Topeka Zoo

08/04/2026

Silent. Powerful. Built to Hunt. 🦉

The Eurasian Eagle-Owl is one of the world's largest birds of prey, with a wingspan of up to 6½ feet. Built for the night, it relies on exceptional hearing, outstanding low-light vision, and nearly silent flight to catch prey. They can be found throughout much of Europe, Asia and in parts of northern Africa.

Did you know?
👀Their pumpkin orange eyes can't move, so they turn their heads up to 270 degrees to scan their surroundings.
🪶Specialized feathers allow them to fly almost silently.
😋Their menu includes rabbits, rodents, birds, reptiles, and other small mammals, helping keep ecosystems in balance.
🪶Those distinctive "ear" tufts aren't ears at all; they're used for communication and camouflage.

🦉 Visit the Topeka Zoo to see our Eurasian Eagle-Owls up close, and tell us in the comments: What do you like about our Eurasian Eagle-Owls?

📷credit: Tiffany

08/03/2026

Behind every healthy animal is a dedicated team working hard behind the scenes. 💚

Recently, Sudi, our Lesser Kudu, underwent another step in an ongoing series of hoof care procedures to help correct abnormalities in his front hooves.

During these procedures, our veterinary team carefully trims his hooves and uses a special acrylic resin to help hold each hoof in the correct position as the hoof wall grows back properly. The more extensive procedures are performed under general anesthesia, but between those visits, Sudi participates in voluntary training sessions with his keepers. Thanks to the incredible trust they've built together, he's able to calmly participate in smaller hoof trims without anesthesia.

This specialized care will continue over the coming months, and every step brings Sudi closer to healthier hooves and greater comfort. We're so proud of the teamwork between Sudi, his keepers, and our veterinary staff, all working together to ensure his well-being for years to come.

Here's to every step forward! Join us in wishing Sudi continued progress on his journey to healthier hooves and appreciation for our incredible animal care and veterinary teams. 🧡

08/02/2026

🧡 Happy National Golden Lion Tamarin Day! 🐒

Our troop of five golden lion tamarins recently reached an exciting milestone—our youngest tamarins, Araci and Iara, were confirmed to be females! These playful one-year-olds may spend their days exploring and pulling bark from their redbud tree 🌳, but they represent something much bigger: the future of their species.

With a population that is older and more heavily male, young females like Araci and Iara are especially important in helping reach sustainability goals through the Species Survival Plan (SSP).

Meet our tamarin family:
🧡 Esperta – our 11-year-old mom, born at the Topeka Zoo and always ready for a training session (especially when food is involved!)
🧡 Kris – our 12-year-old dad who loves training, attention, and live crickets
🧡 Zico – their curious 6-year-old son and an amazing big brother
🧡 Araci & Iara – our energetic newest generation who love to explore and play

Native to Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, golden lion tamarins continue to face threats from habitat loss and disease. Thanks to conservation efforts, their status improved from critically endangered to endangered in 2003, but continued work is essential to protect their future.

Have you met our tamarin troop yet? Come watch their playful personalities in action and tell us what makes these tiny primates so special! 🧡

08/01/2026

🐅 Celebrate Global Tiger Day at the Topeka Zoo! 🐅

Join us at the Mark and Bette Morris Family Tiger Trails & Den Academy for a roaring day of family fun while celebrating one of the world's most endangered big cats!

Enjoy:
🎨 Tiger face painting
🧢 Make a tiger hat
👍 Thumbs Up for Tigers activity
📚 Hands-on tiger education
🍪 FREE cookies (while supplies last)

Don't miss "Meet the Tiger Team" at 10:15 a.m. or 1:45 p.m. where you'll hear from the animal care staff, learn about our Sumatran tigers, and discover how accredited zoos are helping conserve this incredible species.

🍺 You can support tiger conservation beyond the Zoo, too! Grab a Tiger Bite IPA at The Blind Tiger Brewery & Restaurant where every purchase helps support Sumatran tiger conservation at the Topeka Zoo.

