Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

[OmahaRedWing]

Got an email on renewing our membership (great deal through December 3rd if you do the Safari Park, of course we renewed). It mentioned an "New this year -Membership to the Wildlife Safari Park will include access to an all new, totally cool exhibit defrosting this spring."

Anyone know the details?

[Coyote]

Omaha Zoo mourns unexpected death of giraffe Jawara

[Coyote]

Zoolightful at Omaha Zoo



Zoolightful presented by Chesterman Co. Coca-Cola is Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium's all-new wildly bright holiday tradition. Join us now through Saturday, December 30 for lights, Santa and plenty of action after hours. For more information and to get tickets, visit: www.omahazoo.com/zoolightful.

[Coyote]

Omaha's Zoo & Aquarium
Omaha Zoo Giraffe Expecting Her First Calf



The chances were pretty "high." If you guessed giraffe, you are right!
Zola, our 8-year-old female reticulated giraffe, is expecting.
Her journey as a first-time mom will officially begin this coming March.

[Coyote]

'Zoolightful' at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo to run through Saturday

[Coyote]

Zach at the Zoo:
Meet the Puerto Rican Crested Toad and the Wyoming Toad



It’s a spot at the zoo you surely have never visited. “For the first few years I was here this was like a secret. You know, even employees at the zoo were like, ‘have you been down there and seen what’s going on?’” What’s going on down here is the conservation efforts in saving nine different amphibian species Everything is controlled to breed these animals – and help set them up for success once released. “Very few facilities have this type of infrastructure and compare it with success.”

[Coyote]

Zach at the Zoo:
Meet the Tarantulas



In the second edition of Zach at the Zoo, I take you to the Berniece Grewcock Butterfly & Insects Pavilion to learn all about the zoo's intimidating, yet very fragile, tarantulas.

[Coyote]

Henry Doorly Zoo's white alligator undergoes surgery to remove $7 worth of coins, thrown by guests



Staff at the Henry Doorly Zoo performed surgery on an alligator in front of visitors, and Friday, a veterinarian said they pulled almost $7 out of the gator's belly. A guest took pictures as staff removed coins from a gator's stomach in the Desert Dome.

[Brad]

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo announces birth of fifth elephant calf

https://www.ketv.com/article/omaha-henr ... h/46867342

OMAHA, Neb. —
The Henry Doorly Zoo welcomed their fifth elephant calf this weekend.

The male calf was born just before 9 a.m. on Sunday to his mom, 12-year-old Omma, and his father, 23-year-old Callee, according to Omaha's zoo.

He joins his half-siblings: 2-year-olds Eugenia and Sonny, 1-year-old Mopani and 6-month-old Amandra to be born at the zoo.

[Coyote]

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo announces birth of fifth elephant calf

https://www.ketv.com/article/omaha-henr ... h/46867342

Omaha zoo announces birth of male African elephant calf



The calf, which is yet to be named, was born on Sunday to Omma, a 12-year-old African elephant, at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.

[Coyote]

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium vies to be America's best... again



The Kansas City Chiefs did it in the Super Bowl. Now, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium looks to go back-to-back as the Best Zoo in America, as well as two other categories. Votes are essential! Each person can vote once a day on each device for each category through March 4th at 10:59am. “ One thing that makes our zoo so special is just the immersive exhibits that we create for not just our guests, but our animals. And I think the proof is in the pudding. When you come and you visit, you can't help but be transformed into that space. And we've worked really hard to create that space. It's very purposeful. It extends beyond just a visit to our zoo and our conservation efforts, and just what it takes to get there, I think, is really special," said Mandy Rosenquist, vice president of marketing, communications and events at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.

Results will be announced on March 15th.

[Coyote]

Zach at the Zoo: Meet the Western Lowland Gorillas



3 News Now Anchor Zach Williamson continues his weekly series 'Zach at the Zoo'. This week, he better introduces us to an entire family of Western Lowland Gorillas that call Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium home.

[Coyote]

Zach at the Zoo:
Meet the Southern Ground Hornbill



3 News Now Anchor Zach Williamson continues his weekly series 'Zach at the Zoo'.
This week, he better introduces us to Karoo -- the southern ground hornbill.

