BREW AT THE ZOO IS BACK!
Your favorite Zoo event, Brew at the Zoo Presented by Kendall Construction is back! Try tons of local and domestic beers while partying like an animal with music, games, food trucks, and fun animal encounters! Save the planet: save water, drink beer! This fundraiser helps support Topeka Zoo conservation and education initiatives.
GLOBAL TIGER DAY
Come visit us on July 26th from 9am to 3pm to celebrate Global Tiger Day as part of your regular admission to the zoo!
TIGER TRAILS & DEN ACADEMY
Tiger Trails & Den Academy offers an immersive experience that brings guests closer to Sumatran tigers and King Vultures while inspiring future conservation leaders. The Den Academy engages children in hands-on STEM learning, teaching them about wildlife conservation and the challenges tigers face. Through interactive activities, kids develop empathy and a deeper understanding of conservation, empowering them to take action. This initiative is a vital step in nurturing the next generation of wildlife advocates. Join us in making this vision a reality!
SUMMER NIGHTS
Experience the Topeka Zoo like never before with our returning exclusive "Summer Nights Program".
Enjoy a unique evening tour to explore the zoo's exhibits after hours. This perfect family-friendly outing offers a unique and intimate look at our amazing animals and exhibits, culminating in the final night on September 18th. GET TICKETS
Wrapping up our Keeper Highlights with Keeper Kayleigh!
Kayleigh is one of our Relief Keepers - meaning she works in multiple ranges of the Zoo, covering when ‘primary’ keepers are on weekends or when a range needs extra assistance. Kayleigh mostly works as a relief for our Small Vertebrates & Liana’s Forest teams, although she’s also trained to help with carnivores!
In short - Relief Keepers like Kayleigh make it possible for other Keepers (some of which we’ve highlighted!) to take much deserved breaks and vacations. Kayleigh is very adaptable and her reliability keeps the ranges she covers functional.
We asked Kayleigh what inspired her to become a zookeeper and her answer was simply a name well-known to us all- Jane Goodall. It’s very fitting that Kayleigh has connected with our Patas monkeys (especially male Harry) and the Bornean orangutans.
Thank you Kayleigh for all of your assistance & support!
#NZKW #ZKAW #NZKW2025 #topekazoo
Kayleigh is one of our Relief Keepers - meaning she works in multiple ranges of the Zoo, covering when ‘primary’ keepers are on weekends or when a range needs extra assistance. Kayleigh mostly works as a relief for our Small Vertebrates & Liana’s Forest teams, although she’s also trained to help with carnivores!
In short - Relief Keepers like Kayleigh make it possible for other Keepers (some of which we’ve highlighted!) to take much deserved breaks and vacations. Kayleigh is very adaptable and her reliability keeps the ranges she covers functional.
We asked Kayleigh what inspired her to become a zookeeper and her answer was simply a name well-known to us all- Jane Goodall. It’s very fitting that Kayleigh has connected with our Patas monkeys (especially male Harry) and the Bornean orangutans.
Thank you Kayleigh for all of your assistance & support!
#NZKW #ZKAW #NZKW2025 #topekazoo
Technically, National Keeper Week is over… but our appreciation hasn’t stopped! 💙
We still have a few keeper highlights left- next up is Keeper Chelsea, one of our superstars of the Adventure Trail area. Chelsea brings with her a lot of charisma, dedication, and passion to our petting zoo & lorikeet aviary!
Some of Chelsea’s accomplishments include:
🌟 Getting the goats comfortable with using their new crossing bridge - a few of our goats are still working on this!
🌟 Training our Black footed ferret (and more of our lorikeets!) to step on the scale for weighing
🌟 Continuing to build trust with 29-year-old llama, Gertie & helping with her recent hoof trim!
People who work mostly around animals can be (more than) a bit socially awkward & quiet- Chelsea is refreshingly VERY outgoing, and always there for a chat when you need. Thank you, Chelsea, for all the laughs and hard work you contribute to the team each day. ❤️
#NZKW #NZKW2025 #ZKAW #zookeeperappreciation #zookeeper
We still have a few keeper highlights left- next up is Keeper Chelsea, one of our superstars of the Adventure Trail area. Chelsea brings with her a lot of charisma, dedication, and passion to our petting zoo & lorikeet aviary!
