The Life of Hellbenders at the Buffalo Zoo

See inside the Hellbender lab at the Buffalo Zoo. This video shows off the work being done there to raise and release eastern hellbenders, to ultimately increase the wild population.

Bowl With Buffalo Zoo Keepers and Help Save Rhinos!

In a continuing effort to protect endangered rhinos and other species in the wild, zoo keepers throughout the nation will host the ninth annual Bowling For Rhinos fundraiser—and you’re invited to join us!

In conjunction with the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK), Buffalo Zoo keepers will hold our local Bowling For Rhinos fundraiser at Thruway Lanes near the Walden Galleria Mall on Friday, June 1, 2012. Check-in will begin at 6:00 p.m. Fees are $25 per adult bowler and $20 per child bowler (age 14 and younger). Fees include three games, shoe rental, pizza, soda, t-shirt and admission to the basket auction and raffles. The price for non-bowling guests is $10 per person and includes pizza, soda and admission to the basket auction and raffles. Pre-registration is required. Registration information (including payment) is due by Thursday, May 17.

This can be your family or company’s opportunity to be a strong voice in the worldwide effort to conserve endangered species. Please consider forming a team to bowl with the Buffalo Zoo keepers! You may also sign up as an individual bowler. For more information, please call (716) 995-6156 (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. weekdays) or visit www.buffalozoo.org to download a registration form.

Buffalo Zoo keepers are proud to participate in this fundraiser, which benefits endangered rhinos. Tashi, a 15-year-old female rhino, is one of the most popular animals at the Buffalo Zoo. Tashi is also playing a large role in preserving the future of her species. She has given birth to two calves—Ashakiran, who now resides at the Toronto Zoo, and Clover, who now resides at African Lion Safari. The births were very

significant as there are only approximately 70 Indian rhinos in captivity in North America and only 2,800 left in the wild today.

Please join us in this fundraiser so we can all help Tashi’s relatives in their native habitats. Approximately $150,000 is raised annually during this national bowl-a-thon with Buffalo Zoo keepers raising $8,000-$10,000 in the past. All of the proceeds will go directly to support the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (LWC) in Kenya, Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, Indonesia and Bukit Barisan Selatan (BBSNP) and Way Kambas National Parks in Sumatra, Indonesia. These sanctuaries not only save endangered rhinos but also everything from orchids to elephants.

The Buffalo Zoo Presents Summer Nature Camp 2012

Join In The Fun July 9 – August 24

Buffalo, NY – Registration for the Buffalo Zoo’s for its Summer Nature Camp 2012 is now open!

Our nature camp is designed to enable children, ages 5 through 12 years old, to experience the wonders of summer by attending workshops featuring a wide variety of animal-related topics, including watery habitats, the “bad” reputations of some animal species, animal IQ and what it takes to run the zoo! Workshops run July 9 through August 24 (Monday - Friday) from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Camp themes repeat so you can plan around your summer vacation and not miss a thing!

The registration fee is $150 for Buffalo Zoo members and $165 for non-members. Multiple child and week discounts are offered. A limited number of scholarships, as well as before care and after care, are also available.

Camp activities include exhibit visits, animal information sessions, games, songs, stories and live animal contact. Participants, under the supervision of Zoo staff, will have the opportunity to interact with various mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and arthropods from the Education Department’s animal collection. Summer Nature Camp also includes some outdoor activities, so campers are advised to wear appropriate clothing.

For more information regarding Summer Nature Camp, please contact the Buffalo Zoo’s Education Department, at (716) 995-6128 or visit the Zoo’s website at: www.buffalozoo.org

Wines in the Wild 2012

For years now, the annual Wines in the Wild event has been one of the summer’s most sought after tickets. Sponsored this year by the Bank of America, 2Find Your Home, Volkswagen of Orchard Park, Fox 29, My Tv, 97 Rock, Classic Hits 104.1 and Buffalo Spree Magazine and taking place on the grounds of the Buffalo Zoo on July 25, 2012, this annual benefit for the Zoo’s Adopt an Animal fund showcases some of the best restaurants, breweries, wineries and other specialty services in the Western New York Region. 2500 friends of the Zoo come together to help the Zoo and sample some of the best the area has to offer.

