Blog – Sedgwick County Zoo https://scz.org Wichita, Kansas Fri, 21 Jun 2024 21:28:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 Celebrating the Tallest Animals Alive: Discover World Giraffe Day https://scz.org/blog/celebrating-the-tallest-animals-alive-discover-world-giraffe-day Fri, 21 Jun 2024 21:19:16 +0000 https://scz.org/?p=18841 It’s World Giraffe Day at the Sedgwick County Zoo! Every year on June 21st, we celebrate these unique animals and learn more about how to support conservation efforts for their species in the wild. Here at the Sedgwick County Zoo, one of the first animals you encounter are the giraffes, located near the heart of the Zoo across from The Beastro. With their long necks and eye-catching spots…

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]]> Pollinator Week is Here: Discover the Vital Role Pollinators Play in Nature https://scz.org/blog/pollinator-week-is-here-discover-the-vital-role-pollinators-play-in-nature Thu, 20 Jun 2024 18:55:21 +0000 https://scz.org/?p=18833 Everyone’s buzzing about Pollinator Week! June 17-23 is National Pollinator Week, where certain species are celebrated for their crucial role in helping grow our agriculture and ecosystems. Important pollinator species include bees, butterflies, beetles, bats, hummingbirds and more. Many of these animals play a vital part in their environments, as they help to carry pollen to plants around…

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]]> What It Means to Be AZA Accredited: A Look at Sedgwick County Zoo https://scz.org/blog/what-it-means-to-be-aza-accredited-a-look-at-sedgwick-county-zoo Thu, 07 Mar 2024 19:28:50 +0000 https://scz.org/?p=18498 Walking through the spacious habitats and seeing the diverse array of animals, it’s clear that Sedgwick County Zoo is more than just a place to witness wildlife; it is a testament to animal care, education, and conservation dedication hence the pillars of our mission, “Caring, Connecting, and Conserving”. This dedication is encapsulated in the zoo’s achievement of being AZA accredited.

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]]> What’s that sound? It’s one of North America’s most adaptive reptiles- the Rattlesnake https://scz.org/blog/whats-that-sound-its-one-of-north-americas-most-adaptive-reptiles-the-rattlesnake Mon, 22 Jan 2024 14:45:00 +0000 https://scz.org/?p=18301 One of the most widely spread snakes across North America is the rattlesnake. Adapted for a wide range of weathers- from arid sandy deserts to the colder high altitudes of mountains, rattlesnakes can be found across the continent. “The Rattlesnake is a North American pit viper,” Ectotherm Zookeeper David Kelley said. “They get the name because they’ve got these two heat sensitive pits…

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]]> Animal Tales Preschool is a wild place to learn https://scz.org/blog/animal-tales-preschool-is-a-wild-place-to-learn Sat, 13 Jan 2024 15:45:00 +0000 https://scz.org/?p=18282 Animal Tales Preschool is the perfect place for little ones with a love of nature. “We have a great team of people who work with the kids here. They really love what they do and they really enjoy the kids,” Early Education Specialist Patty Rice said. “I think that shows. I think that the kids really know that people are excited to see them when they get here, are happy to see them…

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]]> 2023 in Review at the Zoo https://scz.org/blog/2023-in-review-at-the-zoo Fri, 29 Dec 2023 15:24:45 +0000 https://scz.org/?p=18142 2023 was a busy year for Sedgwick County Zoo. From record attendance in events, animal transfers and births, there was always something new happening at the Zoo. So, let’s look back at 2023 month by month with Scott Newland, SCZ’s President and CEO. And to cap things off, we’ll look ahead at 2024. 2023 started off on a low note. In December 2022…

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]]> Meet the Queen of Farms- Jamani the Camel https://scz.org/blog/meet-the-queen-of-farms-jamani-the-camel Thu, 21 Dec 2023 15:45:00 +0000 https://scz.org/?p=18107 Jamani the Dromedary Camel has called Sedgwick County Zoo home her whole life. “She is the Queen of Farms, and she knows it,” Zookeeper Kimberly Olsen said. “She loves being the center of attention. I love how sassy she is.” At 24 years old, Jamani is considered elderly. But she’s just as sassy and regal now as she was in her youth. Currently the only camel at the Zoo, she knows she’…

