ALL-NEW
Open as of August 8: the all-new African Savanna All life is connected on the savanna, with surprising connections to us here at home. Join the journey on the all-new African Savanna, featuring new and expanded habitats for African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, warthogs and meerkats. Learn more at zooatlanta.org/africansavanna.
SIGNATURE EVENTS
Ya Lun and Xi Lun are turning 3! September 3 The only giant panda twins in the U.S., Ya Lun and Xi Lun, turn 3 on September 3. Two bears mean two opportunities to celebrate as the twins explore birthday surprises. Visit zooatlanta.org for times when you can wish them well. Learn more at zooatlanta.org. Free for Zoo Atlanta Members and children under 3; free with general admission.
Play the Animal Way September 7
Engage your inner wild thing in the wide world of animal enrichment with the return of a favorite annual tradition. The animals investigate the most colorful surprises of the year while guests try enrichment puzzles of their own at activity stations throughout the Zoo. Highlights will include special Keeper Talks and training demonstrations, crafts, character meet-and-greets and more. Learn more at zooatlanta.org. Free with general admission; free for Zoo Atlanta Members and children under 3.
Sippin’ Safari presented by Groupon September 21
Zoo Atlanta comes uncorked with the return of Sippin’ Safari, the signature fall wine event. Tickets include wine sampling, bites from some of Atlanta’s top restaurants, live music throughout the Zoo and evening wildlife viewing for guests 21 and up. Get tickets now on zooatlanta.org. This event is for ages 21 and up only; guests under 21 will not be admitted.
ANIMAL AWARENESS EVENTS
International Vulture Awareness Day September 7
Visit Zoo Atlanta for a day dedicated to nature’s cleanup crew – vultures! Vultures play a vital role in ecosystems around the world, but they are among the planet’s fastest-declining bird species. Learn more about the challenges facing African vultures, and find out how you can help our backyard vultures here in Georgia. Learn more at zooatlanta.org.
World Gorilla Day September 24
Zoo Atlanta joins conservation stakeholders, zoos, wildlife organizations and individuals around the world in observing World Gorilla Day. Be part of this third-annual event highlighting gorillas and their habitats and the need to take action for these endangered great apes. Find out more about conservation efforts underway for gorillas, learn about the connection between cell phones and gorillas (and bring a cell phone for recycling), and more. Learn more at zooatlanta.org.
EXPERIENCES
Treetop Trail presented by Kaiser Permanente Climb, zig, zag, zip, and balance at your own pace on an aerial playground in Zoo Atlanta’s KIDZone, and get a new appreciation for the amazing skills and adaptations of tree-dwelling animals. Treetop Trail is presented by Kaiser Permanente and made possible through additional generous support from the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority. Children under 48 inches tall must be accompanied on the course by a parent or adult chaperone. Visit zooatlanta.org to learn more. Tickets are $10.95 for Zoo Atlanta Members; $13.95 for non- Members; does not include general admission.
REGULAR ACTIVITIES
African lion Wild Encounters Meet and feed one of Zoo Atlanta’s brotherhood of African lions in a behind-the-scenes Wild Encounter. Gain a new fascination for Africa’s apex predator and learn more about the challenges lions face in the wild. Participants must be 10 or older. Visit zooatlanta.org for reservations, details and availability.
Aldabra tortoise Wild Encounters Meet and feed one of the famous giants of Aldabra Atoll in an unforgettable Wild Encounter with some of the Zoo’s largest reptiles. Visit zooatlanta.org for reservations, details and availability.
Giant panda Wild Encounters Meet and feed a giant panda on the behind-the-scenes encounter of a lifetime. Visit zooatlanta.org for reservations, details and availability.
Lemur Wild Encounters
Meet and feed some of Madagascar’s most dynamic, charismatic and endangered primates in a memorable behind-the-scenes experience. Visit zooatlanta.org for reservations, details and availability.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS & CAMPS
NightCrawlers: Grades 1-3 September 6, 7, 11, 12, 19, 20, 26
Spend the night in the Zoo! Discover more about the unique adaptations of African elephants and learn fun facts about their care. Enjoy a guided tour of the Zoo with themed activities and an up-close encounter with an animal ambassador. Programs include climate-controlled sleeping facilities, a continental breakfast and the opportunity to enjoy the Zoo the following day. Book a program on zooatlanta.org.
NightCrawlers: Grades 4-5 September 6, 7, 11, 12, 19, 20, 26
Spend the night in the Zoo as you learn about research in the African Savanna, and learn the role technology plays in tracking, observing, and safeguarding endangered species. Programs include climate-controlled sleeping facilities, a continental breakfast and the opportunity to enjoy the Zoo the following day. Book a program on zooatlanta.org.