It is a great chance to make some of the Zoo’s friends your customers. If you want to bring the best of your establishment, join some longtime Zoo partners like Brodo, Brooklyn Lager, Buffalo Brew Pub, Flying Bison Brewery, Lake Effect Artisan Ice Cream, NorthAmerican Breweries, Long Trail Brewing, Lebro’s Restaurant, Perry’s Ice Cream, Pizza Plant, Johnson Estate Winery, Risa’s Restaurant, Global Group, Rich Products Catering, Sweet Jenny’s and many more.

Click here to show off your best to Western New York and help the Zoo.

If you want to help both your appetite and the Buffalo Zoo, come enjoy our basket auction, a silent auction and a visit from some our animal ambassadors. The event runs from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $50 at the door untill event sells out. Or you can call (716) 995-6131 to order tickets by phone. You must be 21 years or older to attend. The more the merrier, so bring your friends and neighbors to enjoy this wonderful, casual evening to benefit the Buffalo Zoo. Wines in the Wild is the premier event of the summer and sells out very quickly. Don’t delay—get your tickets today. We look forward to partying with you!

Click here to purchase standard tickets

Click here to purchase VIP tickets

Summer Nature Camp 2012

Summer Nature Camp at the Buffalo Zoo is back and wilder than ever! Through exciting weeks of games, songs, crafts, and close encounters with the animals, campers will explore the lives of both predators and prey, and explore complex animal societies as they learn to work together as a team. With multiple weeks to choose from make sure your little camper doesn't miss any of these exciting new camp experiences!

Days: Monday through Friday
Dates: July 9th through August 14th
Times: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Explorer Groups:
Giraffes: Ages 5 - 6
Rhinos: Ages 7- 8Elephants: Ages 9 -12
Please provide copy of Birth Certificate for registration purpose either by fax or mail.
Summer Nature Camp Topics
Week 1 July 9 - 13
Water Water EverywhereWhether as oceans, lakes, rivers, or just a backyard pond, water is everywhere and with it we find an amazing array of water-loving animals. Spend a wild and wet week exploring the watery habitats that our Zoo animals call home.

Week 2: July 16 - 20
Creepy Crawly Scaly SlimySome animals get a bad rap.  Join us as we explore the animals we love to hate and discover if their bad reputations are truly deserved.

Week 3: July 23 - 27
Animal IQAnimals are smarter than you think! Test your smarts against the animal kingdom as we discover animals that can problem solve, use tools, and learn from other animals. We'll also explore the many ways humans have learned from animals.

Week 4: July 30 - August 3
You Run the Zoo!
Taking care of the animals at the Zoo doesn't just mean feeding and watering them. Learn what it takes to recreate the habitats of some of our favorite animals and help us keep them happy and healthy by creating special toys and treats to give them.

Week 5 August 6 - 10
Water Water EverywhereWhether as oceans, lakes, rivers, or just a backyard pond, water is everywhere and with it we find an amazing array of water-loving animals. Spend a wild and wet week exploring the watery habitats that our Zoo animals call home.

Week 6: August 13 - 17
Creepy Crawly Scaly SlimySome animals get a bad rap.  Join us as we explore the animals we love to hate and discover if their bad reputations are truly deserved.

Week 7: August 20 - 24
Animal IQAnimals are smarter than you think! Test your smarts against the animal kingdom as we discover animals that can problem solve, use tools, and learn from other animals. We'll also explore the many ways humans have learned from animals.

To get more information or to reserve space for your Zoo camper, please call (716) 995-6128 or visit us online at http://www.buffalozoo.org/summer_camp.html.

