Press Releases

The seven zoos in Kansas accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums are working together to evaluate the ornate box turtle population across the state in eight counties. The ornate box turtle is the state reptile of Kansas.

Turtles are the most threatened group of vertebrates worldwide. Nearly 42% of turtle and tortoise species are threatened with extinction (Turtle Conservation Coalition, 2018). There are anecdotal reports of a significant decline in ornate box turtle numbers across the state of Kansas.

To guide conservation management decisions, new baseline population data is needed as the last study reporting population numbers concluded in 1956 and was not considered a viable study as it was only conducted in one county.

The project will be closely supervised by trained staff from the seven accredited zoos and will include a citizen science component designed to engage members of the public in hands-on, meaningful conservation science while increasing awareness and understanding of ornate box turtles. “Engaging citizens in species stewardship and conservation is a proven method of affecting behavior change and positively impacting wildlife,” said Topeka Zoo’s Director of Conservation and Education Dennis Dinwiddie.

Each zoo participating in the project will set up two census plots – one with known ornate box turtle observations (current or historical) and one where the presence of ornate box turtles is unknown. By surveying areas with historical records of ornate box turtles, it will confirm if those populations persist and assess their viability. Choosing a second census plot where the presence of ornate box turtles is unknown will safeguard against biased survey results that would occur if only sites known to contain turtles were surveyed. Censuses will be conducted at scheduled times between early March to early November over the next three years.

This three year project will serve as the first viable ornate box turtle population study ever conducted in Kansas. Data collected will be shared with the Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism and will be used to help guide future conservation management decisions regarding ornate box turtles at both the state and national level.

For additional information about the Ornate Box Turtle Project, contact Dennis Dinwiddie at ddinwiddie@topeka.org or 785-383-6784.

The Topeka Zoo is saddened to report that the staff has made the difficult decision to euthanize Sunda the elephant due to her deteriorating health and quality of life.

On Monday, Sunda was down and unable to get up in her enclosure and had to be lifted up with the help of the Topeka Fire Department. This morning, for the second time, Sunda was down and unable to get up. Sunda has been experiencing health issues and recently underwent a medical procedure to evaluate a sore behind her ear that has been reluctant to heal. She had also been experiencing kidney issues and a mass in her reproductive system. Biopsies and cultures are still pending from that procedure.

“It is hard to lose any animal, especially one who has been at the zoo for as long as Sunda has,” said Zoo Director Brendan Wiley. “Sunda was a wonderful elephant who has had the longest tenure of any animal at this zoo and has brought happiness to so many people who have come to see her. We will all truly miss her.”

Sunda was 58 years old and has called the Topeka Zoo home for 52 years. The median life expectancy for elephants is approximately 46.9 years.edian life expectancy for elephants is approximately 46.9 years.

In coordination with the Shawnee County Reopening Plan, beginning Monday, June 8, the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center will begin reopening some of its buildings. The first buildings to be reopened will include Camp Cowabunga, the Lianas Forest and the Animals and Man building. By the end of next week, the Zoo also plans to reopen the Saving Sharks and Lorikeet Aviary experiences.  During phase three of the reopening plan, building and experience opportunities will be limited to less than 45 people at a time and the zoo will maintain a maximum occupancy of 900 people at any given time.

Monday will also be the debut of the Zoo’s newest resident, a baby black and white ruffed lemur that was born in the early morning hours on Friday May 28 to parents Cleo and Sorabe. This birth marks the first successful breeding of black and white ruffed lemurs at the Topeka Zoo. Black and white ruffed lemurs are an endangered species endemic to the Island of Madagascar. The lemur infant can be viewed daily during normal operating hours at the Zoo’s Animals and Man building beginning June 8 when she is out of the nest box.

Two giraffes at the Topeka zoo are pregnant. Eight-year-old Hope and seven-year-old Abi are both expecting their first calve late spring or early summer.

Many people will remember Hope and the story that surrounded her when she was born. In July 2010, Hope came into this world with a medical complication. Both of her rear legs presented with hyper extended fetlocks. Through a major effort and with the world watching, she beat the odds and overcame the condition. During her treatment, she was the subject matter of local news broadcasts, major networks, and TV specials. Even the today show came to Topeka to share her story.

With life in front of her, Hope represented the future of the giraffe program at the Topeka Zoo. In 2013, Sgt. Peppers, a male reticulated giraffe born at the Oklahoma City Zoo was transferred to the Topeka zoo to be paired with hope. Two years later, Abi, a giraffe from the Albuquerque BioPark Zoo was also transferred to Topeka and together the three giraffe formed the breeding heard that the Topeka Zoo has today. In 2016, the recommendation was made to breed Sgt. Peppers with both Hope and Abi.

