SAFARI MEMORIES
The Official Magazine of the Toledo Zoo
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Volume 29 |
Issue 4
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Winter 2020
WELCOME LETTER Toledo Zoo began with the donation of a single woodchuck in 1900. Over the past 120 years, we have created and shared countless memories with our visitors. As we move toward the end of a difficult year, we want to recollect some of the generations’ worth of positive memories made on our 75+ acres. We have shared amazing births, conservation firsts, moments of compassion, sadness and loss, new beginnings— everything life has to offer both humans and animals. We hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane compliments of our staff, volunteers, members, visitors and, of course,
Cover photo: Galapagoes tortoise (Galopy)
Toledo Zoo's new mission statement:
animals. We look forward to making many more memories together. Here’s to another 120+ years of Your Toledo Zoo! Sincerely,
JEFF SAILER President & CEO, Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
ENJOY. INSPIRE. EDUCATE. ACT.
Safari is an exclusive benefit to Toledo Zoo members. Membership also includes free, unlimited, year-round admission and parking during regular Zoo hours; a subscription to the Zoo’s e-newsletter; early access to Summer Concert Series tickets; discounts on Zoo merchandise, food and beverage, classes, programs and more; and discounted admission to 150+ zoos and aquariums nationwide. toledozoo.org/membership
CONTACT INFORMATION
2 Hippo Way • P.O. Box 140130 Toledo, Ohio 43614-0130 419-385-5721
An accredited member of World Association of Zoos and Aquariums | W A Z A United for Conservation
®
EDITORS: JEFF SAILER & SHAYLA MORIARTY WRITER: KIM HADDIX DESIGNER: ANN KINSMAN PHOTOGRAPHER: COREY WYCKOFF PRINTER: MUIR PRINT & MARKETING Safari is published quarterly by the Toledo Zoo, P.O. Box 140130, Toledo, OH 43614-0130. Second-class postage paid at Toledo, Ohio and at additional mailing offices. Printed on recycled paper. ©2020 by Toledo Zoo.
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DECEMBER 13, 2020 Virtual option available! Register today!
TOLEDOZOO.ORG/POLARPAWS
Joanne Vick hosting games at Little Boo
Jim Kinnear handling the skink in the Reptile House.
A MILESTONE CELEBRATION
ZOO EDUCATORS 40TH ANNIVERSARY WITH BILL DAVIS, DIRECTOR OF VOLUNTEERS Volunteers have had a long tradition at Toledo Zoo and no single group of volunteers has been more of a fixture than Toledo Zoo Educators or Zoo-Eds. Wearing their iconic red shirts, Zoo Eds have been on Zoo grounds for 40 years. Over the years, they have led tours and delivered classroom programming at the Zoo and throughout area schools. They have also provided visitors with up-close looks at an array of live animals, including cockroaches, turtles, snakes, armadillos, kinkajous and owls. In addition, they have helped behind the scenes, stuffing envelopes and even supporting animal care staff. For example, Zoo Eds monitored the behavior of our African elephant, Renee, when she was pregnant with Louie and Lucas. Using video technology to watch for signs of impending labor, they staffed that conference-room post
24 hours a day for weeks, providing invaluable service to the keeper staff. The list of Zoo Ed support never seems to end: special events, such as ZOOtoDO and concerts, as well as levy campaigns. They even help our HR department check references during our spring hiring rush. And of course, they are friendly, smiling faces that greet our visitors every day, in exhibits throughout the Zoo, answering questions and helping make every visit special. Joanne Vick became a Zoo Ed in the fall of 1980. 40 years later, she continues to be an active member of a program that has been so important to her. She has seen so many changes during her tenure as old exhibits were removed or renovated and animal exhibits became larger and featured
more naturalistic settings. Asked about her favorite moments, Joanne replied that she was “privileged to volunteer in the gorilla area for 16 years” and that throughout her volunteer experience, she has made “everlasting friendships with other volunteers and Zoo employees.” This year, we are so pleased to honor Joanne and all Zoo Eds, past and present, as we celebrate 40 years of service, dedication and passion for animals, conservation and the Toledo Zoo. We thank you and look forward to the next 40 years! TOLEDOZOO.ORG/VOLUNTEER
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Giant Panda
Bubbles
Galopy
THE PAN DAS W E RE 6 AND 7 Y E ARS OL D WHEN H E RE AN D D ELI GH T E D M ORE THA N ON E M I L L I O N VIS I TORS!
