Philadelphia Zoo

Last night, at A Wilder Future: Philadelphia Zoo Gala, we celebrated our first-ever Lifetime Achievement Awardee, and board member for more than 35 years, Joanna McNeil Lewis. Through her decades of leadership, the Zoo has continued to advance what it means to be a thriving urban Zoo, with the conception of the Zoo360 trails, the advancement of educational programs, and the creation of the Zoo's dazzling holiday light spectacular, LumiNature. Jody leads with both strength and authenticity, combining vision with action in a way that inspires those around her. We thank her for all she's done and will continue to do for our organization. A special thank you to our donors and sponsors who supported A Wilder Future this year!

Please join us Tuesday, September 30, for “A Wilder Future: Philadelphia Zoo’s Gala.” This signature fundraiser features moving programming and live animal engagement with a focus on how the Zoo educates the next generation of conservation leaders. At this event, we will be honoring Philadelphia Zoo’s first-ever Lifetime Achievement Awardee. New for this year, we are offering tickets just for Grazing Hour (hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, 5:00 – 6:30pm only). Learn more and join us for an unforgettable event: https://bit.ly/4prlHZA

We are absolutely thrilled to announce the hatching of NINE more critically endangered Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises, bringing the total up to 16! 🤯 These nine hatchlings—six males and three females—are the second ever clutch of this species to hatch in Philadelphia Zoo's history. These offspring join seven others that hatched earlier this year and made Mommy the oldest first-time mom of her species. Mommy and their dad, Abrazzo, are both nearly 100 years old! The hatchlings are spending time in their habitat inside the Reptile and Amphibian House, in their outdoor habitat near the building, and behind the scenes. In celebration and support of animal care and conservation, we're offering supporters a chance to name one of the nine male tortoises. For every $25 donation made to this campaign between today, August 20, and Wednesday, August 27 at 11:59 PM, you'll receive one entry to win. All funds raised will benefit the Zoo’s conservation efforts. This is your chance to name one of these history-making babies that could live over 100 years! Learn more here: https://bit.ly/431GUQI

We're excited to announce TWO new additions to our big cat family!! 🐅🐆 Meet Rafferty the male Amur leopard and Rory the female Amur tiger! Both arrived at the Zoo in early summer on an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding recommendation and are now visible to guests inside their habitats at Big Cat Falls! 😺 Rafferty: He was born at Utah's Hogle Zoo on February 17, 2017. His name means "one who possesses prosperity." He previously sired offspring at Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York in 2019 which is where he was before coming to Philadelphia Zoo. Amur leopards are the rarest mammal species at the Zoo and are critically endangered with less than 150 in the wild. 😺 Rory: She was born at Toledo Zoo on July 20, 2021. The public voted to choose her name, and donations to name her and her twin Alexei went to tiger conservation efforts. At four years old, she is considered fully grown but will likely fill out a bit more. She weighs almost 300 pounds. She also has the longest whiskers than any other tiger at Philly Zoo! Amur tigers are endangered with less than 500 in the wild. Gives them both a warm welcome and make sure to stop by and visit! 💕 Learn more: https://bit.ly/4fmF2Xz

The WILDEST beer festival in Philly returns to Philadelphia Zoo Saturday, July 19, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (or have the doors open just for you at 6:00 p.m. with an Early Access ticket!) Join us this year and discover 👇 🍻 Unlimited samples of 120+ beers, ciders, hard seltzers iced teas! 🥓 10 local food trucks ranging from loaded mac and cheese, empanadas, classic Philly cheesesteaks and more! 🎸 Live music on Impala Stage from Ridge Runners, Kind Hearted Strangers, Nik Greeley and the Operators 🦁 Our award-winning animal exhibits including Big Cat Falls, African Plains and PECO Primate Reserve. 🌺 Don't forget to snap a selfie with one of our stunning ZOOtopiaries—living plant sculptures! Event info & tickets: https://bit.ly/4bByIZ8