NightCrawlers: Grades 6-8 September 6, 7, 11, 12, 19, 20, 26
Join an overnight adventure highlighting biodiversity in the African Savanna. Learn about the interesting and sometimes unusual relationships between animals, and find out how all life is connected. Programs include climate-controlled sleeping facilities, a continental breakfast and the opportunity to enjoy the Zoo the following day. Book a program on zooatlanta.org.
NightCrawlers: Grades 9-12 September 6, 7, 11, 12, 19, 20, 26
Spend the night in the Zoo to discover the relationship between wildlife conservation efforts in Africa and the livelihoods of local African people. Explore the challenges, benefits and opportunities of working with African communities to advance conservation efforts. Programs include climate-controlled sleeping facilities, a continental breakfast and the opportunity to enjoy the Zoo the following day. Book a program on zooatlanta.org.
Adventure Cubs September 7 and 17
All explorers ages 0 to 5 and their favorite grownups are invited to a backyard adventure to learn about the biggest birds at the Zoo: ground hornbill, kori bustard and cassowary. Adventure Cubs will engage in an activity, read a story, and create an entry in their Adventure Cubs Memory Book. Topics are designed for ages 2 to 5, with opportunities for exploration for ages 0 to 2. See more and register at zooatlanta.org.
HomeSchool Academy – Fall Exploration Semester September 11
Use Zoo Atlanta as your classroom to learn about different components of biological systems. Each month, students will build on prior knowledge to dive deeper into science concepts and make connections to the natural world. Students can register for individual classes or the entire semester. Register on zooatlanta.org.
Keeper for a Day: Giant Panda September 14
How do you care for a giant panda? Learn about giant panda diets, assist the team with cleaning and caring for the black-and-white bears at Zoo Atlanta, and go behind the scenes to explore the care complex at The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Giant Panda Conservation Center. Participants must be ages 14 and up. Book a program or learn more on zooatlanta.org.
Keeper for a Day: Birds and Reptiles September 14
What does it take to be an animal care professional? Help Zoo animal experts with feeding and daily husbandry. Spend the morning with the Zoo’s feathered flyers; then travel across the Zoo to work with Aldabra giant tortoises and more. Participants must be 14 years old or older. Book a program or learn more on zooatlanta.org.
Twilight Trek September 14 and 27
Venture into the Zoo to explore bones (don’t be scared!) around the Zoo. Join us as we prowl around the Zoo while the sun sets, observing animals at dusk and looking at real animal bones. See more details and register on zooatlanta.org.
Family Zoo Yoga September 14
Families with children ages 4 and up are invited to practice yoga in the Zoo before Zoo Atlanta opens. In September, join a certified yoga instructor to learn poses inspired by the giraffes of the African Savanna. After the class, learn fun facts about the animals and their connections to humans. Themes change monthly. See more details and register on zooatlanta.org.
NEW! Adult Zoo Yoga September 18
Yoga enthusiasts ages 16 and older are invited to spend an evening practicing animal-inspired yoga poses in the Zoo. In September, enjoy the sunset on the all new African Savanna! See more details and register on zooatlanta.org.
Keeper for a Day: Show Birds and Animal Ambassadors September 28
Meet dozens of birds, mammals, reptiles and more! Spend the morning with the Zoo’s education animal ambassadors, and venture behind the scenes to the World of Wild Theater to help with the afternoon presentation. Participants must be at least 14 years old. Book a program on zooatlanta.org.
NightCrawler: Scouts September 28
Calling all Scouts! You’re invited to spend the night in the Zoo to connect to wildlife, learn how you can help species, and work on achieving Petals, Badges, Belt Loops and Pins. Participate as a troop or as individuals. See more and register on zooatlanta.org.
Zoo Atlanta
800 Cherokee Avenue, S.E.
Atlanta, GA 30315
About Zoo Atlanta
A proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the gold standard for animal care and welfare, Zoo Atlanta has a mission to save wildlife and their habitats through conservation, research, education and engaging experiences. The Zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals representing more than 200 species from around the world, many of them endangered or critically endangered. Highlights include giant pandas, including Ya Lun and Xi Lun, the only giant panda twins in the U.S.; one of North America’s largest zoological populations of great apes; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Recent transformations include Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience, home to more than 70 species in the world’s first LEED Gold-certified reptile and amphibian complex. Experiences include behind-the-scenes Wild Encounters with African lions, Aldabra giant tortoises, giant pandas and lemurs. Zoo Atlanta is open year-round with the exceptions of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Keeper Talks, interactive wildlife presentations, education programs and special events run year-round. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.