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BLAST FROM THE PAST
BELOVED ZOO ANIMALS GALOPY
Species: Galapagos tortoise (male) Time at Zoo: 1950s - 1983 Memories: Many have shared pictures and memories of riding Galopy up and down stairs and all-around Wonder Valley.
CYRIL
Species: Sea lion (male) Time at Zoo: 9 days in 1958 Memories: Cyril is of the shortest-tenured residents of the Toledo Zoo, but it also one of its most infamous! On June 17, 1958, Cyril escaped his exhibit enclosure at Storybook Gardens in London, Ontario, diving into the nearby Thames River, which eventually led him all the way into Lake Erie. Fueled by a $200 reward, the race was on to recapture the sea lion, but he eluded all would-be captors for 10 days! Cyril eventually “turned himself in” and Phil Skeldon, Toledo Zoo director, brought him into the Toledo Zoo on June 27, where the sea lion became a star attraction. Cyril was returned to his facility in Canada on July 6, but left a lasting impression on Toledo.
LE LE & NAN NAN
Species: Giant panda (male and female) Time at Zoo: May- Oct 1988 Memories: These two beloved Giant Pandas came to Toledo Zoo from Wolong Nature Reserve in Sichuan, China and spent 100 days on exhibit in what is now The Lodge. The pandas were 6 and 7 years old when here and delighted more than one million visitors!
LOUIE
Species: African elephant (male) Time at Zoo: 2003-2017 Memories: Many remember Louie’s well-publicized birth, growth milestones and yearly birthday parties held in Tembo Trail. He currently resides at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and the hope remains for future breeding. Learn more about our current animal residents at TOLEDOZOO.ORG/ANIMALS
BUBBLES
Species: Nile hippopotamus (female) Time at Zoo: 1955-2013 Memories: One of the first residents of the innovative Hippoquarium, Bubbles giving birth to baby, Puddles, was the first time an underwater hippo birth had been videoed back in 1986.
Louie Memories
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A NEW FRIEND:
THE STORY OF SAM WITH KRISTIN DAILEY, ZOOKEEPER
One of my favorite memories at the Zoo thus far occurred during a paid behind-the-scenes tour with our white rhinos, Sam and Lulu on July 5, 2014. Before the tour, Sam was his normal rambunctious self, running around his stall, crashing into his barrel and knocking his horn on the gates. He loved having visitors so he would calm down- just a little- during the behind-the-scenes tours so that he could get scratches and snacks from his soon-to-be new friends. The group this particular
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weekend was made up of two different families. One of the families had a daughter that was wheelchair bound. Not knowing how Sam would react, I had the other family come forward to meet him first. Per usual, he was rubbing his horn and begging for snacks during his meet and greet. When it was time for the young girl in the wheelchair to meet Sam, he instantly calmed down. He stopped rubbing his horn and he stopped banging on the gate. He made eye contact with her and
lowered his head as he pushed the side of his face to the gate, asking her to touch him. I helped her touch his face as she talked to him. He sensed that she was special and he needed to be calm and gentle with her. In that moment (and now more than 6 years later) I was so proud to witness this special encounter between two new friends.