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]]> Meet one of the Education Department’s most talkative members – Sue the African Gray Parrot https://scz.org/blog/meet-one-of-the-education-departments-most-talkative-members-sue-the-african-gray-parrot Wed, 13 Dec 2023 19:49:19 +0000 https://scz.org/?p=17965 It’s not just people that work at the Sedgwick County Zoo. Some of the members of the education department are of the furry and feathered variety. While all the animals at the Zoo are ambassadors for their wild counterparts, the animal ambassadors in the Education department are a little different. “We have about 35 or 40 ambassadors. And they are from all the taxa. So, fish, birds…

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]]> Pajama Party is evening fun for the whole family https://scz.org/blog/pajama-party-is-evening-fun-for-the-whole-family Tue, 05 Dec 2023 18:58:34 +0000 https://scz.org/?p=17925 What better way to wind down for the evening than with a visit to the Zoo? Pajama Party is a mixed-age education class that brings families together to learn about nature and conservation. “Pajama Party is a class for families with young children, anywhere from zero to about seven or eight years old,” Early Education Specialist Patty Rice said. “It’s a time to come together…

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]]> Gentle, sturdy, and endangered – meet the Poitou Donkey https://scz.org/blog/gentle-sturdy-and-endangered-meet-the-poitou-donkey Tue, 28 Nov 2023 14:51:45 +0000 https://scz.org/?p=17887 When you hear that an animal is “Critically Endangered,” what comes to mind? A tiger? What about elephants? Maybe a few birds or amphibians and reptiles cross your mind. When picturing an animal on the brink of extinction, the average person is going to picture more “exotic” and “wild” animals. When you picture “critically endangered” you probably don’t picture a donkey.

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]]> Take the Stress Out of Holiday Shopping with SCZ’s Holiday Gift Guide https://scz.org/blog/take-the-stress-out-of-holiday-shopping-with-sczs-holiday-gift-guide Mon, 20 Nov 2023 16:41:30 +0000 https://scz.org/?p=17834 Trying to find the perfect gift during the holiday season can be stressful. Having to run around from store to store, looking for an item that your loved one will really cherish is a daunting task. But lucky for you, at the Sedgwick County Zoo Store, we offer something for everyone. So, take the stress out of holiday shopping and give a gift they’ll never forget.

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]]> Ewe and Me is a Wild Learning Experience for You and Me https://scz.org/blog/ewe-and-me-is-a-wild-learning-experience-for-you-and-me Mon, 13 Nov 2023 15:54:59 +0000 https://scz.org/?p=17804 Ewe and Me isn’t just a class with learning opportunities for children; their adults often learn something new as well. “Often the adult doesn’t have a lot of information about the animal either, so they learn too,” Early Education Specialist Patty Rice said. “It’s fun to see the parents see how the kids can learn so much about animals just from some of the fun activities we do.

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]]> Experience the Wonders of Wildlife at WOW Safari https://scz.org/blog/experience-the-wonders-of-wildlife-at-wow-safari Wed, 08 Nov 2023 19:12:37 +0000 https://scz.org/?p=17790 WOW Safari is an educational camp for elementary aged kids packed full of hands-on learning and group adventure. “It’s a day of exploration,” Elementary Education Specialist Bailey Thomas said. “They get to work with other like-minded students and get to participate in experiments, outdoor explorations, interact with animals, and learn more about conservation and nature.

