Friends of the Panaewa Zoo

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Friends of the Panaewa Zoo

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On the Big Island of Hawai’i, this 12-acre zoo is the only tropical rainforest zoo in the U.S.

Located on the "Big Island" of Hawaii, this 12 acre zoo is the only tropical rainforest zoo in the United States. It is home to more than 80 animal species including the endangered Nene (Hawaii State Bird) and two Bengal Tiger, Tzatziki and Sriracha. The links on the left will take you to interesting information on many of the Zoo's animal exhibits.

10/16/2026

HELP US NAME OUR TOUCAN DUO!

Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens is excited to announce that our beautiful male and female keel-billed toucans will be making their debut in their habitat over the coming days as we continue renovating our aviaries! But before they settle into the spotlight, they need names! ✨

Our Zoo staff has narrowed it down to four favorite name pairings, and now we need your kōkua to help us choose! Will they be a tropical fruit duo or be named after their vibrant colors??

👇 CAST YOUR VOTE HERE! 👇

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelOs5IjQekHbn30wL5dVBTwwiZdBJQTQ2xAaHVsG3gAzxnJA/viewform?usp=header

🗳️ Voting is open now through Tuesday, October 20, at 11:45 p.m. The link is also available in our bio and will be posted daily to our stories. The winning names will be announced on Wednesday, October 21!

Just a reminder, only votes submitted through the official poll link will count. Comments and new name suggestions will not be included in the contest.

Mahalo for helping us give our newest feathered residents names to match their dynamic personalities! 💛❤️💚💙

10/14/2026

The perfect potion for a spellbinding supper ——> vitamin dust and a generous helping of fruit flies 🐸🪰🪄

At the Zoo, our tiniest residents are the poison dart frogs! We care for three different species, each showcasing its own vibrant colors and unique patterns.

They are diurnal, terrestrial, and carnivorous, eating small invertebrates such as flies and young crickets. Occasionally, the insects are dusted with a vitamin powder to provide additional nutrition.

Poison dart frogs do not make their own poison! Instead, they absorb and sequester alkaloids from the toxic insects (and the plants those insects eat) into their skin. ⚠️ Since frogs in human care are fed diets that lack the alkaloids found in certain wild prey, the dart frogs we work with do not develop the toxins associated with their wild counterparts and are completely non-poisonous!!

10/13/2026

Mahalo nui loa to Waiākeawaena Elementary, the Kiwanis of East Hawaiʻi, Waiākea High Key Club, Hilo High Key Club, and Keaʻau Key Club for their amazing community cleanup in the Hawaiian garden at Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens this past weekend. 🌿

10/11/2026

What does Lilo the American alligator eat? 👀

As a carnivore and opportunistic predator, alligators eat a variety of prey. At the Zoo, Lilo’s diet may include items like specially formulated crocodilian biscuits, small defrosted mammals/birds, and chunks of beef to support her nutritional needs.

Alligators use their sharp teeth to seize and hold prey. Smaller prey is often swallowed whole, while larger meals take a little more effort! Lilo may sometimes shake her food to tear it into smaller, more manageable pieces.

But meat isn’t the only thing on the menu! 🥬 Produce might be offered occasionally as part of enrichment and training. In their native habitats, alligators have been observed eating fruit, and researchers believe they may help disperse seeds throughout wetlands. These powerful predators can play a surprising role in helping their ecosystems grow!!

Lilo currently gets fed Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Sundays at about 1:30 pm (subject to change) 🐊😋

10/10/2026

TODAY TODAY TODAY TODAY TODAY TODAY TODAY TODAY

10/09/2026

A little video featuring Halloween-themed enrichment and our resident ʻAlalā 🐦‍⬛🕸️

10/07/2026

DON'T FORGET, THIS SATURDAY!!!

10/05/2026

Happy International Zookeeper Day AND World Animal Day 🐾

10/04/2026

🌺 Come for the plants… stay for the warm fuzzy feeling of helping the zoo! 🐾🌿
Every purchase helps support Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens.

THIS SATURDAY!!!

10/03/2026

🎃 Boo at the Zoo is back! 👻

Join us for the 4th Annual Boo at the Zoo on October 24 & 25 from 3–6 PM!

The Zoo will be open to the public from 10 AM–2 PM (last entrance at 1:30 PM), then reopen at 3 PM for the event. Face painting will be available at the outside Lion Pavilion starting at 2 PM. A $1 treat bag is required for trick-or-treating.

Enjoy an afternoon of treats, entertainment, games, not-so-scary animals, and a costume contest!

Come celebrate Halloween with us at the Zoo! 🐍🦉🐦‍⬛🪲

Address

800 Stainback Highway
Hilo, HI
.POBOX738,KEEAU,HAWAII.96749

Telephone

+18089599233

Website

https://hilozoo.org/, https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/8NBZUOPZSUOD?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_ggr-subnav-share_P7

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