FROM PAST TO PRESENT
AQUARIUM: BEFORE AND AFTER WITH JAY HEMDAL, GENERAL CURATOR
BEFORE AND AFTER: BEHIND THE SCENES
BEFORE AND AFTER: WEST HALL
BEFORE AND AFTER: REEF EXHIBIT
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Aquaria construction
HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE
WPA BUILDINGS ON ZOO GROUNDS
Aviary construction
WITH PETER TOLSON, PH.D., DIRECTOR EMERITUS CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH The Works Progress Administration, one of many New Deal programs instituted by President Franklin Roosevelt to bring the country out of The Great Depression in the 1930s and 40s, employed out of work local craftsmen and utilized recycled materials to construct public buildings and roads all across America. Your Toledo Zoo benefitted greatly from this program and boasts one of the largest collections of WPA structures in the country with 5 unique structures! Even better…all are still utilized as intended/built pushing nearly a century later!
1934: REPTILIA The Reptile House was completed by the Civil Works Administration (CWA), the precursor to the WPA, at a total cost of $150,000. This building was constructed all by hand and with salvaged brick from abandoned local structures (House of Refuge at Walbridge Park, Temple Theater and City Street Department barns), timber from
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Wabash Railroad Roundhouse and stone from Ohio and Erie Canal locks and piers. Note the two “minarets” that flank the exterior of the building…they are actually cleverly concealed outlets for giant exhaust fans that cooled the building prior to air conditioning. Also, take note of the carved animals on the exterior- one is unfinished as the sculptor died before completing it!
1936: AMPHITHEATRE The Amphitheatre opened on July 16 and the complementary Indoor Theatre in October. The natural beauty of the hollow north of the Aquarium allowed construction of the Amphitheatre in the classic Greek manner of an outdoor theater. The orchestra area- the semi-circle in front of the stands- once contained a reflecting pool populated by mute swans! The historic Amphitheatre has long been- and continues to be- the site of the Toledo-tradition, Music under the Stars!
1937: AVIARY The Aviary was completed on May 31 as a home for birds from around the world. A unique feature of the exterior of this building actually came from local housewives. When word spread that builders were utilizing recycled materials, local housewives collected all of their unused small sample tiles from door-to-door salesmen and donated them to the Zoo. The tiles can still be seen along the top of the building in diamond and square designs.
1938: MUSEUM OF SCIENCE The Museum of Science opened May 29-30. The cornerstone of this building was laid in September of 1934 but an unfortunate series of events caused serious construction delays. This building boasts many handcrafted elements and local success stories, including slate slabs in the floor that were quarried from the
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Museum construction
bed of the Maumee River and polished to a sheen! Renovation of this building was completed in 2019 and after serving as administration offices for many years, once again displays exhibits featuring the uniqueness of the local area.
1939: AQUARIA The Aquarium, originally designed to be the back wall of the Amphitheatre, opened May 31. This was the last WPA project at the Zoo and the 30,000th one in Ohio! At the time it was built, this was the only public aquarium in Ohio and the largest freshwater Aquarium in the US. This building was renovated and reopened in 2015 as a state-of-the-art home to more than 3,000 sea creatures!
Our ZOOTeen of the Year joined the Program in May of 2016. He started out a little shy, but enthusiastic. Fast forward three years and now he’s vocal, confident and super enthusiastic. He has expressed that enthusiasm in so many ways and through so many activities, both on grounds and off-grounds, from education shifts to sturgeon releases, concerts and Sundae Funday, 30Hour Famines and 24-Hour Service Marathons, from river clean-ups and water sample testings, Josina Lott Game Nights and community parades, to Tent City to German American Fest. He has served on the Interview Team and as a BIG, helping to train new ZOOTeens. He also serves as an advocate, supporting his peers with developmental disabilities and helping them have the best possible
ZOOTeen experience. He was the Terracycle Chair in 2018, helping us collect, sort and process over 200,000 items, a record-setting feat at the time, but which already has been shattered this year! Currently, he serves as ZOOTeen President continuing his track record of responding to requests for help with his typical response, “I can do that!” He has a positive attitude, intense dedication and awesome parents who drive him down from Tecumseh like it’s a trip to the corner McDonald’s. As he heads into his final year as a ZOOTeen, he can look back at fond memories and warm friendships and we are honored to have been part of his journey. Let us all celebrate our ZOOTeen of the Year: Connor Enke.
