Akron Zoo

03/10/2022

Want to work somewhere you will be ape-reciated? The Akron Zoo is now hiring! To be considered for an interview, complete our pre-screening survey at https://www.akronzoo.org/employment.

Seasonal positions are available in our Guest Services (food service, guest experiences, gift shop), Custodial and Education teams. All jobs run April - Dec. 31. Benefits include 40% off food purchased while working, flexible schedules (with at least one weekend day required) and the chance to make a real-world difference.

You must be 16 years or older (18 years for custodial) to work at the Akron Zoo. The Akron Zoo is an EOE and a drug-free workplace.

03/10/2022

What do you want to be when you grow up? Once you hit high school, that question becomes more serious. We're here to help with the answers!

If you know a high schooler, grades 9-12, that is interested in working with animals, becoming a veterinarian or other zoo-related jobs, sign up now for our Zoorific Career Day! The next program for grades 9-12 is Sunday, March 20 from 12:30 - 3 p.m. Space is limited, so register now: https://www.akronzoo.org/career-days.

During the afternoon, students will explore different zoo careers and hear from zoo professionals, go on a zoo tour and enjoy up-close animal encounters!

03/09/2022

Your Akron Zoo is partnering with Akron Children's Museum to offer one of the museum’s popular exhibits, Mini Monster Course, here at the Akron Zoo for a limited time. The Mini Monster Course is available now through Friday, March 25 in our Komodo Kingdom building.

The Mini Monster Course is a child-friendly obstacle course that includes a tunnel, balance beam, stair steps, stepping stones and more. There are two courses, one for toddlers, ages 1-3, and another for kids, ages 4-12.

Through March 25, Akron Zoo members will receive buy-one-get-one free admission into the Akron Children’s Museum. In return, Akron Children’s Museum members will receive free admission into the Akron Zoo.

Akron Children’s Museum Mini Monster Course at the Akron Zoo is presented by Robert O. and Annamae Orr Family Foundation.

03/08/2022

Our staff rocked their orange during Inclusion Days over the last few days to show support for our friends at Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board during National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. #includeME #akronzooinclusion

03/08/2022

It was Maya Angelou who said "Each time a woman stands up for herself without claiming it, possibly without knowing it, she stands up for all women."

Today, to celebrate International Women's Day, we would like to highlight some of the women throughout the history of the Akron Zoo who stood up for themselves and helped to pave the way for more women to become champions of our natural world!

In 1974, a group of 26 women formed a volunteer organization known as the Akron Zoo Women's Board. Led by Board President Dolly DeYoung, this group coordinated fundraising efforts which helped to finance zoo operations, make capital improvements and even construct new habitats. Fundraisers included events, photo contests, poster contests and an annual birdseed sale. The women's board was also responsible for founding the EdZOOcators, an education volunteer program which today is the zoo's most active adult volunteer group with nearly 150 members. Pictured are two of our current volunteers, Whilma and Marilynn.

Patricia Simmons was hired by the zoo in 1983 as the new Director of Development and Administration. Two years later she was promoted to Executive Director before becoming the zoo's first female President and CEO. During her tenure, Simmons oversaw staff, planning, finances and general operations of the zoo, including the implementation of a 14-year master plan and the construction of more than 30 new habitats. She also served as an Akron Zoo representative to many local and national organizations, including the The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Leadership Akron, Women's Network (1993 Woman of the Year), Akron Rotary and Summit County Social Services Advisory Council. She was named one of the 100 Outstanding Women of Summit County by the YWCA in 2001, in addition to several other awards and recognitions. Simmons left the Akron Zoo in late 2014 to become the Executive Director of the North Carolina Zoo, where she continues to be an inspiration to women in the field of animal care and conservation.

Michelle Santana has long been a strong female voice in the community, having held positions as CFO for Signet Jewelers, CFO for Majestic Steel and currently CFO of Bedrock Manufacturing Co. Santana has also been a member of the Akron Zoo's Board of Directors since 2015, where she served on the executive committee and capital campaigns committee. In 2020, in recognition of her leadership expertise and dedication to connecting the community with wildlife while inspiring lifelong learning and conservation action, Santana was elected to the board's top position. She is the first woman to hold this position in the board's history. Santana continues to be an inspiration to ambitious women who desire to improve our local community.

03/07/2022

Only a few spots remain for our Spring Break Adventure on March 28-April 1. This brand-new program offers a full week full of camp fun for kids ages 6 - 12. Register now for one of the final spots: https://www.akronzoo.org/education-adventures

During this week of springtime fun, your child will enjoy crafts, Games, animal experiences, zoo tours and more! The theme for the week is "Ohana," which means family in Hawaiian.

03/06/2022

March Madness is approaching, and that means it's time to decide who is the top animal at the Akron Zoo for 2022! Over the next several weeks, you'll vote which animal advances to the next level until there is only one animal left standing.

Want to play along? Fill out the bracket below and share with us by Saturday, March 12 at 5 p.m. Those who fill out the bracket correctly will be entered in a raffle to win a themed animal gift basket!