In 2022, we partnered with Mural Arts to create new paintings along the 34th Street Bridge and Zoological Drive. This week, we officially dedicated the murals and unveiled new artwork that will hang along 34th Street that highlights our conservation work. Spearheaded by lead artists Eurhi Jones and Dave McShane, the designs were chosen by the surrounding neighborhoods and use jubilant colors to showcase a future where people and wildlife thrive together. A special thanks to Philadelphia Zoo President and CEO, Jo-Elle Mogerman, Philadelphia Zoo Board Member, Cackie Rodgers, Mural Arts Founder and Executive Director, Jane Golden, Chief of Staff of at the Office of City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, Mariya Khandros, Mantua Civic Association President, De'Wayne Drummond, and Mural Arts lead artists, Eurhi Jones and Dave McShane. Mural by the numbers 📏 Total running length: 1,516 feet 🟦 Total square footage: 9,673 square feet 🎨 Supplies needed: 40 gallons of primer + 49 gallons of paint + 64 gallons of sealer and UV-protectant varnish = 153 gallons of materials needed 🐢 Number of animals featured in all the mural designs: 222 🧍 Number of Humans featured in all the mural designs: 55 🖌️3 Community Paint Day Events at the Zoo with ~60 participants

Today, the Zoo announced and celebrated the winners of the 14th UNLESS Contest! This contest challenges students from across the region to participate in a year-long class project focused on conservation. The students created compelling advocacy campaigns and developed innovative solutions to make impactful changes on behalf of wildlife and habitats. More than 800 students in grades K-12 from 37 classes submitted final projects in this year’s contest. Together, they directly impacted well over 1.5 million people, advocated to protect over 30 different local species, and partnered with 20 conservation and sustainability organizations. This year, students have continued to make a difference by connecting with local government officials, designing digital libraries, building habitats out of recycled materials, and engaging with their schools and community to make changes to protect the planet. Since its inception, the UNLESS contest has engaged thousands of students from more than 450 schools throughout the Delaware Valley region as part of this initiative to create awareness and actions for animals.

Check it out! Our President & CEO Jo-Elle Mogerman spoke with Zoo Logic host Dr. Grey Stafford about her background and the work that led her to become the first woman and first African American to lead America's first zoo. She also discusses the people side of the preservation equation and how she connects with diverse audiences through conservation and education. Listen here: https://spoti.fi/435Z6rc

Give a warm welcome to Galapagos tortoise Mommy's four baby girls who just debuted publicly today! Mommy the Galapagos tortoise’s four baby girls have just made their public debut inside the Reptile and Amphibian House in honor of today marking 93 years of Mommy calling the Philadelphia Zoo home. On your next visit make sure to swing by, say hello, and witness a small but mighty moment in history! These newest additions represent a new genetic lineage and some much-needed help to the population of this critically endangered species in human care. You can help us name our tortoise quartet by voting at the link below! https://lnkd.in/gBNBQxNN

Something incredible is happening at Philadelphia Zoo! We're overjoyed to announce the hatching of four critically endangered Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises for the first time in the Zoo’s 150+ year history! 🎉🎉 The babies' parents, Mommy and Abrazzo, are the Zoo’s two oldest residents, each estimated to be around 100 years old. Mommy (who has lived at the Zoo since 1932) is considered one of the most genetically valuable Galapagos tortoises in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan. And... she's now the oldest first-time mom of her species!! 🐢 The hatchlings are currently behind-the-scenes inside the Reptile and Amphibian House and are eating and growing appropriately. The animal care team is also still monitoring more eggs that could hatch in the coming weeks. The babies will make their public debut on Wednesday, April 23, which is the 93rd anniversary of Mommy’s arrival at the Zoo. Stay tuned for details on their debut and for the chance to help the Zoo name them! Want to know more? Head over to our blog 👉 https://bit.ly/4jfaiZa