MEMBER TIPS Membership Means More at Your Zoo! Don’t forget to take advantage of the following members-only offers…
2020 MEMBER BENEFITS
• 10% discount on food and beverage purchases (excludes alcohol & promotional items) • Unlimited Lights Before Christmas admission TOLEDOZOO.ORG/MEMBERSHIPMEANSMORE
MEMBERSHIP MEANS MORE MONTHLY PROMOTIONS October • 15% off all gift memberships • Free small fountain beverage with a purchase of a combo meal at Karoo Snack Stand November • 15% off at all Zoo gift shops December • $5 off a LBC Wild Pass • Free hot chocolate with purchase of specialty pastry at Carnivore Café window
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DECADES OF DEVOTION
LONG-TIME STAFF DAVID ROSS
Title: Zookeeper Years of Service: 38 “You name a mammal and I’ve worked with it! Throughout my 38 years here at Toledo Zoo, I have worked with everything from primates to big cats and great apes to koalas and pandas but I have spent the majority of my time with the elephants. As such, I have developed quite a special relationship with Renee, who has been here about the same amount of time. I have actually known Renee longer than I have known my wife! Renee came to
the Zoo in June of 1982 and I became a swing keeper in late August of 82. At that time, it was Renee and another female African elephant, Loren. We then added Rafiki in the mid-80s. For about 30 years of my career, we were allowed to go in and work with the elephants, unlike the protected contact we have today. With that close interaction, I was able to build a very special bond with Renee. Along with other elephant staff, in 1984 we trained Renee to go on a scale (donated by a local trucking company) as part of a research project on elephant nutrition. That was the first time we had accurate weights on such a large animal. Back then, we would
David and Renee, photo by Amy Arquette
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walk the elephants in a trunk to tail train though the Zoo from their yard to The Lodge and around the Zoo, just three elephants and one keeper leading and one trailing. I have a cute picture of a young Renee sitting on the side of the Lily Pond in the Gardens. Sometimes we even rode them and they were also part of the animal shows we used to put on in the Amphitheatre too. It was a much different time. I think Renee enjoyed the contact but we still have an awesome relationship now. I even have a painting in my living room I had made from a photograph of her!
Photo by Glenous Favata
Besides Renee, some other highlights of my career include working with the giant pandas when they were here in 88. They were so much fun! The whole experience was a once-in-a-lifetime thing… every moment from picking them up to dropping them back off at the airport. They were such a riot! The male had the best personality and loved to climb trees and bend the branches to get a better view of things. The crowds that they drew were amazing too, especially because it was hotter than all get out that summer. I also enjoyed being a part of moving the hippos from The Lodge to the new Hippoquarium. It was really neat, we put them both in trailers and drove them over to the new exhibit. I really liked training with the sea lions too. Once, I remember while we were moving them to a temporary holding, one named Torpedo decided to go ahead on his own while the Zoo was open! We had to scramble and get food to lead him back in the right direction. I have seen a lot of changes in my 38 years here. For so long, we had so many animals and so little staff, it was all we could do to just feed, water and clean each day. It is so much better for the animals now. We have the time and tools to train with them and provide enrichment, stimulation and so much more. I tried to retire, but it’s such a great opportunity that I am back working three days a week. I like still getting to hang around with Renee and give her treats each morning!”