Some of Chelsea’s accomplishments include:
🌟 Getting the goats comfortable with using their new crossing bridge - a few of our goats are still working on this!
🌟 Training our Black footed ferret (and more of our lorikeets!) to step on the scale for weighing
🌟 Continuing to build trust with 29-year-old llama, Gertie & helping with her recent hoof trim!
People who work mostly around animals can be (more than) a bit socially awkward & quiet- Chelsea is refreshingly VERY outgoing, and always there for a chat when you need. Thank you, Chelsea, for all the laughs and hard work you contribute to the team each day. ❤️
#NZKW #NZKW2025 #ZKAW #zookeeperappreciation #zookeeper
Caring for tiny critters takes a big heart- so we’re here to highlight Keeper Caroline! 🐛❤️
Caroline works tirelessly behind the scenes of our tropical rainforest dome and bug zoo - pouring her heart that’s the size of her home state (Texas) into each creature that’s in her care. These include animals that many others find ‘unlovable’ - hissing cockroaches, tarantulas, and scorpions to name a few. Caroline has done a fantastic job revamping many of the bug zoo exhibits, chatting with guests, and turning around the stigmas against our insect & arachnid friends!
🌟 She’s also completing her dream of being a hands-on conservationist. This year, Caroline aided in housing Salt Creek Tiger Beetle (an incredibly rare species of beetle endemic to Salt Creek, Nebraska) until they were ready to be transported & released - which she also helped with! This is a collaborative effort with multiple organizations in Nebraska.
🌟 She also aids in conservation of endangered species through zoo populations- such as helping to care for the newborn critically endangered Golden Lion Tamarins. We also recently transferred a critically endangered Bali mynah (that was born & reared here behind the scenes) to a new facility- he now has a new home with breeding recommendations, and his transfer had minimum stress thanks to Caroline’s work and preparation!
Keep up the good work, Caroline- we can’t wait to keep supporting your journey in conservation! 🪲
#NZKW #ZKAW #NZKW2025 #zookeeperappreciationweek
Caroline works tirelessly behind the scenes of our tropical rainforest dome and bug zoo - pouring her heart that’s the size of her home state (Texas) into each creature that’s in her care. These include animals that many others find ‘unlovable’ - hissing cockroaches, tarantulas, and scorpions to name a few. Caroline has done a fantastic job revamping many of the bug zoo exhibits, chatting with guests, and turning around the stigmas against our insect & arachnid friends!
🌟 She’s also completing her dream of being a hands-on conservationist. This year, Caroline aided in housing Salt Creek Tiger Beetle (an incredibly rare species of beetle endemic to Salt Creek, Nebraska) until they were ready to be transported & released - which she also helped with! This is a collaborative effort with multiple organizations in Nebraska.
🌟 She also aids in conservation of endangered species through zoo populations- such as helping to care for the newborn critically endangered Golden Lion Tamarins. We also recently transferred a critically endangered Bali mynah (that was born & reared here behind the scenes) to a new facility- he now has a new home with breeding recommendations, and his transfer had minimum stress thanks to Caroline’s work and preparation!
Keep up the good work, Caroline- we can’t wait to keep supporting your journey in conservation! 🪲
#NZKW #ZKAW #NZKW2025 #zookeeperappreciationweek
Life is ele-fun with you, Keeper Shannon! 🐘🦒
Unapologetically highlighting more of the work our fabulous elephant & hoof stock team members put in for National Keeper Week.
Keeper Shannon is integral to the team that provides top-knotch care to our two geriatric elephants. This includes chipping hay & prepping special diets for toothless 66 year-old Asian elephant Cora, learning the skills to give podiatry and other medical treatments, and innovating enrichment to keep the girls physically & mentally active - all while keeping their age and everyone’s safety in mind. Oh, and not to mention cleaning up their barn stalls and yard each day. 😮💨
If that wasn’t enough to convince you Shannon is a hard-worker, she also has made accomplishments in hoof care. Ever-so-independent giraffe Liz was in desperate need of a hoof trim, so Shannon put in the dedication and patience of reshaping Liz’s behavior. Liz now voluntarily allows the hoof stock team to give her the ‘pedicures’ she deserves, and her hooves thank her & Shannon for it. 💅👑
#NZKW #NZKW2025 #zookeeper #zookeeperappreciationweek #ZKAW
Unapologetically highlighting more of the work our fabulous elephant & hoof stock team members put in for National Keeper Week.
