Zoo thanks and blessings

November is the time of year when the Zoo family takes a moment to reflect and gratefully say thank you for our blessings. There are hundreds of things to be thankful for; here are just a few ways in which Zoo Atlanta is thankful for the great year we have had.

First of all, we are thankful for you, our Members and guests who have visited and supported Zoo Atlanta this year! Without your support, the Zoo would not be able to advance our mission to save wildlife and their habitats.

The Zoo is also thankful for our new additions! Earlier this year we welcomed some new babies, including monkeys, turtles and flamingos! Born at Zoo Atlanta were Gerri, an Angolan colobus monkey, and Sophie, a crowned lemur. In addition, we welcomed a new group of young diamondback terrapins, as part of our support of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Lastly, we welcomed back Enwe, a drill monkey, who was born here at Zoo Atlanta and returned to his birthplace from another zoo. 

The Zoo is thankful to have had the opportunity to create memorable experiences for our Members and guests! We launched many new experiences for our guests and Members! The Zoo hosted animal awareness days, Members Only Nights, and launched STEM Sundays, as well as a Vet Academy program. All these experiences were free opportunities to learn about animals and explore their conservation through hands-on experiences. 

We also launched new family programs such as Twilight Trek and Zoo Yoga. Twilight Trek is an evening adventure for the whole family! Participants learn about the Zoo’s conservation initiatives and explore the technology used by wildlife biologists to track and research animals in the wild. Zoo Yoga allows parents and their kids to experience a connection to animals in a new way at the Zoo. This monthly program rotates location and focuses on a different animal at each session. We also continued to offer some of our most popular educational programs, such as Summer Safari Camp and the NightCrawlers overnight program.  Summer Safari Camp touched over 1,400 students this past summer, exploring everything from insects to elephants! Our NightCrawler program, offered for both groups and families, features interactive activities, team challenges, animal encounters and opportunities to learn more about wildlife and wild places. No matter what program, participants create long-lasting, fun “wild memories.”

Lastly, we are thankful to those who serve our country and are honored to pay it forward this month! The Zoo salutes those who have given much for all of us, our military veterans. Did you know that military veterans, both active and retired, are free every day at Zoo Atlanta? On Veterans Day on November 11, we invite them and their families to come to the Zoo and enjoy an additional offer of $4 off each admission ticket for up to six accompanying guests.