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]]> They’re Creepy and Crawly – Learn all about Spiders https://scz.org/blog/theyre-creepy-and-crawly-learn-all-about-spiders Tue, 31 Oct 2023 14:21:40 +0000 https://scz.org/?p=17753 Arachnophobia, the fear of spiders, is one of the most common fears. “They are capable of fast movement occasionally, which I think scares people,” Zookeeper Selena Mayer said. While many people think spiders look scary or move in a way that’s unnerving, they really don’t warrant the fear and hate they often receive. Mayer said one reason people might be afraid of spiders is due to…

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]]> Happy 45th Birthday to western lowland gorilla, Kivu https://scz.org/blog/happy-45th-birthday-to-western-lowland-gorilla-kivu Thu, 26 Oct 2023 14:44:35 +0000 https://scz.org/?p=17717 If you find yourself at the Downing Gorilla Forest, you might notice a gorilla with graying hair lounging in a hammock. “We are all just living in Kivu’s world,” Zookeeper Katie Kiker said. “She does not do anything she doesn’t want to. She’s a sassy old lady, and we love her.” Kivu has lived at Sedgwick County Zoo since 2013. In the ten years she’s been here, she’s made an impression on…

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]]> Tot Tuesday offers education opportunities for everyone https://scz.org/blog/tot-tuesday-offers-education-opportunities-for-everyone Sat, 21 Oct 2023 13:50:00 +0000 https://scz.org/?p=17698 The city of Wichita has taken the proverb “it takes a village to raise a child” to heart. Various non-profits around Wichita have joined together to offer Tot Tuesday, free educational programs for children aged zero to five. “It’s an effort between the museums here in Wichita to offer some free programming for families,” Education Specialist for Early Childhood Patty Rice said.

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]]> Homeschool Expedition offers a unique learning opportunity https://scz.org/blog/homeschool-expedition-offers-a-unique-learning-opportunity Thu, 12 Oct 2023 18:01:27 +0000 https://scz.org/?p=17621 For the past two decades, on average, 3.3% of families homeschooled their children. However, following the COVID-19 pandemic, that rate has more than tripled, with 11% of households with school-age children opting to homeschool. While homeschooling is on the rise, the Zoo is no stranger to offering enriching education opportunities for homeschool curriculums. Homeschool Expedition is a…

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]]> Start your day at Coffee Connections https://scz.org/blog/start-your-day-at-coffee-connections Thu, 28 Sep 2023 13:55:14 +0000 https://scz.org/?p=17476 If you’re like the majority of Americans, you probably start your day with a hot cup of coffee. But did you know you can enjoy your morning coffee at the Zoo? Coffee Connections is a monthly event hosted at Sedgwick County Zoo. The first Monday of every month at 9:00 a.m., we invite you to come in, grab a fresh cup of coffee, and learn something new about the Zoo. “We bring in a speaker…

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]]> Meet one of the dinosaurs’ closest living relatives – the cassowary https://scz.org/blog/meet-one-of-the-dinosaurs-closest-living-relatives-the-cassowary Wed, 20 Sep 2023 13:31:21 +0000 https://scz.org/?p=17457 Looking into a heavily foliaged habitat, you notice movement in the brush. Next you hear a low, booming call. And then you see it- the animal that calls this habitat home. More than six feet tall, incredibly fast, and equipped with sharp toe claws that measure 5 inches long. It sounds like an encounter out of Jurassic Park, but you can experience this by visiting the cassowaries at SCZ.

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]]> In a family all their own- learn about red pandas https://scz.org/blog/in-a-family-all-their-own-learn-about-red-pandas Tue, 12 Sep 2023 14:38:39 +0000 https://scz.org/?p=17446 Inside the Slawson Family Asian Big Cat Trek, there’s a round habitat with a tall dawn redwood tree. At a first glance, the habitat might look empty. But if you look high up in the tree branches, you might see a little red face staring back at you. “If I was going to put a PSA out there for red pandas, I would say, look up,” Zookeeper Jody Sentel said. “Anytime you’re around that habitat…

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]]> Say hello to SCZ’s first ever Guam Kingfisher Chick https://scz.org/blog/say-hello-to-sczs-first-ever-guam-kingfisher-chick Wed, 06 Sep 2023 16:47:20 +0000 https://scz.org/?p=17429 In late July, Sedgwick County Zoo welcomed a Guam kingfisher chick, Poki. “Poki” means “pleasantly chubby” in Chamorro, the native and spoken language of the Chamorro people of the Mariana Islands. The Chamorro name for the Guam kingfisher is Sihek. While the hatching of any Guam kingfisher chick is exciting, the birth of a female is especially so. “She is our first chick here at…

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