In the News
Category: Featured
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026
Thank You for Making Us #1. Again.
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Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium and Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park have once again earned top national recognition in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, ranking #1 in all four categories in which we were nominated.
This continued recognition reflects the dedication of our team and the strong connection this community has with our Zoo and Safari Park.
This year’s honors include:
#1 Best Zoo – Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zo...
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Friday, Jun 6, 2025
Zoo Hosts Event for Venom Research and Innovation
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium welcomed leading scientists, conservationists and animal care and medical professionals for the nationally recognized North American Society of Toxinology’s (NAST) Venom Week Symposium. The three-day event, held June 4 through 6 spotlighted the latest advances in venom research and its real-world applications in medicine, wildlife conservation and antivenom innovation.
This year’s symposium carried special significance. It marked the 2...
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Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Zoo Hosts Rhino Experts
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is proud to host the International Rhino Keeper’s Association (IRKA) workshop event from May 18-21, welcoming nearly 150 rhino experts, animal care professionals and conservation leaders from across the globe. This respected industry event reinforces the Zoo’s standing as a global leader in animal care, wellbeing and conservation.
“Hosting the IRKA annual event is an incredible opportunity to collaborate with fellow professionals who...
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at Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Monday, Apr 14, 2025
Jeff Ewelt Named New Chief Zoological Officer
We’re thrilled to announce Jeff Ewelt as the new Chief Zoological Officer at our Zoo.
With over 14 years of leadership at ZooMontana and decades of experience in animal care and the zoo and aquarium industry, Jeff brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven ability to inspire teams and advance organizational goals.
In this role, Jeff will lead the strategy and vision for all aspects of animal care, solidifying the Zoo’s status as a global leader in animal care and conservation.
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Wednesday, Sep 25, 2024
Zoo Receives Prestigious AZA Accreditation
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Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is proud to announce its continued accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) independent Accreditation Commission. This accreditation means that the Zoo has met the rigorous standards of AZA and will continue to set a precedent for excellence in the zoological community. Fewer than ten percent of the 2,800 wildlife exhibitors licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) are AZA accredited. Omaha’s ...
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Monday, Jan 8, 2024
Zoo Mourns the Passing of Beloved Gorilla Timu
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is saddened to announce that Timu, a 28-year-old female western lowland gorilla, passed away on Thursday, January 4.
The animal health and animal care teams performed several diagnostic tests last week, including a CT scan, to discover that Timu was in acute kidney failure. As Timu’s health continued to rapidly deteriorate during the week, the Zoo’s veterinarians performed multiple medical procedures and treatments, but she passed a...
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Wednesday, Oct 18, 2023
New Male Indian Rhino Makes Public Debut in Asian Highlands
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Brian, a six-year-old male Indian rhino, made his public debut in Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium’s Asian Highlands exhibit Sunday, October 15. His arrival marks an exciting step forward in Indian rhino conservation.
Brian arrived from Ohio’s Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on Tuesday, September 26. His move to Omaha was recommended per the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Indian Rhino Species Survival Plan, a program that works to manage genetically diverse, d...
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Tuesday, Aug 8, 2023
Zoo Welcomes Fourth African Elephant Calf
Jayei, the matriarch of our African elephant herd at about 30 years old, gave birth to a female calf at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 6.“We have been anticipating the birth of Jayei’s calf,” said Sarah Armstrong, the Zoo’s elephant manager. “She is our most experienced mom and was pivotal in the successful births of our first three calves to first-time moms."She added: “What we watched Sunday morning was simply incredible. After about three hours of labor, Ja...
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Friday, Jul 21, 2023
Zoo Announces Full Reopening of the Lied Jungle
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is happy to announce the full reopening of the Lied Jungle as of Friday, July 21.
“Thanks to the great work of our staff and the overwhelming support of the Omaha community, the Zoo is proud to announce the reopening of the Lied Jungle, in full,” said Dr. Luis Padilla, president and CEO of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. “The reopening of the Lied Jungle has been a steady process, as we made necessary repairs to the Ju...
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Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Omaha’s Zoo Announces the Return of Late Nights This Summer Starting May 25
Join Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium for a relaxed evening of wildlife, food trucks and drinks as it hosts the first Late Nights at the Zoo of the summer on Thursday, May 25, from 7 to 10:30 p.m. This series is for adults only, ages 21 and older, and will also be held on the following Thursdays: June 1, 8 & 29, July 6, 13, 20 & 27, and August 3, 10, 17 & 24. Tickets for all dates are now available. To guarantee admittance, reserve your tickets now. Save $5 per event admission by pu...
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