Whether you're visiting Tiger Trails & Den Academy for the first time or coming back to see your favorite cats, Global Tiger Day is the perfect time to celebrate these amazing animals and the important work being done to protect them. We can't wait to see you at the Zoo!

07/31/2026

In honor of National Zookeeper Week, we want to celebrate the incredible dedication of our animal care team. 💚

Their days begin early and rarely go exactly as planned. From caring for habitats and preparing nutritious meals to creating enrichment activities that keep animals engaged, to building trust through training behaviors that help us monitor their health and well-being. Our keepers do it all with expertise, patience, and compassion.

Every interaction, every observation, and every behind-the-scenes task plays an important role in helping our animals thrive.

Join us in giving a well-deserved thank you to our amazing animal care team! You are the reason our animals receive exceptional care every day. Your dedication and passion make a difference every single day. We celebrate you this week and every week for all that you do for the animals in your care. 🐾

07/30/2026

Meet Abbylene! 🦎💚

Abby, our Argentine black and white tegu, has officially moved into her new home in the Tropical Rainforest at the Topeka Zoo!

Abby is an enthusiastic learner who loves target training and exploring her surroundings. She may take her time waking up, but once she's on the move, she wants to investigate everything! Her favorite treats include blueberries, crickets, super worms, and earthworms, and she has a soft spot for her stuffed octopus.

Visit the Zoo soon and help us give Abby a warm welcome! 💚

📷credit: Caroline and Sara

07/29/2026

Get more with a Topeka Zoo membership!

Right now, when you purchase a new Topeka Zoo membership or renew your current one, you'll automatically be entered to win our Ultimate Tiger Experience!

Looking for a unique gift? A Zoo membership makes a great present for friends, grandparents, or animal lovers of all ages. Gift memberships purchased during the promotion are also automatically entered into the giveaway, giving your recipient the chance to win this one-of-a-kind tiger experience!

One lucky winner will receive:
🐅 An exclusive behind-the-scenes Tiger Trails experience for up to 6 guests
🧸 A tiger plush from the Leopard Spot Gift Shop
📸 A commemorative group photo

Become a member today: https://topekazoo.org/membership

Giveaway ends August 6. The winner will be contacted after the promotion concludes.

07/29/2026

🌻 Great news, Kansas families! 🌻

The adventure isn't over yet! Sunflower Summer has been EXTENDED through August 8, giving you even more time to make unforgettable memories at the Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center.

Don't miss your chance to roar into one more summer adventure before the season ends! 🐅💚

📅 Plan your visit today and make the most of your extended Sunflower Summer experience!

Attention Kansas Families: we have exciting news! Sunflower Summer has been EXTENDED through Saturday, August 8th.

Had a couple stops on your list you just couldn't fit in? No worries! We are extending Sunflower Summer so you can pack in some last minute fun before the kids head back to school.

Learn more and plan your extra visits at SunflowerSummer.org!

07/28/2026

🎉Happy 7th Birthday, Tatu! 🦁

Tatu recently turned 7 years old, making it the perfect time to recognize not only this incredible African lion, but also the conservation efforts helping protect lions in the wild.

At the Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center, caring for lions like Tatu goes beyond exceptional daily care. As a proud participant in the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) African Lion Program, we're supporting efforts to increase African lion populations through public engagement and partnerships with conservationists working on the ground in Africa.

Every visit to the Topeka Zoo helps make a difference. When you meet Tatu, you're also supporting conservation efforts that protect African lions and inspire future wildlife champions.

🎂 Wish Tatu a happy birthday in the comments, then stop by the Zoo to see him and learn how we're helping protect lions for generations to come.


📷credit: Keeper Melissa

07/27/2026

Help us wish Daisy a very happy 5th birthday! 💚

Daisy joined the Topeka Zoo family in 2023 from the Jacksonville Zoo and has been winning hearts ever since. She loves participating in public feedings, enjoys spending time with her keepers, and is always excited for training sessions where she gets to learn something new.

To celebrate her big day, Daisy's keepers rolled out the red carpet with a Movie Night themed birthday party filled with fun enrichment and special treats. 🌟

Be sure to leave Daisy birthday wishes in the comments!

📷credit: Keeper Amber