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Daily Keeper Talk

Be sure to catch our daily Keeper Talk program on the Discovery Stage, located in the Vet Hospital outside the main zoo entrance. This area, sponsored by Midmark, is home to live animal interactions hosted each afternoon with a zookeeper who will introduce guests to a member of our zoo crew and answer questions. Check out our daily program schedule here.

Check out our animal Ambassadors!

Three Banded Armadillo
Armadillos are a natural pest control. Their diet consists of mostly insects like ants and termites. They use their large claws to dig up and loosen soil to find insects which also helps vegetation growth. Three banded armadillos are often hunted to make jewelry. They are also experiencing habitat loss due to deforestation and the manufacturing of charcoal. Something you can do to help out armadillos like Sheldon is to switch to a gas grill instead.
Linne's Two-Toed Sloth
Sloths live their entire lives in trees, but they are facing habitat loss due to deforestation and the harvesting of Cacao beans in the Amazon Rainforest. Something you can do to help out sloths like Patience is to make sure that the chocolate you buy is Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance Certified.
Prehensile-Tailed Porcupine
Prehensile-Tailed Porcupines live their lives up in the canopies of the rainforest; however, they are facing extreme habitat loss due to the over-harvesting of trees for paper manufacturing. Consider going paperless to help prehensile-tailed porcupines just like Hazelnut and Cashew!
Brazilian Agouti
Agoutis live in the rainforest of Brazil, but they are losing their habitat to farming and deforestation. Some things you can do to help agoutis like Crystal and Jasper are to cut down on red meat and recycling.
Rabbits
It’s important to remember that any pet is a big commitment. Doing proper research about proper diet and habitat is very important before bringing home a new friend. It is also important to remember that domestic rabbits are not wild rabbits and cannot survive outside in the wild. Never release a pet rabbit into the wild. Instead, contact one of the many humane societies or wildlife centers in your area to see what resources are available to help.
Western Rat Snakes
Did you know we have Western rat snakes here in Dayton? While it’s important to practice caution around any wild animal, Western rat snakes are nothing to be afraid of. In fact, they help keep our rodent population down which helps us stay healthy. If you do encounter a black rat snake in the wild, it is a good idea to admire from a distance and leave it be. If you do find one in a residential area and do not feel comfortable leaving it where it is, there are many resources that will help catch and release it safely somewhere else.
Leopard Geckos
Leopard Geckos like our ambassador animal, Apollo, are native to the Middle East and are often taken from their natural habitats to be sold as pets. Exotic animals typically do not make good pets and are best left in nature or in the care of professionals.
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Ways you can support the Discovery Zoo

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What does it mean to be AZA Accredited?

Accreditation is a process by which a program, organization, or institution is evaluated by recognized experts in the profession, and is measured against the established standards and best practices of that profession. AZA stands for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The AZA sets the Gold Standard for animal care and strives to promote those standards in all areas of the zoological profession. To become an accredited member of AZA requires a very detailed application and inspection process that looks at all aspects of your institution including animal care, education, staff professionalism, veterinary care and much more. There are currently about 200 AZA accredited institutions.

To learn more, visit www.aza.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Unfortunately rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife is not a service we are able to provide. We do not have the necessary staff, resources or space needed to provide rehabilitation. Feel free to call us though and we can direct you to the nearest wildlife rehabilitator

We receive many calls throughout the year from folks who are looking for a new home for a pet that they can no longer care for. Unfortunately we usually cannot accept these animals for a variety of reasons. We may be able to help you find an agency that can help with unwanted pets though.

Teens over 14 years of age and adults who are willing to make a minimum commitment of six months after completing our specialized training program are welcome to apply for volunteer positions. In addition, an animal Wish List can be found below. Donations are always welcome.

School is where it all starts. Almost all zoos require college degrees for entry level animal care positions and we are no exception. Our advice is to volunteer as a teenager at a zoo or museum and to pursue a college degree in biology, zoology or a similar degree.

It varies year to year, but we generally have just over one hundred animals. This includes not only the mammals, birds and reptiles, but also all the fish and invertebrates.