This year's competitors are: Java - one of our male pygmy goats, Dominic - our mountain chick frog, Clawdia - our blue lobster, Stratton - our male river otter, Luca - our male Andean condor chick, Thistle - our tenrec animal ambassadors, Diburu - our female Sumatran tiger and Parker - our female white-cheeked gibbon.

May the best animal win!

03/05/2022

It's National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! To spread the message of inclusion, we called on our good friend Rose the tarantula, who is more than just your average arachnid - she is a seven-legged spider.

During her molting season a few years ago, Rose self-amputated one of her legs. However, her different abilities make her a unique member of the Akron Zoo family, and she continues to teach visitors about diversity and inclusion as part of our animal ambassador team! She is a great example of how animals and people of all abilities belong at your Akron Zoo!

The Akron Zoo is partnering with Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board to present Inclusion Days. Guests wearing orange on March 5-7 will receive free admission to the Akron Zoo from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.! Learn more about this event at https://www.akronzoo.org/inclusion-day.

03/04/2022

The zoo is still looking for teen volunteers who want to make a real world difference this summer! The Jr. Interpreter program is open to enthusiastic teens ages 14 to 18 who love people, nature, animals and conservation. This is a fun way to spend the summer, and it looks great on college applications!

No experience is required and training will be provided. Applications are due March 15. For more details or to apply, visit https://www.akronzoo.org/volunteer

03/04/2022

We have another new species to introduce - white-naped cranes! Meet Khing and Yena, a brother and sister pair who moved here from Woodland Park Zoo.

Khing, the male, hatched on July 9, 2019. His name (pronounced like king) came from the Khingan Nature Reserve, which is a protected crane nesting site in the Amur River region of Russia. His sister, Yena, hatched a day later on July 20. Her name (pronounced yay-nuh) is a Korean name that means “peace.” White-naped cranes are a symbol of peace in Korea.

You can tell the two apart by their leg bands – Khing has a band on his right leg and Yena has a band on her left.

White-naped cranes are native to parts of Asia, including Korea, Japan, China and Russia. They are classified as vulnerable to extinction due to pollution, habitat loss and illegal hunting.

These birds are residing in the habitat next door to the snow leopard. This habitat was formerly the Himalayan tahr habitat prior to the passing of tahr Amanda last summer.

03/03/2022

I camp believe you're not registered for ZooCamp yet! Spots fill up quickly, so register now: https://www.akronzoo.org/zoo-camp

Don't miss your chance to participate in the wildest summer programs around! Camps include a t-shirt, a tour of the zoo, crafts, activities, animal encounters and more. ZooCamp is open to kids ages 6 to 12, and Family Camp is available for everyone 3 and older. There are also limited spaces available in our Junior Zookeeper program for teens ages 13 to 16. We can't wait to see you there!

03/02/2022

Wear orange to the zoo and get free admission for the day during Inclusion Days on Saturday, March 5 - Monday, March 7. Inclusion Days are in partnership with Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board to celebrate National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Learn more at: https://www.akronzoo.org/inclusion-day.

03/01/2022

Tickets are now on sale for the Akron Zoo's Egg-stra Wild Egg Hunt on April 2, 3, 9, 10, or 16 from 8:30 to 10 a.m.!

Don't miss this egg-cellent opportunity to celebrate Easter with the family! Purchase your tickets at https://www.akronzoo.org/egg-stra-wild-egg-hunt. Space is limited, so hop to it!

During the event, guests will have the opportunity to take a photo with the Easter Bunny, make a craft and participate in an egg hunt of wild proportions! All children will receive a bag of goodies - regardless of how many eggs they find! Tickets also include admission to the zoo after the event.

02/28/2022

We are introducing a new species to your Akron Zoo! Meet our tufted deer, Norman and Ellie! These two are moving into the habitat next door to the flamingos.

Male Norman (pictured left) was born at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo on Oct. 31, 2020. Female Ellie (pictured right) moved here from Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. She was born at the Prospect Park Zoo on July 19, 2011.

Norman and Ellie have a breeding recommendation from the Tufted Deer Species Survival Plan (SSP). Tufted deer are classified as near threatened in their native habitat of southern China, Myanmar (Burma) and Tibet.

📸: Keeper Angela

02/26/2022

Inclusion Days at the Akron Zoo are Saturday, March 5 - Monday, March 7, in partnership with Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board. Wear orange to the zoo and get free admission for the day! Learn more at: https://www.akronzoo.org/inclusion-day.

02/25/2022

The Young and the Flightless Episode 4

Everyone loves a good nap, but some of our penguins take napping to the next level! On Episode 4 of The Young and the Flightless, Keeper Vicky shares about the penguins who love to "pool nap" and who all happen to be siblings!

The Young and the Flightless is a soap opera-style web series about the tales of the Akron Zoo penguin colony. In this series, penguin keeper, Vicky, will share dramatic true stories from the penguins over the years! Catch up on past episodes at https://bit.ly/YoungFlightless