GLENOUS FAVATA
Title: Mammal Keeper, Mammal Curator and Registrar Years of Service: 47 After working at the zoo for 47 years, there are so many wonderful memories I could go on and on and never list them all! I remember Monkey Mountain I and ll, the Animal Care Center, the old museum and Health Science Wing with Tam the transparent woman, the old elephant house (panda exhibit then Lodge, now barnyard), lion house (now Café) where I once hid after an escaped bull elk chased me through the Zoo, old polar bear exhibit (now Andean bear exhibit), the birth of four cheetah cubs in Cheetah Valley- they were the first born and mother raised in the western hemisphere... Wonder Valley, the original children’s zoo was my first zoo work experience with Galopy, the Galapagos tortoise. Over the years there were numerous baby elephants, baby bears and rabbits for the kids to pet and many may remember the Tiny Hurt Hospital nurse, Blandine McCarthy and Patrick Casey, the African grey parrot. Those were the good old days!
fortunate to be able to help with the hand rearing. Happy, the lowland gorilla born in 1969, was very special and we shared a close bond. She passed in 1994, after giving birth. Even to this day I keep track of her offspring and grandkids at other zoos, like Togo II, Kelele (now deceased), Leom, Kamina, Rubi and Azinza. As the zoo’s first official records keeper or registrar, I was able to chronicle the life history of tens of thousands of animals who lived or had lived at the Toledo Zoo, including Tuffy the tiger, Amber the elephant, Porta and Togo lowland gorillas, Maggie and Jiggs, orangutans, Ellie, Mickey, Fifi, Coco and Harvey, chimpanzees. The Zoo has grown, changed and accomplished a lot over the decades I worked there, from transformative exhibit design, state of the art husbandry and training, to significant conservation achievements, I am proud to have been a part of all that.
Back in the 1960s very few women worked in zoos. As the first female mammal keeper at the Toledo Zoo, I got to work with all the mammal species, but my main passion became the great apes, particularly the gorillas. When the mothers would not care for their offspring, I was
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Superb starling
SOME SMART SPECIES
animal memories
Orangutan
The old adage is “an elephant never forgets” but the question is how true is that? For a long time, science believed animals were stuck in time, with no concept of the past or future. That has since been proven untrue. We did some research and found out, as suspected, the memory capability of animals vary greatly depending on the species. Read on to find a few animal memory facts we hope you don’t forget! Most species of animals, except (or including some) humans, have bad short term memory. However, many have specialized memory, where they can store certain types of information for a very long time. For example, most animals can remember location of buried items, food sources and even individual animals.
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Different species and individual animals exhibit different levels of confidence in their memory knowledge too. Research has shown rodents replay previous action sequences in the hippocampus of their brain, think maze corners/patterns. It has also shown that rats have the ability to go back through their memory and recall a food that previously made them ill to avoid the toxic substance in the future.
autobiographical memory, as individual orangutans are able to remember specific events they did and are able to use that memory to help them solve problems. Certain species of birds are able to remember perishable food sources short term and non-perishable long-term.
Chimps, on the other hand, look at order of events and use logic to help fill in the blanks, like calculating distance or watching a zookeeper take a tray of grapefruit (a favorite treat) to their outdoor exhibit and then get excited when the keeper comes back in with an empty tray. The chimps have logically inferred the treats will be outside.
And back to those elephants, they do have an extensive memory and its benefits help them survive and thrive throughout their long lives. Research has proven elephants have remarkable recall power: they can remember individuals and faces of up to a group of 30, recall routes and alternate routes to food and water sources, remember droughts and what to do, recognize their reflection in a mirror and even pick out unfamiliar elephants and situations.
Orangutan memory goes a step further into what is called
Here’s to having a memory like an elephant!
LEAVING A MARK
LEGACY PROGRAM WITH TANA BENFORD, VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT AND MEMBERSHIP
Museum plant tag
WHAT IS THE ZOO'S LEGACY PROGRAM?
WHY DO PEOPLE CHOOSE TO DEDICATE?
The legacy program provides the opportunity to honor and recognize special people and special occasions. There are a variety of giving programs that donors can select based upon budget and Zoo affinity.
