Zoo News

Make your wild Zoo adventures last all year by purchasing a Virginia Zoo Membership! Membership benefits include free daily general admission year-round, free or discounted admission to Zoo events, and 50% off admission to over 150 other AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums nationwide. Best of all, a portion of your membership supports our Conservation Fund!

Enrichment is a dynamic process that structures and changes an animal’s environment to provide choices and encourage species-appropriate behaviors. This process greatly enhances animal welfare by keeping them mentally and physically fit! Our animal care teams compiled an Amazon wish list of enrichment items ranging from cologne for the lions to puzzle feeders for the Animal Ambassadors. Your contributions will further the exceptional care that Virginia Zoo animals receive every day. Click here for their wish list.  

Not only does shopping at the Virginia Zoo Gift Shop support the daily operations of your Zoo, but it also supports small businesses from across Hampton Roads and beyond, like Norfolk Candle Co., Tied in Knots, or Cedar + Pearl Ornaments! This means your Gift Shop purchases really are the gifts that keep on giving back — to your loved ones, to your Zoo, and to your community. Plus, some items from the Gift Shop are now available online at virginiazoogiftshop.com, meaning shopping is more accessible than ever before in our 125-year history!

Here at the Virginia Zoo, we offer tours with Aldabra tortoises, birds of prey, an Asiatic black bear, two-toed sloths, Malayan tapirs, and more. Funds raised from these tours support our Zoo Keeper Internship Program which offers participants specialized training in animal care and applied behavioral management. Help us train the animal care professionals of tomorrow — give the gift of a Behind-the-Scenes tour today!  

The Virginia Zoo spells conservation with three C’s — care, community, and connection. During Safari Camp programs, your child gains a new appreciation for how we care for Zoo residents, connects with animals during exclusive behind the scenes experiences, and joins our community of burgeoning conservationists. We hope these programs inspire the next generation to become lifelong Virginia Zoo supporters! 

Bring your brand to life by sponsoring a species at the Virginia Zoo! Not only will your business gain powerful marketing exposure, but you will also support conservation and education across Hampton Roads. Plus, you’ll receive unique benefits for your employees, like discounted memberships, reusable guest passes, and general admission tickets, which will strengthen your workplace culture and employee engagement. This gift gives back to the Zoo, conservation efforts, your local community, and your team! 

Contact our Development team at [email protected] for more information.

The Virginia Zoo hosts several fundraiser events throughout the year, from Tails & Trails: Dog Day at the Zoo to ZooBoo. We also offer birthday parties and venue rentals, so you can show guests a wild time while simultaneously supporting your Zoo! Proceeds from these special events go to our Annual Fund to further our mission and daily operations.

Bring your favorite Virginia Zoo animal home by symbolically adopting them, digitally or physically, to learn more about their species. A portion of every Zoodoption supports the Virginia Zoo’s Conservation Fund and Keeper Fund — doubling your impact! The Conservation Fund supports efforts to save wildlife and their habitats around the world, while the Keeper Fund allows our animal care teams to provide outstanding, individualized care to every resident Zoo animal.  

Make an indelible mark on Virginia Zoo history by sponsoring a bench or brick! These enduring fixtures allow you to dedicate a piece of the Zoo to remember your loved one, celebrate a major milestone, or honor a passionate environmentalist.

Contact our Development Team at [email protected] for more information! 

Give your pride the gift of visiting the Virginia Zoo! Gift tickets are available for purchase online, and they may be used up to 365 days from the date of purchase. Gift tickets can even be used to attend events that are free with general admission, like Noon Year’s Eve, Party for the Planet, or Teddy Bear Clinic! Every ticket sold includes a $2.05 Conservation & Technology Fee which supports conservation initiatives worldwide and allows us to provide a seamless reservation experience for guests. 

Looking for a simple way to give the gift of the Virginia Zoo to members of your herd? Look no further than a gift card! Virginia Zoo Gift Cards support our daily operations, and they can be used in the Gift Shop, Membership Office, food service locations, or on the Virginia Zoo Express train. Plus, you can purchase a physical card in the Membership Office, or have your gift emailed directly to your recipient. General admission tickets cannot be purchased using a gift card. 

The Virginia Zoo Annual Fund consists of discretionary funds that allow the Virginia Zoological Society, the nonprofit portion of your Zoo, to create meaningful experiences that bring families together, inspire the next generation of environmentalists through educational programs, and advance conservation efforts globally. We are so grateful for your generosity.  

In Fall 2025, we initiated our Round Up Program at all registers in the Virginia Zoo Gift Shop and food service locations. Now, with every purchase made at the Zoo, YOU can support wildlife conservation by rounding up your total to the nearest dollar. Together, small donations can amplify our impact on wildlife conservation efforts locally and around the world! Starting October 1, 2026, your rounded up purchases will support one of the Virginia Zoo’s conservation partners, the Red Panda Network!