Blog

10 reasons to attend Twilight at the Zoo

Miranda Young, Communications Intern

The Zoo Society’s largest fundraiser of the year is back August 2. Twiligh...

Streeeeetch your knowledge about giraffe

Miranda Young, Communications Intern

World Giraffe Day was extra special this year for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The ...

New in 2019: Conservation Series Beer

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Terrestrial Brewing introduces Conservation Series beer to support wildlife arou...

TRUTH OR TAIL? Black rhinos squeak as a way to communicate.

Truth! Although it seems like it should be a “tail” that a mammal...

July Calendar: Things to do at the Zoo

Miranda Young, Communications Intern

Celebrate Asian species this summer

Miranda Young, Communications Intern

The Asian Lantern Festival presented by Cleveland Clinic Children’s offers...

5 things you might not know about sloth bears

Miranda Young, Communications Intern

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is celebrating its first sloth bear cub born in 30 ...

Celebrate wildlife holidays with us

Emily Baber, Conservation Engagement Specialist

Our calendar of holidays at the Zoo looks a little different than the average ca...

Poaching steals from us all

Emily Baber, Conservation Engagement Specialist

Do you or the kids in your life love Kung Fu Panda? Well, our friend Po the pand...

Rhino Breeding Success

In May 2019, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo announced plans for a significant expansio...

6 things to know about kea, the Zoo's newest parrot species

Gina Wilkolak, Interactive Media Specialist

In late 2018, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo welcomed two kea from an aviary in Salt L...

Have you heard about The Herd?

The Zoo has a passionate new group of wildlife ambassadors in its midst. The He...

Fun for every age

From toddlers to ’tweens, ideas for enjoying the Zoo this summer with kids...

Birdwatching at the Zoo

Nicole Moscollic, Member & Donor Services Specialist

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a great hotspot for birds – both exotic and lo...

Local avian wonders

Nicole Moscollic, Member & Donor Services Specialist

When you think of local birds, the first ones that come to mind are probably the...

Citizen science with eBird

Nicole Moscollic, Member & Donor Services Specialist

Did you know that bird watching helps contribute to science and conservation? T...

Photo Finish: Eric Tischler

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Eric Tischler’s day job is a hefty one. “My main goal as a medical ...

RainForest favorites

If you’re like most Zoo guests in the spring, you head to The RainForest. ...

Camp out at the Zoo this summer!

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Do you have a tween who loves the Zoo’s Summer Camp and they wish they cou...

Species Spotlight: In like a...

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

... Lion! As winter thaws into spring (slowly, but surely), we are reminded of ...

Z Magazine - Spring 2019

Gina Wilkolak, Interactive Media Specialist

This issue was published in Spring 2019 for members of the Cleveland Zoological ...

It's Not Easy Being Green...

Elizabeth Thibodeaux, Web & Graphic Design Specialist

Well, maybe it is great to be green if you're one of these animals! Spring color...

A safe place for giraffe

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Members of Cleveland's animal care staff were part of a group that relocated a h...

YOUR DOLLARS AT WORK: Asian Highlands

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Since 1998, the Zoo Society has provided $30 million in funding for the Zoo's ca...

Ask the Expert: Veterinary technicians

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Ask the Expert: Who are the people working at the Zoo hospital? Answer: There a...

Our predictions for event season 2019

Elizabeth Thibodeaux, Web & Graphic Design Specialist

Cleveland Zoological Society events may not kick off until March, but we're alre...

Animals not to miss at the Zoo this winter

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is open all four seasons – 363 days a year! &ndas...

Membership with the Cleveland Zoological Society

Jacqueline Zassick, Manager of Member & Donor Services

Thank you for being a member of the Cleveland Zoological Society! By purchasing ...

Giraffe now a SAFE species

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Operation Twiga III moved 14 giraffe more than 250 miles across Uganda to a ne...

Z Magazine - Winter 2018

Gina Wilkolak, Interactive Media Specialist

This issue was published in Winter 2018 for members of the Cleveland Zoological ...

Photo Finish: Focus on the eyes

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

A quarterly feature, Photo Finish highlights pictures taken by Zoo Society membe...

Celebrate International Cheetah Day

Jacqueline Zassick, Manager of Member & Donor Services

December 4 is International Cheetah Day! Cheetah populations are decreasing in t...