People choose to dedicate because they love the Zoo, or the person that they are honoring loves the Zoo. It is a great way to leave a mark for future generations to see. For example, purchasing a brick as a wedding gift – that couple can bring their children and grandchildren to the Zoo for years to come to see the brick. They may have met at the Zoo, had their first date at the Zoo, gotten engaged at the Zoo or even gotten married at the Zoo. It is a great way to recognize a happy occasion. Some other stories we have heard about legacy donations are a lady purchasing a Museum bench in honor of her grandfather who had an office in there as a maintenance employee or two ladies whose husbands met as ZOOTeens purchased a bench to celebrate their lifelong friendships and a starfish purchased by a couple for their young son who passed away before he could enjoy the Splash Padthis was their way for him to experience that joy.
HOW AND WHY DID IT GET STARTED? To my recollection, the program was started back in the late 1980s with the bricks that have been placed around the panda statues. At that same time, we began to offer Zoo benches for sponsorship and from there the program continued to grow.
HOW ARE PROGRAMS AND ITEMS CHOSEN TO BE PART OF THIS PROGRAM?
Tembo Trail elephant tiles
We look at areas that present an opportunity; for example, when a new building or exhibit is constructed or renovated. The donor fish in the Aquarium were a big hit. After being closed for nearly three years, supporters were excited to be a part of the new exhibit. People want to be a part of the Zoo -- leave their mark – and they enjoy bringing friends and family to sit on their bench or see their plaque.
WHAT ARE THE CURRENT ITEMS AVAILABLE TO DEDICATE? We have elephant tiles, star fish plaques, museum benches, barnyard benches and tiles, subway tiles, tree legacy plaques, glass sea jellies, plant tags and our tree of life donor board in the Museum.
WHY DO YOU RECOMMEND THIS PROGRAM AS A GIFT OR MEMORIAL? It is a unique gift, especially for the person who has everything. It is also wonderful for animal lovers and people that love the Zoo and have spent years visiting with family and friends. It is not one and done like a gift card, most legacy items are in place for decades for generations to enjoy.
HOW CAN PEOPLE PURCHASE AN ITEM? Visit toledozoo.org/donate or contact the Development team at 419-385-5721 ext. 2078.
Museum bench Memories
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OVER A CENTURY OF MEMORIES
TOLEDO ZOO TIMELINE 1900 Carl Hillebrand donates the first animal - a woodchuck – Toledo Zoo opens
1904 Conservatory built
1979 Original Kingdom of the Apes building dedicated on April 27
1982 Toledo Zoological Society takes ownership of the Zoo from city of Toledo
1913 Toledo Zoological Society founded 1916 Toledo Zoo reaches population of 471 animals 1923 Elephant house (now The Lodge) built 1927 Carnivora opens on Christmas Day 1934 Reptile House completed at a total cost $150,000 1935 Zoo boasts 485 reptiles representing 72 different species
1936 Amphitheatre opens July 16, Indoor Theatre opens in October
1937 Aviary opens May 31 1938 Museum opens May 29-30 1939 Aquarium opens May 31, originally designed to be the back wall of the Amphitheatre
1953 Animals at the Zoo: 3,537 1973 First chimpanzee born at the Zoo 1976 Accredited by Association of Zoos and Aquariums
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1983 Children’s Zoo opens on May 27 1986 Hippoquarium, first of its kind, opens & Lights Before Christmas exhibit begins with 70,000 lights
1987 Hippo Bubbles gives birth to Puddles, first time event observed and filmed underwater
1988 Giant Pandas– Le Le and Nan Nan- on loan from China on exhibit. In 100 days (spring, summer and fall), generates attendance of more than 1 million visitors
1993 Kingdom of the Apes renovation/expansion, Vet Hospital opens, Carnivore Café premieres and first re-introduction of an SSP (Virgin Islands Boa)
1994 DinoRoars! exhibit & Zoo Today television show premieres on Channel 11
