Wildest Days at the Zoo in 2019

Our EdZOOcation and Animal Appreciation Days are back again by popular demand! More than 12,600 people of all ages came to last year’s events, and 64 Zoodoptions were also purchased, contributing approximately $2,500 to various conservation organizations the Zoo partners with.

EdZoocation and Animal Appreciation Days are chosen based on animal species currently found at the Zoo and certain conservation and education topics such as palm oil, deforestation, the illegal wildlife trade and more. While you’ll see some of your favorite days back on this year’s schedule, we will also be celebrating other species as well as a few new holidays that will serve to bring our guests closer to nature.

EdZOOcation Days

Learning is always an adventure at the Virginia Zoo! Join us for our EdZOOcation Days to explore animals and their habitats through hands-on activities, crafts, stories, Keeper Chats, Zoodoptions and maybe even up-close encounters with our program animal ambassadors. Contribute directly to the Zoo’s Conservation Fund to help animal-saving efforts around the world and learn about what you can do every day to protect the species you love! These events take place throughout the Zoo on the weekends from 11 am to 2 pm, visit each event page below for more details.

Animal Appreciation Days

We’re also wild about our animals! Help us celebrate some of our favorite Zoo friends and their wild counterparts by joining us for Animal Appreciation Days. Explore all the things that make our animals unique, learn about their threats in the wild, learn what the Zoo and our partners are doing to protect these species and even zoodopt your favorite animal at the event! These events take place throughout the Zoo on weekdays from 11 am to 1 pm, visit each event page below for more details.

Each event, whether it is an EdZoocation or Animal Appreciation event, is free with admission and includes fun, family-friendly activities for kids of all ages. Most importantly, learn about your favorite animals and help support worldwide conservation efforts related to them!