- Karoo is an animal ambassador at the zoo and performs in the free flight bird shows at the Meadowlark Amphitheater.
- She performs every day at 11 a.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day
- You can symbolically adopt Karoo, which helps feed her and provide enrichment.

[Coyote]

Henry Doorly Zoo names its newest elephant calf



Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium wants everyone to meet Hondo. The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium introduces Hondo, its fifth elephant calf in two years. Pronounced "hon-doh," his name means warrior or fighter in some African countries. is the fifth African elephant calf born at the zoo in two years.

[Coyote]

Zach at the Zoo:
Meet the Perentie



3 News Now Anchor Zach Williamson continues his weekly series 'Zach at the Zoo' at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. This week, he better introduces us to the perentie — the fourth largest lizard in the world.

“If you’re a lizard nerd, this is at the top of your list.” This is a perentie. “It is Australia's largest lizard — and the fourth largest lizard in the world,” Supervisor of Reptiles & Amphibians at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium Andy Reeves said. “There’s records of them being over eight feet long.” These lizards are the apex predator in their habitat.

[skinzfan23]

The zoo just announced that they swept all 3 categories that they were nominated for in the Reader's Choice awards:

Best Zoo
Best Exhibit
Best Safari Park

That is amazing once again.

[Coyote]

The zoo just announced swept all 3 categories

Best Zoo
Best Exhibit
Best Safari Park

[Brad]

The zoo just announced that they swept all 3 categories that they were nominated for in the Reader's Choice awards:

Best Zoo
Best Exhibit
Best Safari Park

That is amazing once again.

That's awesome!

[ita]

https://www.3newsnow.com/news/local-new ... ice-awards

“Simply put, Omaha’s Zoo is the GOAT,” Visit Omaha Executive Director Deb Ward said.

"In 2023, our research shows 42 percent of the people who came to the zoo came from over 60 miles away. Those people are staying in our hotels, eating in our restaurants, shopping in our stores, paying our taxes — and don’t forget, tourism supports more than 15,000 jobs for our friends, family and neighbors.”

This is a really interesting stat. The zoo needs a hotel partner asap.

[almighty_tuna]

What would be REALLY cool is if there was a hotel IN THE ZOO, kind of like the Animal Kingdom Lodge at Disney.

[Coyote]

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo voted best in nation for second straight year in USA Today poll



For the second straight year, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo has received big recognition in a nationwide vote. The zoo was voted the best zoo in the nation in USA Today's 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards. Henry Doorly Zoo was also named Best Safari Park, and the Desert Dome was named Best Zoo Exhibit for the second consecutive year. "This means so much to us, but also so much to Omaha and the recognition this means to our zoo and our community," said Luis Padilla, the president of the Henry Doorly Zoo.

[Coyote]

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo named best zoo in the nation for second year in a row

[Coyote]

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo celebrates first birthday for Hope the giraffe



The Henry Doorly Zoo is celebrating the first birthday of Hope the giraffe. The zoo held a birthday party with a group of kids even singing to her. It's a big milestone since Hope's mother didn't give her the care she needed to survive, so the zoo's teams stepped in and made sure she made it. The zoo said Tuesday that she's now 8 feet tall and weighs over 600 pounds.

"It's important to note that without her being as strong as she was and having the will that she did to survive and fight, we may not be here, so I think we definitely owe a bit of our success to her as well," Josh Shandera, senior hoofstock keeper at the zoo, said. The zoo hopes that hope will one day be able to donate plasma and become a mother in her own right.

[Coyote]

Zach at the Zoo:
Meet the Malayan Jungle Nymph



3 News Now Anchor Zach Williamson continues his weekly series 'Zach at the Zoo' at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. This week, introducing us to the Malayan Jungle Nymph.

- The female Malayan Jungle Nymph is the heaviest stick insect in the world, and is two times larger than its male counterpart.
- The female is green and camouflages with leaves, while the male is brown and camouflages with sticks.
- There are 16 on display inside the Butterfly and Insect Pavillion.

[Coyote]

Zach at the Zoo:
Meet the Sunflower Sea Star



3 News Now Anchor Zach Williamson introduces us to the sunflower sea star and goes behind the scenes at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium to see the zoo's conservation efforts to save the species.

