Our Family Tree
Learn about the generous donors who have established charitable funds through Stark Community Foundation.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
1: Red panda
2: White-cheeked gibbons
3: Residents experiencing the DinoTrek Exhibit
4: Third graders from Louisville City Schools visiting the zoo
With up-close animal encounters, immersive exhibits and a pace perfectly suited for young families, the Akron Zoo offers all the adventure without the all-day commitment. Guests can come nose-to-nose with a lion, tong-feed a red panda, watch penguins dive, ride the conservation carousel—and still be home by nap time.
“Visiting the Akron Zoo is great for families with young children,” said Elena Bell, director of marketing and events for the Akron Zoo. “They can come and enjoy the zoo and get back by nap time. We pride ourselves on our intimate experience.”
Beyond the fun and photo ops, every visit supports something bigger. The Akron Zoo’s mission is to connect people’s lives to wildlife while inspiring lifelong learning and empowering conservation actions that protect our planet. Visitors can meet unique animals, learn their stories and discover ways to help protect them—361 days a year. The zoo is only closed for four holidays annually.
ANIMALS AND EXHIBITS
Though considered a small-to-medium-size zoo, the Akron Zoo offers an engaging, hands-on experience to more than 400,000 visitors each year. The 77-acre property—35 of which are developed—is home to over 2,000 animals from around the globe. The collection spans amphibians, birds, fish, invertebrates, mammals and reptiles of all sizes, from grizzly bears and snow leopards to Komodo dragons and giant Pacific octopuses.
The zoo’s animal family continues to grow. In late June, Parker, a white-cheeked gibbon, gave birth to a male baby after an eight-month pregnancy that included regular ultrasounds and even “bump” photos. The zoo recently invited the community to help name the newborn, who is now named Leuco.
Visitors can explore eight distinct areas around the zoo—Curious Creatures, Grizzly Ridge, Komodo Kingdom, Legends of the Wild, Penguin Point, Pride of Africa, Wild Asia and Zoo Gardens— each designed to showcase animals in naturalistic habitats.
“Our animals are our ambassadors for their species across the whole world,” said Bell. "We do our best to create natural habitats and provide daily enrichment that brings out their natural behaviors.”
To keep each visit fresh, the zoo regularly adds special exhibits. From May through mid-September, guests explored DinoTrek, which featured 20 life-size dinosaurs placed throughout the grounds, blending prehistoric encounters with interactive, educational fun.
Behind the scenes, around 150 year-round staff and 100 seasonal employees keep the zoo running smoothly. Animals receive exceptional veterinary care from a dedicated team that includes two veterinarians, three veterinary techs and two zookeepers.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
The Akron Zoo believes learning should extend beyond its gates. In addition to offering informal learning experiences on site, the zoo takes age-specific programs directly into the community through its mobile zoo and partnerships with local school districts, including those in Stark County.
“We have an entire education team whose sole job is to take the zoo to where people are,” Bell explained.
Over the years, the zoo has developed a continuum of education programs that engage learners in a variety of STEM-focused, standards-based education programs that reach learners from preschool through high school. These offerings are organized into four categories:
1. Foundations for Success in STEM introduces the youngest learners to concepts through storytelling, animal encounters and hands-on activities that help them handle school day challenges like anxiety, differences and empathy–building a foundation for both academic and personal growth.
2. Career Exposure gives students across all grade levels the chance to imagine their futures in STEM or wildlife conservation. With opportunities ranging from classroom sessions to job shadowing and internships, these direct experiences give them firsthand experience in fields such as animal care, veterinary science, horticulture and facilities management.
3. Problem-Based Learning encourages students to research, design, prototype and implement real-world solutions to challenges faced by the zoo and the wider community.
4. Out-of-School Experiences extend learning beyond the classroom with summer camps and family-engaged opportunities that help bridge learning gaps during school breaks.
Together, these programs allow learners of all ages to connect with animals, science and conservation in ways that spark curiosity, build empathy and strengthen problem-solving skills—both inside the zoo and throughout the community.
SUSTAINABILITY
At the Akron Zoo, conservation is more than a mission—it’s a way of life.
The zoo was the first in the world to use an aerobic composter, affectionately known as Big Hanna, which transforms organic waste into nutrient-rich compost and diverts tons from landfills each year.
By reducing methane emissions, its composting program helps combat climate change, benefiting both the local community and wildlife worldwide. Even the zoo’s paper products are corn-based and enrich the soil in the zoo’s flower beds.
“We are looking to be more sustainable to conserve our natural resources,” added Bell. “Something as simple as collecting aluminum cans––we recycle them and use the funds to plant trees in the Brazilian rainforest. This is a small way for people to make a big impact.”
The zoo continues to find innovative ways to shrink its environmental footprint, from installing solar panels and low-flow water fixtures to adopting other eco-friendly practices—proving that even small changes can have a big impact.
FUTURE PLANS
The Akron Zoo is taking a major leap forward with the construction of a new, state-of-the-art, 11,949-square-foot animal hospital. Replacing a 30-year-old facility originally built for just 100 animals, the nearly $12 million hospital will open in 2026 and include specialized spaces for birds, hoofstock, primates, large carnivores and other species. The new hospital will also feature a modern surgery suite and an intensive care unit—elevating the zoo’s ability to deliver the best animal care.
Looking further ahead, the zoo’s next capital campaign, Reaching New Heights, will expand the campus by 10 acres by 2028. A centerpiece of the campaign will be a new African savannah exhibit—complete with giraffes and other iconic species—giving guests even more opportunities for unforgettable encounters.
GET INVOLVED
There are various ways to connect with the Akron Zoo: you can plan a visit to experience the animals firsthand, attend special events like seasonal celebrations and tours, spend time volunteering and donate to animal care, conservation and education efforts.
To learn more, visit akronzoo.org.