Play the Animal Way at Zoo Atlanta

A favorite annual event returns on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Play the Animal Way, a Zoo-wide celebration of the creative talents behind the activities, objects, sounds, scents, and more that ensure that the animals at Zoo Atlanta are active, engaged, and enriched year-round. Animals around the Zoo will investigate the most colorful surprises of the year, sniff out their favorite scents, and solve challenging puzzles as Members and guests gain an appreciation for the innovation and commitment behind a crucial aspect of animal care with fun, themed activity stations highlighting these concepts.

Activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are free for Zoo Atlanta Members and children under 3; free with general admission.

Dynamic animal environments promote choice, allow animals to express species-typical behaviors, and encourage healthy activity levels. Animal lovers interested in contributing to animal environments are encouraged to check out Zoo Atlanta’s Animal Wish List, featuring many items for a variety of species – from perches for parrots to scents for big cats – hand-selected by the Animal Care Team. Items are available for every budget and are shipped directly to the Zoo. Browse the list here.

Meet Costume Character Elmo
As a special addition to the event, Members and guests will have an opportunity to meet Costume Character Elmo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during Play the Animal Way, in celebration of GPB’s upcoming special, Sesame Street and the Great Elephant Adventure, premiering on Wednesday, October 14 at 8 p.m.

Plan a visit at zooatlanta.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Rachel Davis, Director of Communications
404.624.2812
rdavis@zooatlanta.org

Gavin Johnson, Public Relations Manager
404.624.5980
gjohnson@zooatlanta.org

 About Zoo Atlanta
A proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the gold standard for animal care and welfare, Zoo Atlanta has a mission to save wildlife and their habitats through conservation, research, education, and engaging experiences. The Zoo is home to hundreds of animals representing more than 200 species from around the world, many of them endangered or critically endangered. Highlights include a transformed African Savanna featuring expanded habitats for African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostrich, warthogs, meerkats, and rhinos; one of North America’s largest populations of great apes; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Recent transformations include a newly updated African lion complex, opened in April 2025, and the state-of-the-art Rollins Animal Health Center, completed in 2024. In April 2026, Zoo Atlanta announced that through a new International Cooperative Research Agreement on Giant Panda Conservation, initiated between Zoo Atlanta and the China Wildlife Conservation Association, two new giant pandas will be traveling to Atlanta. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.