Earn your Master’s and explore the Zoo!

The AIP graduate program is anything but ordinary. When searching for graduat...

Truth or Tail: Toads can give you warts

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Halloween may be over, but the spooky myths continue. Can touching a toad really...

We love fall! 5 great things about visiting the Zoo in the fall

Gina Wilkolak, Interactive Media Specialist

The Zoo is open 363 days a year, and while visiting when the weather cools off m...

Truth or Tail: Cats always land on their feet

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Those platforms and climbing spaces at Asian Highlands made us wonder: Is it t...

Asian Highlands is here!

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Here are 5 things not to miss in the Zoo’s newest habitat A highlight of ...

Ask the Expert: How do you take care of baby animals?

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Black rhino calf Lulu was born in early 2018. Question: How do you help take ...

Photo finish: Baby Lulu and More

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

“Photography is just a great escape for me,” says Zoo Society ...

Conservation front and center

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

A new structure at the Zoo entrance is helping bring to the forefront the Zoo&rs...

Inge's important role

In turns out that one Eastern black rhino in Cleveland has become extremely im...

Clouded leopard Ryker rules!

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Have you seen clouded leopard, Ryker, the Zoo's newest RainForest resident? T...

Giraffe researcher receives conservation award

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Arthur Muneza, East Africa Coordinator for the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (...

Do you know your bears?

Elizabeth Thibodeaux, Web & Graphic Design Specialist

Did you know that Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is home to four different types of be...

Ask the Expert

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Do the elephants and the ducks get along that are in the same exhibit? I saw som...

Saving Species: Combating illegal wildlife trade

What is being done to save species in the wild, and what does wildlife trafficki...

Truth or Tail: A camel's hump

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Truth or tail? A camel's hump stores fat, not water. TRUTH! It's true that c...

Asian Highlands Construction Gallery

Gina Wilkolak, Interactive Media Specialist

Watch Asian Highlands take shape! Watch video updates from when Asian Highlands...

Asian Highlands Photo Gallery

Gina Wilkolak, Interactive Media Specialist

Though half a world away, the mountainous areas of Asia share a similar climate ...

Photo Finish: Unique moments

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

A new quarterly feature, Photo Finish, highlights pictures taken by Zoo Society ...

Z Magazine - Summer 2018

Gina Wilkolak, Interactive Media Specialist

This issue was published in Summer 2018 for members of the Cleveland Zoological ...

Off the beaten path: Exploring nature at the Zoo

Bringing your children to visit the Zoo exposes them to a world of amazing anima...

Love for Lulu!

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

The Zoo's Eastern black rhinoceros population has grown, and a second calf is on...

Five things you may not know about meerkats

Gina Wilkolak, Interactive Media Specialist

How social are meerkats? Why are they always looking up? How long have they been...

Alliances working to help endangered species

Gina Wilkolak, Interactive Media Specialist

Illegal wildlife trafficking is an international crisis. An unprecedented global...

Eight summer experiences not to miss

Gina Wilkolak, Interactive Media Specialist

Coming to the Zoo this spring or summer? Here are eight experiences to check out...

Spring has sprung: 5 flowers not to miss at the Zoo

Jacqueline Zassick, Manager of Member & Donor Services

Spring has finally sprung at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo! The Zoo is awash with col...

Truth or Tail: Koalas are not a type of bear.

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Do you think a koala is a bear? Keep reading to find the answer! Here's the tru...

Uncommon animal senses

Jacqueline Zassick, Manager of Member & Donor Services

Unique animal senses help animals survive and thrive! Walking into Cleveland Me...

Top Ways to Protect Endangered Species

Gina Wilkolak, Interactive Media Specialist

According to a recent press release by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZ...

Tracking lions in Tanzania

Emily Baber, Conservation Engagement Specialist

Satellite radio collars provide valuable insight to help protect lions in Tanzan...

Turtles in Trouble

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Asian turtles are in grave danger in the wild, and your Zoo is working to save t...

Three Asian turtles to see in The RainForest

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

More than half of Asia’s 90 species of tortoises and freshwater turtles ar...

Ask the Expert: Do monkeys like to climb?

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Question: Do the monkeys like to climb a lot? Answer: Of course monkeys like ...

Z Magazine - Spring 2018

Gina Wilkolak, Interactive Media Specialist

This issue was published in Spring 2018 for members of the Cleveland Zoological ...

