News

One of the first things visitors learn when they visit the red pandas in the new Asian Highlands exhibit at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is that the animals aren’t pandas – or even bears – at all.

Syngnathidae is the family of fish that includes seahorses (as well as leafy seadragons and pipefish). The name is derived from the Greek, meaning “fused jaw” – but their jaw is sooooo not the most interesting thing about them.

Marg From, director of plant conservation at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, has partnered with the state of Hawaii and 13 other organizations and government agencies to save a species of Hawaiian fern that is found only on the island of Maui.

Michael R. McCarthy, co-founder and chairman of the McCarthy Group, LLC, recently joined the Omaha Zoo Foundation board of directors.

We are excited to announce that Jayme Matis has joined the Omaha Zoo Foundation team as patron relations specialist.

Every year at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, we celebrate our members and Omaha Zoo Foundation patrons with two Member Days that are packed with fun and interactive activities for all ages. This summer, Member Days are July 25 and August 1, but in honor of the 20^th anniversary of the Wildlife Safari Park, we’ve added a special Member Weekend at the park on June 9-10.

“To be able to be so immersed in what’s showing on the screen is an experience that you can’t get anywhere else in the area,” says Dustin Olson, senior manager of guest services at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.

Earlier this month, the Omaha Zoo Foundation hosted Women Who Make an Impact, a panel discussion moderated by Jane Miller, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Gallup, and member of the Omaha Zoological Society board of directors.

The discussion, which was part of an exclusive series of zoo events for patrons, was the most well-attended in the series to date, according to Omaha Zoo Foundation Executive Director Tina Cherica.

The north entrance of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium has experienced many exciting changes in the past several years – including the arrival of the Children’s Adventure Trails, the Meadowlark Theatre, the Alaskan Adventures splash ground and Stingray Beach.

How would feel about having someone in your family who’s considered one of China’s national treasures and has been compared to goats, antelope, cows, sheep, wildebeests, moose and bison – sometimes all at once?

During our spring patron membership drive, which is happening right now, we often hear from longtime patrons who have seen the effects of their support over the years.

We are thrilled to announce that Megan Henkes has joined the Omaha Zoo Foundation staff as our database analyst.