard species was the first ever assembled. A new look at...

Keeper Stories

January 10, 2023

New year, new career experiences

Hi everybody! As we have just entered into the new year, I have come to realize that we are that much...

Conservation

January 9, 2023

VulPro Update

Did you know that 25 cents of every Zoo Atlanta general admission ticket benefits programs for wildlife? Check out an...

Zoo News

January 5, 2023

Last chance to experience IllumiNights at the Zoo

Chinese Lantern Festival closes for the season after January 15 WHAT: The coming nights are Atlanta’s last chances to experience...

Conservation

January 4, 2023

What is conservation?

It’s a word you probably encounter every time you visit the Zoo or read something we post online, but what...

Keeper Stories

January 3, 2023

New year, new ways to support backyard birds

As the new year begins, it’s a good time to start thinking about the ways we can help the world...

Conservation

December 28, 2022

Great news for the Big Cat Safety Act!

A storm is coming. A real storm. Not the kind of storm that you sit on your back porch and...

Zoo News

December 27, 2022

WILLIE B., JR. WILL BE A FATHER!

Female Shalia is expecting ATLANTA – December 27, 2022 – In an exciting continuation of a uniquely Atlanta legacy, the...

Keeper Stories

December 22, 2022

So much more than that

The zoo world is an interesting organism, both literally and figuratively. From the outside looking in it is entertainment, conservation...

Zoo News

December 21, 2022

Zoo Atlanta closed December 23 and December 24

Zoo Atlanta will be closed for regular operations on Friday, December 23 and Saturday, December 24. IllumiNights will also be...

Conservation

December 19, 2022

Carbon Offset Guide

It’s the last Conservation Blog of 2022! The end of the year is always a poignant time as we look...

Animal Science

December 14, 2022

Hamerkop Nest Deconstruction

Our hamerkops Hammy and Penny have moved into their “winter home!” As a native species to Sub-Saharan African and coasts...

Zoo News

December 14, 2022

ZOO ATLANTA MOURNS LOSS OF SPARKY THE TIGER

The Zoo Atlanta family is saddened to announce the passing of Sparky, an 18-year-old male Sumatran tiger, on December 14,...

Keeper Stories

December 13, 2022

Baby(ies) on board!

Hi there! I’d like to tell you about one of my favorite snake species we have here at Zoo Atlanta!...

Zoo News

December 8, 2022

New Conservation Commitment for Five International Programs

Projects for red pandas, clouded leopards, slender-snouted crocodiles, drill monkeys, and western lowland gorillas will be funded in 2023 by...

Conservation

December 7, 2022

Happy (& healthy) holidays

Excuse me, but how can it possibly be December already? Surely it hasn’t been a whole year (okay, fine, 11...

Keeper Stories

December 6, 2022

Why I’m thankful

Hey all! I thought with the holiday season in full force, it would be a great time to focus on...

Zoo News

December 2, 2022

Zoo Atlanta’s Holiday Gift Guide has inspirations for every animal lover

WHAT: The season’s most appreciated gifts last far longer than a single holiday season. Gifts from Zoo Atlanta create memories,...

Conservation

November 30, 2022

It’s not easy being green!

Perhaps you were not aware that Zoo Atlanta has a Green Team – although as loud and pushy as we...

Keeper Stories

November 29, 2022

Avian weaponry

Down in the Lower Zoo lives a fascinating little bird, the masked lapwing (Vanellus miles). These Australia natives are members...

Keeper Stories

November 22, 2022

Joining Zoo Atlanta’s Orangutan Care Team

Hello everyone! My name is Jake Bedenbaugh, and I am the newest member of the Orangutan Care Team here at...

Zoo News

November 21, 2022

OPENING TONIGHT! ILLUMINIGHTS

Zoo Atlanta is all aglow with the highly anticipated return of IllumiNights: A Chinese Lantern Festival, opening Monday evening, November...

Keeper Stories

November 18, 2022

The awesome ostrich

Hey there! Hoofstock Keeper Cory checking in here. I wanted to share some cool facts about the largest birds in...

Conservation

November 16, 2022

Tips for Holiday Sustainability

It’s hard to believe how fast this year has passed, and that we have already arrived at the holiday season!...

Keeper Stories

November 15, 2022

Sharing a passion for venomous snakes

Hey everyone! This is Ash from the Herpetology Department back to tell you about a recent professional development opportunity that...

Animal Science

November 9, 2022

How smart are Kunekune pigs?