Photo Finish: Big cats and more

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Photos by Nanette Patrick A new quarterly feature, Photo Finish, highlights pic...

Special Delivery: Saving the Puerto Rican crested toad

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Behind the scenes of The RainForest, your Zoo is part of a vital effort to susta...

Member Matters: Camp counts for little ones

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Membership means a discount on the Zoo's popular summer camp Ready to get the...

Why save the Andean bear?

Emily Baber, Conservation Engagement Specialist

What put Andean bears on the radar to become a key project within Cleveland Metr...

Highlands on the Horizon

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Though half a world away, the mountainous areas of Southern and Eastern Asia sha...

Z Magazine - Winter 2017

Gina Wilkolak, Interactive Media Specialist

This issue was published in Winter 2017 for members of the Cleveland Zoological ...

Ask the Expert: What makes a lion roar?

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Question: What makes a lion roar, and do they roar a lot? - Liam, age 8 An...

Talkin' takin

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Asian Highlands will be home to a species new to Cleveland: the mythical looking...

Science in Action: Monitoring Mokolo

Curators, researchers and animal care staff at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo use scie...

Assassin bugs play predator on the forest floor

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Ready for something a little creepy and crawly for Halloween? The RainForest ha...

They're not that scary!

Gina Wilkolak, Interactive Media Specialist

Halloween is almost here! Let's spend some time demystifying a few (not so) scar...

Tortured, Not Tickled

Emily Baber, Conservation Engagement Specialist

Slow Loris Outreach Week highlights the dangers of sharing misinformation on soc...

Shop smart to save species

Jacqueline Zassick, Manager of Member & Donor Services

Biting into a delicious piece of chocolate does not invoke thoughts of Colobus m...

Z Magazine - Fall 2017

Gina Wilkolak, Interactive Media Specialist

This issue was published in Fall 2017 for members of the Cleveland Zoological So...

The gorilla and electronics connection

Elizabeth T. Fowler, Executive Director

Face to face with a gorilla, you know immediately that we are so close, and yet ...

WATCH: Elevated hay feeders for elephants

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

In the wild, elephants spend up to 60% of their day foraging for food. To mimi...

Africa's Lions: The Pride Needs Our Protection

Emily Baber, Conservation Engagement Specialist

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's efforts in African carnivore conservation have led ...

Adopt program benefits animals in the Zoo and in the wild

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Did you know red pandas have a “thumb” that helps them climb and gra...

Leading the way for giraffe

Emily Baber, Conservation Engagement Specialist

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is taking on a new, national role to secure a future fo...

Z Magazine - Summer 2017

Gina Wilkolak, Interactive Media Specialist

This issue was published in Summer 2017 for members of the Cleveland Zoological ...

Twilight Top Ten

Elizabeth Thibodeaux, Web & Graphic Design Specialist

Tickets for Twilight at the Zoo presented by Medical Mutual are on sale now, but...

5 ways your zoo uses science every day

Emily Baber, Conservation Engagement Specialist

From daily care of the animals at the Zoo to advanced research of husbandry, beh...

Ferocious Fashions!

Elizabeth Thibodeaux, Web & Graphic Design Specialist

Our donors sure know how to show their love of animals and support for Cleveland...

Can't fly south for spring break?

Elizabeth Thibodeaux, Web & Graphic Design Specialist

Let a flock of the Zoo's tropical birds inspire you for your spring staycation. ...

Z Magazine - Spring 2017

Gina Wilkolak, Interactive Media Specialist

This issue was published in Spring 2017 for members of the Cleveland Zoological ...

Cleveland's Amur Tigers Have Earned Their Stripes

Travis Vineyard, Curator of Animals, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Connecting people with wildlife goes beyond the thrill of seeing an individual a...

Ask the Expert

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Question: Do bears in zoos hibernate? Answer: Hibernation is a way for animal...

What's Your Favorite Animal in The RainForest?

For the month of February, we asked our social media followers to post photos of...

Securing a Future for Wildlife

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

As a visitor to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, it’s easy to appreciate and be i...

Standing Tall for Giraffe

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Much attention is paid to the startling numbers of elephants and rhinos that are...

Meet the Zoo's Veterinary Team

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Dr. Mike SeligHead of Veterinary Programs As the Head of Veterinary Programs, D...

