Sedgwick County Zoo

06/01/2026

Get your cameras ready! 📷🎉Sedgwick County Zoo’s 2027 Calendar Photo Contest is coming soon.

In honor of Nature Photography Day this year, we are giving 12 lucky visitors the chance to have one of their photos featured in the official 2027 Sedgwick County Zoo Calendar. Whether you’re a professional photographer, hobbyist, or someone who happened to capture a special moment on your phone, we want to see the Zoo through your lens.

Now is the perfect time to look back through your favorite SCZ photos or plan a visit to capture something new. *Entries open June 15, Nature Photography Day, so start gathering your best shots!

🔎 Learn more about the contest, entry requirements, prizes, and Nature Photography Day here: scz.org/blog/sedgwick-county-zoo-calendar-photo-contest

05/31/2026

Happy World Parrot Day! 🦜💚

Today, we’re highlighting the thick-billed parrot, an endangered species once native to the United States and now found primarily in the mountain forests of Mexico.

Many parrot species around the world face threats from habitat loss, climate change, and the illegal wildlife trade. In fact, nearly 45% of parrot species are considered Near Threatened or higher. 🤯

The thick-billed parrots that call Sedgwick County Zoo home are currently behind the scenes for breeding, following a recommendation from the Species Survival Plan (SSP). By giving them a quiet space to focus on the next generation, we're proud to play a part in saving this incredible species!

This World Parrot Day, we join the AZA community in making the promise:
I will support the conservation of endangered parrot species. 🦜

05/28/2026

If the rain prevented you from coming to the Zoo today, check out our live cams for your daily dose of wildlife!

🔴🎥

The Cessna Penguin Cove was designed to replicate the coast of South America, where Humboldt Penguins are found in the wild. Our penguin cam was made possible by a donation from Kelly and Jon Callen…

05/28/2026

If you have a family member who loves all things slithery, scaly, or slimy, bring them to explore our Amphibians & Reptiles building! 🐸

From king cobras to poison dart frogs, this space highlights the incredible diversity of amphibians and reptiles through carefully selected species from around the world. Each habitat offers a closer look at animals that are often misunderstood, but play important roles in healthy ecosystems as predators, prey, and environmental indicators.

It’s the perfect stop for curious minds, future herpetologists, and anyone ready to appreciate the quieter side of the animal kingdom. 🐍

05/27/2026

Ending the only way we know how… with Jack and Barbara being otterly adorable. 🦦🧡

05/27/2026

We hope you don’t have otter plans, because today is World Otter Day! 🦦💦

Celebrated each year on the last Wednesday of May, World Otter Day highlights these playful, intelligent, and important aquatic mammals. North American river otters like Jack and Barbara are excellent swimmers, using their long bodies, webbed feet, and powerful tails to move through the water with ease.

Jack and Barbara are swimming with excitement (as usual), so come out and celebrate with us! 🧡

05/27/2026

Kitika the tenrec celebrated her 9th birthday this Monday! 🎉

Her care team treated her with birthday-themed enrichment, including streamers, a sand bath, and a few of her favorite snacks.

Tenrecs may look like hedgehogs, but they’re actually a unique group of mammals native to Madagascar and parts of Africa. In the wild, they typically live 8–10 years, with their lifespan extending beyond that in human care.

Happy birthday, Kitika! 💛

📷Shoutout to Keeper Marissa G. for taking these photos!

05/25/2026

We’re open this Memorial Day until 5PM with regular Zoo admission! 🎟️🦅

Did you know bald eagles became an important symbol of American strength and freedom during World War II, often appearing on military insignia, posters, and patriotic artwork? Today, they remain a powerful reminder of resilience and our nation’s history.

As you visit the Zoo today, be sure to stop by and see our two bald eagles while taking a moment to reflect on and honor those who have served our country.

To all who have served and continue to serve, thank you. Happy Memorial Day from your friends at the Zoo!

05/23/2026

It’s World Turtle Day, which means we get to shell-ebrate our rad reptiles! 🐢💚

This year, we’re highlighting one of the smallest and most endangered tortoise species in the world - the Egyptian tortoise.

Native to the coastal desert regions of Egypt and Libya, these tiny tortoises rely on fog and low desert vegetation to survive in their harsh environment. Growing up to 6 inches in length, adult males are smaller than females and can fit in the palm of your hand!

Because Egyptian tortoises are critically endangered, AZA-accredited zoos work together through the Species Survival Plan (SSP) alongside private conservation partners to help protect and sustain healthy populations for the future.

Here at Sedgwick County Zoo, we care for seven Egyptian tortoises, including two that guests can visit inside the Amphibians & Reptiles building. 🐢 Next time you visit, stop by to see these incredible little tortoises and see how conservation organizations around the world are helping protect their species!

05/22/2026

Tropics has reopened, and we’re excited to welcome guests back into one of our most immersive spaces! 🌿🦜📷

As you explore the Tropics this weekend, we’d love to see the incredible birds, fish, and plant species you discover along the way. Share your favorite photos in the comments below and help showcase the amazing variety of life that calls Tropics home.

📷 Photo Credit: Volunteer Jo