Here at the Zoo, we’re honored to have some of the Earth’s most intelligent species in our stewardship. You may...

Conservation

November 2, 2022

“A chili plant and a bee stop an elephant from walking into a farm …”

You’re on the front porch of your home in a swing, and steam rises from a warm cup of coffee...

Keeper Stories

November 1, 2022

Meet the Gremlins!

With Halloween at our backs and the holidays right around the corner, I wanted to talk about one of the...

Animal Science

October 26, 2022

Halloween Research Edition! Vampires and other monsters

Scientists don’t have much patience for myths, science fiction, or pseudo-science. Legends inspire us, but irritate our sense of orderly...

Keeper Stories

October 26, 2022

The story of the Bali mynah

When you first see a Bali mynah (aka Bali starling), your first impression will be of a small white starling...

Conservation

October 19, 2022

Trick or T[h]reat?: keeping your haunted house safe for wildlife

We are entering the holiday season marathon friends! For many of us, one of the best ways to get in...

Keeper Stories

October 18, 2022

Celebrate World Gorilla Day every day

Hey everyone, it’s Holly from the Gorilla Care Team! Recently, we celebrated World Gorilla Day on September 24. What exactly...

Zoo News

October 12, 2022

BOO AT THE ZOO PRESENTED BY GEORGIA NATURAL GAS

Atlanta’s favorite fun family Halloween festival is back for four magical days in October WHAT: Atlanta’s favorite fun family Halloween...

Animal Science

October 12, 2022

Studying behavior to understand animals’ wants and needs

Let’s be real, human-animal communication can be complicated! The largest issue being that we don’t speak the same languages. So...

Keeper Stories

October 11, 2022

Will it be a match made in binturong heaven?

Hi. I’m Shauna, and I’m a member of the Carnivore Team here at Zoo Atlanta. You may not know, but animals, as with...

Zoo News

October 5, 2022

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE FOR COOKIES WITH SANTA

Santa makes his annual holiday stop at the Zoo on December 3 and 4 WHAT: Tickets are on sale now...

Keeper Stories

October 5, 2022

Celebrating Croctober

Greetings from Scaly Slimy Spectacular! We are celebrating Croctober here at Zoo Atlanta, featuring our two west African slender-snouted crocodiles...

Keeper Stories

September 29, 2022

Sven and the Mysterious Nutrition Kitchen

By Robert Amrhein, Keeper III Ambassador Animals Illustrations by Summit St. John, Ambassador Animals Intern One day two, fluffy, sheep...

Conservation

September 29, 2022

Say ‘Boo!’ to zoonosis

Just in time for spooky season, you can now catch a glimpse of Casper at Zoo Atlanta! No, not that Casper. He’s...

Animal Science

September 28, 2022

Reptile learning

Reptile learning and cognition – not something many people think of when they see an anole run across their garden...

Keeper Stories

September 27, 2022

All about food

Hi everyone, it’s Claire from the Bird Team! Today I wanted to teach you about our birds’ diets. We’ve all...

Zoo News

September 23, 2022

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE FOR ILLUMINIGHTS AT THE ZOO

Chinese Lantern Festival returns for the holiday season, with the splendors of nature in lights ATLANTA – September 22, 2022...

Keeper Stories

September 22, 2022

Changing seasons at the Zambezi Elephant Center

It’s been a quiet week at the Zambezi Elephant Center. As summer (erroneously referred to as “the busy season”) winds...

Conservation

September 21, 2022

It’s called [sustainable] fashion!

Fall is just around the corner, and if, like me, you’re getting excited for crisp-weather fashion (knits, outerwear, boots… I...

Keeper Stories

September 20, 2022

Zoo Atlanta’s new colobus baby

It’s Caroline from the Small Primate Team. You may have heard that we have a new Angolan colobus baby. This...

Zoo News

September 15, 2022

ZOO ATLANTA WELCOMES CASPER THE BONTEBOK

New to the Zoo, his species represents a dramatic and unusual conservation turnaround Zoo Atlanta is pleased to welcome Casper,...

Zoo News

September 14, 2022

LAST CHANCE FOR TICKETS TO SIPPIN’ SAFARI

Sampling of more than 50 wines, a Spice Girls tribute band on the main stage, and more on September 17...

Animal Science

September 14, 2022

Why do lions sleep so much?

If you pass by the lion habitat at midday, it’s a pretty safe bet you’ll find Hondo, Azizi, and Hatari...