- The sunflower sea star can grow up to 24 limbs.
- It is the fastest, and heaviest, sea star in the world.
- Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is helping lead the charge in saving the endangered species.

[Coyote]

Take a peek inside the Omaha Zoo's commissary
and see how they manage to feed 39,000 animals daily

[Coyote]

Zach at the Zoo:
Meet Star, the Red Panda



In this edition of Zach at the Zoo, 3 News Now Anchor Zach Williamson takes us back to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium to better introduces us to Star, the red panda.

- Red Pandas are one-of-one: “They were thought to be related to bears, to raccoons, mustelids, which are like weasels – they're not really any of those. They’re kind of in their own family.”
- The red panda is endangered, and the zoo hopes to eventually get Star a mate to continue to grow the population.

[Coyote]

Zach at the Zoo:
Meet Johnny and June



Meet Johnny and June.

“Johnny is a very social pig. He likes to be around us and the keepers, and just likes to hangout,” Keeper Mariah Myers said. “He also has the two big tusks. If you get really close, you can see his two different colored eyes as well.” “And Meet Johnny and June. “Johnny is a very social pig. He likes to be around us and the keepers, and just likes to hangout,” Keeper Mariah Myers said. “He also has the two big tusks. If you get really close, you can see his two different colored eyes as well.”

[Coyote]

Zach at the Zoo:
Meet the Santa Catalina Rattlesnake



This animal isn’t for everyone. “So, this guy right here is a Santa Catalina Rattlesnake,” Senior Keeper Dylan Ray said. But definitely for our reptile lovers. “Absolutely gorgeous snakes. I love them.” The Santa Catalina Rattlesnake is critically endangered – but the zoo is doing its part in growing the species. “ These babies are a year old, and the mom is about 14. She has given us seven babies in the last few years,” Ray shared. There’s 11 total here in Omaha. “So, there’s this color, which is like a whitish/grey/silver color, and then a reddish brown one,” Ray told us. In the wild, you can only find this venomous reptile on Santa Catalina Island. Located off the coast of Southern California.

[Coyote]

Zach at the Zoo:
Meet the White-Naped Crane



They have been residents at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium since 2017. “ Frazier and Moyling — they are white-naped cranes,” Lead Keeper of Birds Tim Shaw said. These birds are tall and tough. “They can take extremely cold temperatures. The only time we actually pull them in is if it gets really cold and we have deep snow in their pen,” Shaw said. “Then you have to worry about frostbite on the feet.”

[Coyote]

Zach at the Zoo:
Meet the Angolan Colobus



In this week's edition of Zach at the Zoo, we are better introduced to the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium's two Angolan Colobus monkeys — Msiri and Tabitha. The two love to eat and sunbathe!

Today’s visit is all about -- “My favorite monkey, which is the Angolan colobus,” Great Ape Keeper Callie Nanfito said. Two of them call Omaha home. “Tabitha is our female, and she is 24 years old. Msiri is our male, and he is 18 years old,” Nanfito said. Both have their own flare. “ That’s Msiri. His white tufts on his ears stick out a little bit more. He’s a lot more active. He’s kind of bouncing around the exhibit a lot,” she shared. “ And then Tabitha, her hair is a little bit more slicked back. She’s always eating. So, she’s always looking for leaves.”

[Coyote]

Zach at the Zoo:
Meet the Japanese Giant Spider Crab



In this week's edition of Zach at the Zoo, we are better introduced to Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium's Japanese Giant Spider Crabs — the largest crustacean in the world, growing up to ten feet!

“I mean, they look alien and they feel alien, and they’re from the bottom of the ocean which is as close to something alien you could probably get here,” Senior Aquaist Ben Morrow said. Four of these alien-like creatures call Omaha home – one of the few places you’d be able to see them. “These guys can be a thousand feet under the water, commonly, and after that point it’s really hard for us to know," Morrow shared. "But they very likely go much deeper.”

They are Japanese Giant Spider Crabs – and called giant for a reason. “This part of their body, the sulfa thorax is what we call it, is actually going to stay relatively this size for the rest of its life," Morrow explained. "But its legs will get incredibly big. They can be ten foot, which is extreme, but imagine that walking around on the floor of the ocean.”