For some species, mating can be risky business

Jacqueline Zassick, Manager of Member & Donor Services

The planet is full of examples where love is a dangerous business! Valentine&rs...

Asian small-clawed otters: Five things you didn't know

Gina Wilkolak, Interactive Media Specialist

On September 24, 2017, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo welcomed a litter of three male ...

Year of the Dog

Elizabeth Thibodeaux, Web & Graphic Design Specialist

The Chinese New Year doesn't start until February 16, but we wanted to celebrate...

Leading the way for giraffe

Emily Baber, Conservation Engagement Specialist

Your Zoo has been at the forefront of international conservation efforts for mor...

Year in Review: Animals that arrived in 2017

Gina Wilkolak, Interactive Media Specialist

It’s been a busy year at the Zoo! We’ve seen significant species bir...

A tiger's trip to Cleveland

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

After several months of preparation - and several thousand miles - the Zoo welco...

Ask the Expert: How much do elephants eat?

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Question: How much do the Zoo's elephants eat in a day? Answer: The Zoo&rsq...

Hey, what's that?

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

A new structure has popped up near the Sarah Allison Steffee Center for Zoologic...

GALLERY: Asian Highlands Groundbreaking

Gina Wilkolak, Interactive Media Specialist

In August 2017, the Zoo broke ground on an exciting new habitat, Asian Highlands...

Protecting Elephants: No Simple Task

Emily Baber, Conservation Engagement Specialist

Increasing protections and law enforcement, China’s ivory ban, and publi...

Films are helping primates in Africa

A first-ever study of the impact of conservation films shows an increase of awar...

Bald eagle is our national bird

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Visitors to Wilderness Trek are often impressed by the up-close viewing of a bal...

Truth or Tail: Do flamingos fly south?

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Do you think the Zoo's flamingos fly south for the winter? Scroll down to find o...

Ask the Expert: Kangaroo or Wallaby?

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Question: What's the difference between a kangaroo and a wallaby? Answer: The m...

WATCH: The Zoo's new Mexican wolves

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Did you know that the Mexican wolves at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo are managed dif...

Updates from the field

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

The Zoo works with more than two dozen conservation partners around the world. T...

Wolf Lodge at Wilderness Trek turns 20

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Wolf Lodge at Wilderness Trek opened in May 1997 with a focus on research and co...

Wild About Wolves

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

The Zoo welcomed a new pack of gray wolves to Wilderness Trek Highly social and...

Zoo unveils new logo

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

The Zoo's recent rebranding campaign reinforces longstanding commitment to conse...

Victory for wildlife in Malaysia river region

Emily Baber, Conservation Engagement Specialist

The Kinabatangan River in Sabah, Malaysia, and its surrounding forest compose a ...

Zoo Society earns coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

For the second year in a row, the Cleveland Zoological Society has been awarded ...

Do You Know Your Lemurs?

Elizabeth Thibodeaux, Web & Graphic Design Specialist

Lemurs are small primates found only on the island of Madagascar. According to t...

Fun with Flamingos

Gina Wilkolak, Interactive Media Specialist

For the month of April, we asked our social media followers to help us caption...

Future for Wildlife at work in Rwanda

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Connecting people with wildlife starts with an Ohio family observing gorillas mu...

Rhinos on the move

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

Cleveland's successful black rhino program continues with latest pregnancy annou...

Show your love for big cats!

Gina Wilkolak, Interactive Media Specialist

For the month of March, we asked our social media followers to post photos of th...

Andean bears at home in Machu Picchu

Emily Baber, Conservation Engagement Specialist

The enigmatic Inca city of Machu Picchu is a fitting home for the elusive Andean...

About That Neck ... Fun Giraffe Facts

Giraffe are the tallest living land mammal, with males standing an average of ...

Watch: Veterinarian Dr. Debra Barbarits

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

“I really love not knowing what I’m going to see everyday and being ...

Taking Pride in Animal Care

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

From animal exams to doing "rounds": A day in the life of the Zoo's newest veter...

Hope for Elephants

Emily Baber, Conservation Engagement Specialist

China has announced that it will close its domestic ivory market by the end of 2...

Watch: Working with different animals as a zoo veterinarian

Sarah Crupi, Interim Executive Director, Director of External Relations

For Dr. Barbarits of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Veterinary Services team, ev...