Keeper Shannon is integral to the team that provides top-knotch care to our two geriatric elephants. This includes chipping hay & prepping special diets for toothless 66 year-old Asian elephant Cora, learning the skills to give podiatry and other medical treatments, and innovating enrichment to keep the girls physically & mentally active - all while keeping their age and everyone’s safety in mind. Oh, and not to mention cleaning up their barn stalls and yard each day. 😮💨
If that wasn’t enough to convince you Shannon is a hard-worker, she also has made accomplishments in hoof care. Ever-so-independent giraffe Liz was in desperate need of a hoof trim, so Shannon put in the dedication and patience of reshaping Liz’s behavior. Liz now voluntarily allows the hoof stock team to give her the ‘pedicures’ she deserves, and her hooves thank her & Shannon for it. 💅👑
#NZKW #NZKW2025 #zookeeper #zookeeperappreciationweek #ZKAW
Continuing to highlight AMAZING hoof stock staff with Keeper Ericka! 🐘🦒
Since her internship in fall of 2023, Ericka has made serious strides in her career - like getting a full-time position working with hoof stock, checking off the training necessary to be a part of the elephant care team, and building her skills in giraffe training & husbandry.
Some examples:
🌟 Working with Sarge (giraffe) to build his confidence - he now is more willing to participate in public feedings and is exploring more spaces
🌟Getting Sarge to successfully participate in receiving cold laser therapy
🌟Being able to ask African elephant Tembo for the 'step-up' behavior (this takes energy for an older gal like Tembo, so she only does it for staff she has a bond with!)
Ericka's love for animals, like many keepers, runs in the family! "My uncle has been in the zookeeping field for as long as I’ve been alive and he’s been my biggest inspiration for joining the field (besides loving animals)."
Thank you, Ericka, for all the hard work and the genuine smiles you bring every day! 🐘
#NZKW #NZKW2025 #zookeeperappreciation #keeperappreciationweek #ZKAW
Since her internship in fall of 2023, Ericka has made serious strides in her career - like getting a full-time position working with hoof stock, checking off the training necessary to be a part of the elephant care team, and building her skills in giraffe training & husbandry.
Some examples:
🌟 Working with Sarge (giraffe) to build his confidence - he now is more willing to participate in public feedings and is exploring more spaces
🌟Getting Sarge to successfully participate in receiving cold laser therapy
🌟Being able to ask African elephant Tembo for the 'step-up' behavior (this takes energy for an older gal like Tembo, so she only does it for staff she has a bond with!)
Ericka's love for animals, like many keepers, runs in the family! "My uncle has been in the zookeeping field for as long as I’ve been alive and he’s been my biggest inspiration for joining the field (besides loving animals)."
Thank you, Ericka, for all the hard work and the genuine smiles you bring every day! 🐘
#NZKW #NZKW2025 #zookeeperappreciation #keeperappreciationweek #ZKAW
Find someone that looks at you the way Keeper Amber looks at the animals in her care. 😍🦒
The next Keeper Highlight for National Keeper Week goes to Amber, who is a tremendous help on the hoof stock team as well as in the rainforest dome! Amber brings a LOT to the table with her knowledge, strength, and attention to detail.
One of Amber’s favorite animals to work with is giraffe Liz! Some recent accomplishments with Liz include:
🌟🦒 Training Liz to stand comfortably in the GRD (a ‘squeeze’/ holding stall that keeps the giraffe still & everyone safe during medical care procedures)
🌟🦒 Teaching Liz to stand in different positions for x-rays on her legs
🦆 Whistling duck Penelope & Red the red-foot tortoise also have very special places in Amber’s heart.🐢
Amber grew up going to Knoxville Zoo and aquariums all along the east coast. She got her first official keeper position HERE though, and here we are three years later! 🩷🦒
#NZKW #NZKW2025 #zookeeperappreciationweek #zookeeper #topekazoo
The next Keeper Highlight for National Keeper Week goes to Amber, who is a tremendous help on the hoof stock team as well as in the rainforest dome! Amber brings a LOT to the table with her knowledge, strength, and attention to detail.