Keeper Stories

September 13, 2022

Dodos are gone, but who are their relatives?

When you think of animals that went extinct in the past few centuries, what animal comes to mind? Most likely...

Zoo News

September 12, 2022

THE ONLY GIANT PANDA TWINS IN THE U.S. CELEBRATE SIXTH BIRTHDAY

Giant panda twins Ya Lun and Xi Lun turned 6 on September 3, 2022. On Saturday, September 10, the Panda...

Conservation

September 8, 2022

Biodiversity and Human Health

“There are worlds within worlds…Everything in our world is connected by the delicate strands of the web of life, which...

Zoo News

September 8, 2022

ZOO ATLANTA WELCOMES MALFOY AND STRAWBERRY THE WRINKLED HORNBILLS

Endangered species is new to the Zoo with significant conservation messages ATLANTA – September 8, 2022 – Zoo Atlanta...

Keeper Stories

September 6, 2022

Birthday “cakes” for our hoofed friends

Hi everyone, I’m Kennedy, and I recently completed a rotation as a Seasonal Hoofstock Keeper here at the Zoo. I’m...

Keeper Stories

September 1, 2022

The wonderful world of orangutan enrichment

Hey there fellow animal enthusiasts! Caitlin from the Orangutan Care Team, here to talk a little more about the enrichment...

Keeper Stories

August 30, 2022

The joys of Anaka!

Hey y’all, and welcome to another addition of Keeper Stories. My name is Sara Fee, and I’m a Senior Keeper...

Keeper Stories

August 26, 2022

From Outback to Carnivores

Hello! It’s Carnivore Keeper Adrianna here for today’s Keeper Stories! If you know a little bit about me, you know...

Keeper Stories

August 25, 2022

It’s flamingo hatching season!

You know breeding season is in full swing when everything in the flamingo habitat is covered in mud, including the...

Animal Science

August 24, 2022

The Mighty Pirate

Imagine you are dressed up like a pirate, eye patch and all, and you decide to visit the Zoo. Would...

Keeper Stories

August 19, 2022

A successful summer at Amy’s Tree Theater

I am beyond proud of our Wieland Wildlife Home Team this past summer season! Memorial Day weekend we debuted a...

Conservation

August 17, 2022

Vegetarian Cookbooks for the Plant-Based Curious

Hi Everyone! Brooke from the Public Relations Team here. If you’ve been following us for a while, you know we...

Keeper Stories

August 12, 2022

Habitat updates for our scaly friends

Hi everyone! It’s Kelly from Herpetology! Walking around the Zoo, you may have noticed some changes going on in the...

Animal Science

August 10, 2022

What’s in a rhino horn?

Many of you already know that last year, our southern white rhinoceros Mumbles got a new companion! Kiazi arrived from...

Keeper Stories

August 9, 2022

Celebrating World Elephant Day together

Hi everyone! Caleb with the Elephant Care Team here, once again! August 12 is World Elephant Day, an international event...

Keeper Stories

August 5, 2022

Meet Avocado, Wasabi, and Pickles!

Hello! I’m Becky, the Associate Curator of Ambassador Animals. That means I get the privilege of working with the team...

Conservation

August 3, 2022

What is an extinction vortex?

Sounds like a bad 80s hair band, but it’s something far worse There are some things that are plainly true...

Keeper Stories

August 2, 2022

The horn of the hornbill: what’s it for?

Hornbills are a fascinating group of birds. While these long-beaked animals might superficially resemble toucans, the hornbill family (Bucerotidae) is...

Zoo News

August 2, 2022

GOLDEN LION TAMARIN DAY BRINGS A NEW COMMITMENT

Partnership with Golden Lion Tamarin Association is a continuation of a conservation success story ATLANTA – August 2, 2022 –...

Animal Science

July 27, 2022

Skin: An Additional Tool for the Versatile Elephant Trunk

Zoo Atlanta is very proud to have partnered with doctoral student Andrew Schulz of the Georgia Institute of Technology on...

Conservation

July 20, 2022

Composting 101

Our last Conservation Blog gave some great pointers on how to eat sustainably this summer. This week, we’re keeping the...

Conservation

July 14, 2022

Quarters for Conservation: Vulpro

Hi, I’m Christina, Lead Keeper in Ambassador Animals and the Quarters for Conservation Champion for Vulpro, one of the three organizations benefiting...

Animal Science

July 13, 2022