The Maryland Zoo

Join us at Peabody Heights Brewery for a #sundayfunday on August 4 from 2-6 pm. It's free and open to all! There’ll be crafts for kids, animal trivia, a food truck, a penguin conservation presentation, and special visits by two super swimmers - Baltimore hero, Katie Pumphrey, and an African penguin from our Animal Embassy. You can also enjoy a limited release pale ale. Called Sweet Pea’s Promise, the beer is named for a penguin chick called "Peabody" but known affectionately by her keepers as Sweet Pea. The light, crisp pale ale is low in alcohol (5.0% ABV) and high in summer drinkability. In a nod to one of the penguins’ favorite fish, Sweet Pea’s Promise is made from a new kind of hops, called Anchovy Hops, that infuse the beer with subtle hints of melon, hard candy, and pine. There are also plenty of non-alcoholic options, too!

Each year, The Daily Record compiles a list of people who have made our state a better place. They reserve a special Circle of Influence to honor those who have made the list multiple times. We're proud to share that our President & CEO, Kirby Fowler, was named to the Circle of Influence for a career that is consistently helping Baltimore and Maryland thrive. “The 2024 Influential Marylanders are, quite simply, inspirational. Their hard work and dedication to their fields have changed the landscape of Maryland through their extraordinary efforts,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, managing director of The Daily Record. “They make a difference in communities throughout the state every day. The Daily Record congratulates this year’s honorees.” Contratulations to all the exceptional people receiving this honor: https://lnkd.in/gr_4P5gK

The number of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) at our Zoo just grew by one. We're thrilled to announce that chimpanzee, Rozi, gave birth on June 10th. Rozi (pronounced like Rosie) and her infant did well initially, but after a few weeks we noticed a decline in the infant's health and became concerned that she was not receiving enough of her mother’s milk. Our veterinarians stabilized her and keepers have been providing around the clock care behind the scenes until the baby is strong enough to rejoin Rozi and the troop. As for the baby’s name, that's up to you to decide. Look for details about the baby’s progress and the timing of a naming contest at www.MarylandZoo.org and across our social channels. Rozi was approved for breeding by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Program. She is genetically compatible with all three of the Zoo’s breeding males. The identity of the father is awaiting testing. Her infant will join our three other juvenile chimps: Lola, who was born in July 2019 (to Zoo parents Bunny and Jack); Violet was born in December of 2019 (to Zoo parents Raven and Louie); and, Maisie was born in August 2020 (mother is at the Oklahoma Zoo) and came to Maryland Zoo in September of that year. 

From one top institute of learning to another! Loyola Blakefield is supporting Keeper Chats - the best way to learn all about the animals in our care directly from the people who know them best. There are multiple keeper chats each day and, thanks to Loyola Blakefield, they're free with gate admission! Plan your next visit here: https://lnkd.in/e44-b79u

...and, scene! It was a pleasure to be the first #zoo chosen as a filming location by Antiques Roadshow. They took over historic Main Valley for a fun day of taping with 2,200 guests and thousands of unique items for appraisal. We welcomed the chance to show them the important animal wellbeing and conservation work being done at Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited facilities. Look for our three episodes during the Roadshow's 2025 season.

We're pleased to announce the hatching of two trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator). The hatchlings, called cygnets, emerged after more than 30 days of incubation in their huge nest located in the Farmyard section of our Zoo. You can check them out using our new nest cam: https://lnkd.in/ef2mavMw This is the eighth clutch by our adult swans who have played an outsized role in the conservation of their species. Both of last year's cygnets were released into the wild by Oregon's Department of Natural Resources. This year one will be released in Oregon and the other will join a breeding population as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Trumpeter Swan Species Survival Plan.

On June 6, go behind the scenes to meet our animals and learn about how we care for them directly from our Zookeepers. https://lnkd.in/egFG2T_Z Choose from experiences that include a tour of our hospital or personal sessions with chimpanzees, an amur leopard, otters & bobcats, okapi & lions, white rhinos, elephants, or giraffe. This one of a kind, after-hours event includes food & drinks, live music, a silent auction for a chance to name a penguin chick, and the coolest animal encounters anywhere.

Once again we've teamed up with WJZ | CBS News Baltimore for School at the Zoo! Gather the kids and tune in on Saturday, May 25 at 7:30 pm for this fun, fast, and informative half hour TV special. The show pairs Zoo experts with station anchors, reporters, and meteorologists to create unique lessons about biology, ecology, animal conservation, and weather. Actual field trip students took part in the lessons, which were held in outdoor “classrooms” throughout the Zoo. #SchoolAtTheZoo #allforanimals #animalconservation Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Our seabird experts took part in the annual bird census off the coast of South Africa and Namibia - the only place in the world you'll find wild African penguins. As you can see in the before and after images, the penguin colonies there are struggling. https://lnkd.in/eMRXdidB Mercury Island (shown here) is the hardest hit. It had more than 3,000 breeding pairs of penguins (more than 50% of the entire population in Namibia) in the early 2000s. Last December’s census found no active nests. These birds' conservation status is expected to move from "endangered" to "critically endangered" and they could be extinct in the wild within a decade unless dramatic improvements happen. There are simple but important things you can do to help. Consult Seafood Watch to purchase only sustainable seafood. Also, simply by visiting our Zoo you support conservation work that includes founding a new seabird rescue center in Namibia that's already making a difference on the island colonies. You can also book a penguin encounter to experience these amazing birds up close and learn about how our breeding program will, one day, repopulate the birds in the wild. https://lnkd.in/ePvnzZjW #penguins #africanpenguins #allforanimals Association of Zoos and Aquariums #maryland #baltimore #conservation #animalconservation

Anyone can have a cookout on Memorial Day weekend. And that pool will be there for you all season. So, treat yourself to something really cool... Kick of the summer with Brew at the Zoo. Baltimore's biggest craft beer festival is back May 25 & 26 with beers (and wine & hard seltzer), bands, and excellent food. All proceeds benefit our animal and conservation programs. Ticket info is @marylandzoo.org/events. NEW this year, VIP tickets include insider activities, exclusive brew stations, and a private waterfront lounge with catering behind the main stage. VIP’s can also choose to add unique animal experiences as part of their day. BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND this year, there will be drink stations throughout the Zoo that pair delicious drinks with fun animal activities. (Imagine enjoying a watermelon seltzer during the elephant watermelon smash!) Discounted tickets are also available for designated drivers and people under the age of 21. And you can skip the entry line by bringing an old cellphone or small electronic device for recycling. Special thanks to M&T Bank and all the regional businesses who help make Brew at the Zoo possible. #allforanimals #beer #craftbeer #baltimore #memorialday24 #conservationevent #marylandzoo #livebands #music #foodtrucks