[Coyote]

Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium announces wild new events



Sips, bites and wild sights! Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is kicking off its summer series "Late Nights at the Zoo." It will be every Thursday night from 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. beginning May 30th and running through August. The fun-filled nights are for adults 21-years and older, so leave the kids at home.

"There's a new look and new vibe that we're excited about," said Mandy Rosenquist, the Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Events. Mandy sat down with KETV's Waverle Monroe to talk about the new look of "Late Nights" and to promote their Zooventure passport program.

[Coyote]

Zach at the Zoo:
Meet the Harbor Seal



In this week's edition of Zach at the Zoo, we are better introduced to Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium's two harbor seals — Milo and Monty. The two boys are lovable and really know how to put on a show.

These boys are sure to make you smile. “So, we have Monty and Milo,” Supervisor of Apes & Pinnipeds Christine Dupre told us. “ Monty has like smaller spots on him and greyer in color." “ While milo is more brownish in color, and his spots are much larger.” Not to be confused with sea lions – although they are roommates with the sea lions at the Owen Sea Lion Shores exhibit – these two are harbor seals. “ They don’t live in groups like sea lions do. They don’t have big families, they’re solitary,” Dupre said. “These two are actually very close. It’s almost like having an umbilical cord. Where one goes, the other one goes.”

[Coyote]

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo celebrates member appreciation week



The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is showing its appreciation for its members this week. Each day comes with a theme. Tuesday's focuses on "Aquarium Adventure," followed by "Desert Destination" on Wednesday and "Primate Party" opens Thursday. Every day this week, there's a sea lion training and a free-flight bird show. So if you have a membership with the zoo, be sure to stop in.

[skinzfan23]

I thought it was a little strange how they decided to do member's week this year. I remember, before covid, they would have 2 weeks, usually in late July/early August, they also used to offer behind-the-scenes tours. They no longer have the tours. There are a few animal feedings you can watch and they do offer free ride tickets that you can get and use by August 25th, but wonder why they cut down on what they offer.

[Coyote]

Zach at the Zoo:
Meet the American Flamingo



In this week's edition of Zach at the Zoo, we are better introduced to Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium's 27 American flamingos. These birds are some of the most unique in the world.

They are one of the most eye-popping birds in the animal kingdom. American, or they’re also known as the Caribbean, flamingos,” Lead Bird Keeper Tim Shaw tell us. There’s 27 of these 3-to- 4-foot-tall birds in the flock – or check that – “ A group of flamingos is called a flamboyance,” Shaw corrected me. The number of flamingos here is pretty typical for a flamboyance.

You can see this flamboyance for yourself in the recently reopened Simmons Aviary.

[CBJason]

In town for vacation. Went to the zoo Friday and it surprisingly wasn’t too crowded with everybody in town. They opened the refurbished Orangutan Forest. It wasn’t bad. Still love the zoo overall and the kids enjoyed it especially with the rides, splash pad and stingray beach.

[nebugeater]

In town for vacation. Went to the zoo Friday and it surprisingly wasn’t too crowded with everybody in town. They opened the refurbished Orangutan Forest. It wasn’t bad. Still love the zoo overall and the kids enjoyed it especially with the rides, splash pad and stingray beach.

I was there on Saturday. It started out not too busy, and we were there shortly after it opened. In the past, we do not spend all day. When we left around 1 it was busy and the parking was really full.

[Greg S]

My oldest and I went to the zoo on Sunday. We went earlier in the summer just before the Orangutan Forest opened. I will say I was really impressed with what they did. Much better viewing on the outside part up top close to the Desert Dome. Also thought the same where the elevator waiting area is on the top floor. Looks like they might have improved the window looking east maybe over the zoo?

For the indoor part of the exhibit and the outside part of the building, they really upgraded the themeing and the exhibits are really improved for both those attending the zoo and the orangutans. I was expecting more of a "refresh" like they did with the aquarium several years ago. This far exceeded that.

One question though. Sunday and on our previous visit, they were only doing round trip tickets on the skyfari from the stop near the butterfly building. Is that standard now?