2012 Buffalo Zoo Photo Contest

Take your best shot at the Buffalo Zoo this year and enter in our Photo Contest. You may win a place in the Women’s Board annual calendar. Best of Show wins the calendar cover! Up to 14 other prizes will be awarded in the general category. Our youth category awards include 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. For more information please call 716) 995-6131 or visit http://www.buffalozoo.org/photo_web_rules.pdf. CLICK HERE to view the 2011 1st place winners.

Spaces Still Available for The Buffalo Zoo’s Teen Naturalist Programs

Registration is still open for the Buffalo Zoo’s Junior Zoo Teen Naturalist and Zoo Teen Naturalist programs!

The Junior Zoo Teen Naturalist program is designed for teens (ages 13-14 years old), who are interested in animals and the environment. Junior Zoo Teen Naturalists will investigate the animal world by exploring a wide variety of topics, including exhibit design, animal care, animal handling and more. Each week will be full of hand-on activities and live animal encounters that help teach participants more about the Zoo.

Session 1 runs from July 9-27, and Session 2 runs from July 30 – August 17.  Each session is held for three weeks every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The program is limited to 15 participants per session.  The program fee is $270 for Buffalo Zoo members and $300 for non-members.

Space is also still available for the program designed for older teens. The Zoo Teen Naturalists program (offered to teens ages 15-17 years old) gives teens the opportunity to get hands-on experience at the Buffalo Zoo! This internship-like program is designed for older teens, who are serious about expanding their animal knowledge and considering a career with animals. Participants should be prepared for real-life animal experiences and more opportunities for up-close animal encounters and animal handling.

Session 1 runs from July 10-27, and Session 2 runs from July 31 – August 17. Each session is held for three weeks every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The program is limited to 6 participants per session.  The program fee is $295 for Buffalo Zoo members and $325 for non-members. Please note that the Zoo MUST receive a completed application by May 11, 2012 for you to be considered for the older teen program.

For more information about the Teen Naturalist programs, please contact the Buffalo Zoo’s Education Department, at (716) 995-6128 or visit the Zoo’s website at: www.buffalozoo.org. 

Buffalo Zoo Celebrates “Ape-ril” on Zooper Saturday, April 7, 2012

Go bananas over the Buffalo Zoo’s Western lowland gorilla troop during the Zooper Saturday Ape-ril Event, which is being held on April 7 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.!

                The event is free with Zoo admission. Highlights of the event include raffles as well as enrichment activities for the Zoo’s gorillas—Koga (the troop’s silverback) and females, Lily, Sidney and baby, Amari. Proceeds from the raffles will benefit the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), which helps to promote gorilla conservation.

                Visitors who donate old cell phones at the front gate during this event will also receive $1 off regular Zoo admission per cell phone. The cell phones will be collected through the Eco-Cell program. Designed to gather unused cell phones for refurbishment and recycling purposes, the program also helps wildlife in the Congo. Columbite-tantalite (coltan), a metallic ore found in the region, is used in cell phones and other electronic devices. Illegal mining for the ore is occurring in protected areas, and miners are overrunning national parks while also hunting the parks’ endangered elephants and gorillas for food. In addition to protecting these animals, the program also benefits the Buffalo Zoo. Eco-Cell pays the Zoo up to $15 per working digital phone, and this money is added to the Zoo’s Cars for Conservation fund, which helps to support conservation projects worldwide.

                The event schedule is as follows:

11:00 a.m.               Gorilla feeding

12:00 p.m.               Enrichment for the gorillas

1:00 p.m.                 Gorilla feeding

1:00 p.m. –             Crafts and raffles

2:45 p.m. (Raffle tickets are 1 for $1 or 3 for $2.)

2:00 p.m.                 Enrichment for the gorillas

2:45 p.m.                 Raffle drawing closes; winners announced

                                (You do not have to be present to win.)

3:00 p.m.                 Gorilla feeding

                For more information about the Zoo’s Ape-ril event, please call (716) 995-6133 or visit www.buffalozoo.org.