One of Amber’s favorite animals to work with is giraffe Liz! Some recent accomplishments with Liz include:
🌟🦒 Training Liz to stand comfortably in the GRD (a ‘squeeze’/ holding stall that keeps the giraffe still & everyone safe during medical care procedures)
🌟🦒 Teaching Liz to stand in different positions for x-rays on her legs
🦆 Whistling duck Penelope & Red the red-foot tortoise also have very special places in Amber’s heart.🐢
Amber grew up going to Knoxville Zoo and aquariums all along the east coast. She got her first official keeper position HERE though, and here we are three years later! 🩷🦒
#NZKW #NZKW2025 #zookeeperappreciationweek #zookeeper #topekazoo
See news on our facebook page here.
2025 DATES
•Membership Only Events are in orange.
FREE DAYS:
- July 18th- 5pm-8pm.
- August 30th from 9am-3pm
January
- The zoo is open! 9:00 am - 5:00 pm with last admission at 4:30 pm
- Spring break camp enrollment opens - 20th
February
- The zoo is open!
- Friends Giving Society Brunch: Saturday, February 22
March
- Annual meeting for members - March 8th The meeting is in the Kay's Garden venue. We will meet at 1:00pm. Members can enter through the turtle gate to have direct access to the venue.
- Spring break camp March - 10-14
- Docent training March - 19-22
- World Water Day - March 22
- Members Only Giraffe feeding: Saturday, March 8 (1:30 p.m.)
- Wake & Learn- Animal Personalities at the Zoo: Friday, March 21 (8 – 9 a.m.)
April
- Kansas Ballet Performance - April 4-6
- Eggstravaganza - April 12
- Earth Day - April 19
- Roar and Pour - April 26
May
- KS Safe Kids - May 3
- Pollinator Palooza- Wildflower sale - May 10
- Endangered Species Day - May 17
- World Turtle Day - May 24
- Membership drive month – offer 10% off for new memberships
- Member Preview for Dinosaurs Alive! – Friday, May 23 (5:30 – 7:30 p.m.)
- Wake & Learn - Dinos and their Topeka Zoo Relatives: Thursday, May 29 (8 – 9 a.m.)
June
- Oceans Day - June 7
- Rainforests Awareness Day - June 14
- Joel Sartore/Tiger Fundraiser - Day presentation + Evening Event - June 14
- Giraffe Day - June 21
- Member Morning – Saturday, June 14 (Gates open for members at 8 a.m.)
- Member Morning – Saturday, June 28 (Gates open for members at 8 a.m.)
July
- Global Tiger Day - July 26th
- Member Morning – Saturday, July 12 (Gates open for members at 8 a.m.)
- Member Morning – Saturday, July 26 (Gates open for members at 8 a.m.)
- Member Appreciation Night – Thursday, July 31 (5 – 7:30 p.m.)
August
- World Lion Day - Aug 2
- World Elephant Day - Aug 9
- World Orangutan Day - Aug 16
- World Painted Dog Day - Aug 23
- Gage Park Founder's Fest - Aug 30*
*Admission free with suggested non perishable food item. First 500 guests are sponsored by Kansas Gas Service. - Ballet Midwest - Wildly Creative Event - Aug 30
- Wake & Learn: Growing Green in the Heart of the Zoo: Saturday, August 9 (8 – 9 a.m.)
September
- Brew at the Zoo - Sept 13
- World Rivers Day - Sept 20
- Member pricing for Zoo Lights (discount codes will be emailed to members)
October
- Chalktoberfest Event - Oct 11
- Chalk and Cheers - Oct 11 at 6 p.m.
- Boo at the Zoo - Oct - 18
- Boo at the zoo - Oct -25
- Boo at the Zoo (Member Only Lane) – Saturday, October 18 (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
- Boo at the Zoo: (Member Only Lane) – Saturday, October 25 (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
November
- Zoo Lights Begins - Nov 20
- Wake & Learn – Behind the Scenes of Zoo Lights: Tuesday, November 11 (8 a.m. – 9 a.m.)
- Member pricing for Zoo Lights (discount codes will be emailed to members)
December
- Cookies with Claus - Dec 6
- Zoo Lights Closes - Dec 28
- Member pricing for Zoo Lights (discount codes will be emailed to members)
- Cookies with Claus (Member Discount): Saturday, December 6 (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
- Gift Membership Drive – Purchase the gift of year-round Zoo Membership!
Our Mission is to enrich our community through wildlife conservation and education.
BE THE DIFFERENCE.
When you become a business partner, you become a huge part of the success of the zoo AND the community! Join us today!