1996 Zoo Snoozes begin 1997 Pedestrian Bridge over Anthony Wayne Trail, North Entry Complex, Visitor Services Building and NorthStar Gift Shop open
1998 The Lodge opens as event center, Primate Forest opens and first captive breeding and re-introduction of Karner Blue Butterfly
1999 Avian Breeding Center (ABC) opens & ZOOTeen Program begins
2000 Arctic Encounter opens & first Hippo Classic Zoo golf outing
2003 Louie, African elephant born & introduce Zoo mascots
2004 Africa! Exhibit opens & first Rock N Roar fundraiser
2005 Captive breeding of Mitchel’s Satyr Butterfly & first Dart Frog Dash fundraiser
2007 First Party for the Planet conservation event 2009 Nature’s Neighborhood debuts 2010 Solar Walk debuts 2011 Renovate Primate Forest and Lucas, African elephant, born
2012 Tembo Trail opens and reintroduce Kihansi Spray Toads to Tanzania
2013 Wild Walkabout: Baru and Ice Rink at Lights Before Christmas debuts
2014 Penguin Beach, Keet Retreat and Flamingo Key open and Voted Best Zoo in America by USA Today & Ice Slide premieres at Lights Before Christmas
2015 Aquarium reopens after renovation, Aquarium Adventure Trail/Splash Pad opens and arrival of rescued brown bears, red pandas and Tasmanian devils
2016 Aerial Adventure Course opens and Voted Best Zoo Lights by USA Today’s 10Best Contest
2017 Malawi Event Center (renovated Nairobi Pavillion) opens, Luminous Nights lantern festival and Wild about Art art fair events debut, arrival of rescued cougar cubs and koala, Louie transfers to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, Voted USA Today’s 10Best Contest: Best Zoo Lights 2nd year in a row
Sundae Funday new ice cream sampling event debuts.
2019 Cabin Fever Weekends new winter event, ProMedica Museum of Natural History (formerly Museum of Science) opens on May 31, Christmas in July event debuts, First Black Friday Membership Sale
2020 Orchid Show debuts, The Nancy L. & Martin Davidson Barnyard opens
2018 Historic Tunnel reopens, Say I Zoo Wedding Giveaway, Wild Wednesdays extended hours, first Lake Sturgeon rearing and public release,
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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Toledo, OH Permit No. 707
P.O. Box 140130 • Toledo, OH 43614-0130 Current Hours of Operation October 1 - November 19 Monday | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., exit by 2 p.m. Tuesday | Closed for deep cleaning Wednesday - Sunday | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Lights Before Christmas Hours: November 20 - December 31 Sun -Thu 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. | Lights Before Christmas activities Fri & Sat 3 p.m. - 9 p.m. | Lights Before Christmas activities
The Zoo remains open for one additional hour after gates close to allow visitors to complete their visit. However, some animals may be off exhibit during the last hour. Please note that the Zoo will only be open during Lights Before Christmas hours beginning at 3 p.m. daily, seven days a week, beginning November 20.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Events subject to change.
NOVEMBER 11/1 Slow Brew at the Zoo toledozoo.org/slowbrew 11/3 Camp for a Day toledozoo.org/camps 11/19 Brewdolph Bash - Adult Night toledozoo.org/lights
NOV. 20 – DEC. 31
11/20 Lights Before Christmas presented by KeyBank Tree Lighting / Opening Night toledozoo.org/lights
11/26 Thanksgiving Day Lights open 3 – 8 p.m.
DECEMBER Through 12/31 Lights Before Christmas presented by KeyBank toledozoo.org/lights Weds Ice Carvings toledozoo.org/lights 12/2 YPAC Holiday Howler toledozoo.org/ypac 12/13 Polar Paws 5k presented by Buckeye Broadband
12/24 Christmas Eve Lights open 3 – 8 p.m. 12/25 Christmas Day Lights open 3 – 9 p.m. 12/28 - 12/30 Winter Day Camps toledozoo.org/camps 12/31 Noon Year's Eve 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 12/31 New Year's Eve Zoo open 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Last night of Lights!
toledozoo.org/polarpaws
For more information about these and other events, visit toledozoo.org/events