The Clay Center Kansas Zoo

09/24/2026

by Shea Smith / photos provided by the Clay Center Kansas Zoo Facebook Willie, the Asian Water Monitor usually resides in the Clay Center Zoo, but on Septem ...

09/18/2026

Miso and Mochi loved getting to see so many of you yesterday. It was truly one of the best parts of Match Day.

As our two little otters continue to settle into their new home, we wanted to share a quick friendly update about their schedule and care:

- At just 14 weeks old, Miso and Mochi require lots of rest, special care, and quiet time behind the scenes. Because of this, they are not residing at the zoo full-time just yet and are not officially on exhibit.

- If you come out to visit the zoo, please keep in mind that there is no guarantee you will see Miso and Mochi. Their day-to-day routine is focused on their health, nap time, and them growing big and strong.

- Yesterday's close-up experience was a very rare, special one-off occasion for Match Day. Moving forward, as part of their ongoing care, direct public interactions, petting, or playing with the otters will not be a part of regular zoo visits and should not be expected.

We appreciate your understanding, patience, and cooperation as we prioritize Miso and Mochi's well-being. Please keep an eye on our page as we continue to share updates as they grow!

09/18/2026

We are completely blown away, humbled, and overflowing with gratitude. Thanks to your unbelievable generosity, yesterday's Gather for Good Match Day was an incredible success - we raised nearly $60,000 for the Zoo and Park!

Seeing so many friendly faces stop by our table, meet Miso and Mochi (help wear them out), and show such overwhelming love for our zoo family was truly magical. We feel beyond blessed to be part of such a caring, dedicated community.

Every single donation, share, and friendly smile helps us continue to grow and make the Zoo and the Utility Park an amazing, special place for families to visit, learn, and create lasting memories for generations to come.

All of us at the Clay Center Zoo and Clay Center Public Utilities (as well as all of our four legged residents) want to extend a huge Thank You for believing in our vision and making Match Day 2026 unforgettable! We couldn't do it without you!

09/17/2026

We have huge news to share! We are beyond thrilled to officially announce the newest (and cutest) additions to the Clay Center Zoo family: Miso and Mochi, two 14-week-old female Asian Small-clawed Otters!

Stop by our table at the Gather For Good Match Day this afternoon for a special sneak peek to meet Miso and Mochi!

The brand new Asian Small-clawed Otter exhibit will be opening Summer 2027!

Come say hello, welcome Miso and Mochi to the community, and help us celebrate Match Day! Every dollar raised continues to help us provide enriching experiences for our animals and memorable experiences for our visitors!

09/16/2026

Get ready for an exciting day! Tomorrow, Thursday September 17th, is the Gather for Good Match Day, and we would love your support to keep our zoo growing, thriving, and connecting our community with wildlife!

Stop by our table! We will be set up all day to chat, answer questions, and introduce you to some very special animal guests!

Match Day is the absolute best time to give. Your contributions help us unlock essential matching funds to stretch every dollar further!

Also, we have a huge, very exciting announcement dropping tomorrow morning! Make sure to keep your eyes glued to our page so you don't miss it!

Whether you stop by in person or donate online, your support means the world to us and the animals in our care. Let's make this Match Day unforgettable!

09/15/2026

We hope that everyone enjoyed the splash pad this summer. We began the winterization process today and the splash pad is now closed for the season. Thank you again to everyone that supported the splash pad project and to those of you that visited it this summer. See you again in May of 2027!

09/03/2026

08/14/2026

DID YOU KNOW!?......

🐊🎉🥳TODAY IS WORLD LIZARD DAY! 🥳🎉🐊

Come celebrate our big guy, Willie, this Sunday 1-4 pm!!

Simply Scoops
Ice cream flavors have changed to cookies & cream and cookie monster!

08/12/2026

Tag a friend who loves ice cream! 🍨
Simply Scoops