Earlier this year, a hormone study showed that both Hope and Abby are pregnant. Gestation in reticulated giraffe is approximately 15 months. The Topeka Zoo is expecting the giraffe calve to be born sometime between May and June.
Both Abby and hope are being closely monitored. A medical team is evaluating their progress and planning for any possible complications.

Over the next month, plans will be announced that will allow the community to watch their progress through WebCams and a rules for a naming contest will be revealed to name one of the calves. The zoo will post regular updates through its social media on the progress of both expecting moms.

Hope – born at the Topeka Zoo on July 11, 2010

Abi (Abiquiu) – born at the Albuquerque BioPark Zoo on April 20, 2013

Sgt Peppers “Sarge” – born at the Oklahoma City Zoo on Jan 17, 2012

The Topeka Zoo wants your old worn out and broken Holiday Lights. Tired of trying to figure out which one of those little bulbs is causing that strand of lights to stay dark? Join the Topeka Zoo’s Holiday Lights Recycling Drive!
The holiday lights recycling drive is designed to prevent thousands of pounds of unused, unwanted, or broken holiday lights from going to a landfill. Through the holiday season when so many holiday lights are found to be broken or unwanted, simply drop them off at the front entrance of the Topeka Zoo. Holiday lights dropped off will be collected and turned in where their parts will be separated, allowing 100% of each light unit to be recycled.
All drop-offs of holiday lights must be deposited in the marked containers at the zoo’s front entrance, and can be accepted at any time of the day seven days a week. Rope lights, garland lights, C7, C9, mini lights, and LED holiday lights are all accepted. Yard light displays can be accepted as long as they contain electric wiring and can be broken down to lay flat for storage and transportation. Please do NOT drop off holiday trees with lights still attached to them. Separate lights from the trees before drop off.
Holiday lights can be turned in for recycling from November 15th, 2018 – January 15th, 2019. Lights cannot be accepted after January 15th.
For questions or more information on the Topeka Zoo’s Holiday Lights Recycling Drive, please contact Dennis Dinwiddie at ddinwiddie@topeka.org, or 785-368-9134.

Veterinary staff at the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center made the difficult decision to euthanize a 16 year-old African Lion named Avus Friday morning. “Avus had been experiencing age-related issues for some time.” said Zoo Director Brendan Wiley. “Earlier this week we noticed a significant decline in his well-being. We did a comprehensive exam and tried new medication but did not see an improvement in his condition. Today is a sad day for our extended zoo family. Avus led an impactful life at our zoo, inspiring guests to care more about wildlife and conservation.”
Avus was born at the Henry Vilas Zoo on October 14, 2004. Following a recommendation from the AZA’s Species Survival Plan, Avus came to Topeka in the summer of 2006 to pair with lionesses Zuri and Asante. In 2007 Avus and Asante had one offspring, Adia, who in turn provided the pair with two grandsons that live in other AZA zoos. Avus was able to see his home at the Topeka Zoo transform with the opening of Camp Cowabunga in 2018. Zuri and Asante are also classified as geriatric at the ages of sixteen years as well. In the wild, the lifespan of lions is a range between 12-15 years of age.
Avus was an easy favorite to staff and guests alike. He had the most amazing eyes and a face framing mane. He was very laid back and known for pretending he didn’t hear zookeepers when it was time to go inside so he could get a few more minutes of sleep. Avus enjoyed enrichment like cologne and taco seasoning, and was excited about participating in training sessions.

Veterinary staff at the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center made the difficult decision to euthanize a thirty year old Malayan Sun Bear named Cup Cake Monday morning. “We knew this day would come,” said Zoo Director Brendan Wiley. “She was already beyond her normal life span when she arrived here two years ago but that doesn’t make it emotionally easier.”
Cup Cake and Ho Ho came to the Topeka Zoo in November of 2017 when their former zoo had to close their previous exhibit for construction reasons. “We talked about it for a long time,” said Wiley. “They were really old but it seemed like the right and fitting thing to do.”
Cup Cake and Ho Ho moved into the exhibit formerly occupied by Tiffany the gorilla. “The keepers in the area had become specialized in working with geriatric animals. We simply thought that if the two bears needed our home and our care to live out their remaining years, we were well equipped to care for them,” said Wiley.
Caring for geriatric animals isn’t unlike caring for geriatric people. “You need a comprehensive view of the animal’s health status,” said staff veterinarian Dr. Shirley Llizo. “In Cup Cake’s case, we dealt with advanced arthritis, severe dental issues and anemia.”
With an established medication regimen paired with a training program, Cup Cake thrived. “One of her favorite things to do was to watch her keepers and train with them,” said Animal Care Supervisor Shanna Simpson.
This past Saturday, Cup Cake was noticed to be limping. By Sunday, a neurological condition had rendered her hind legs useless. Throughout the weekend, additional medications were tried but did not produce noticeable results. Because of the positive relationship between the bear and her keepers, medications were able to be administered by injection and in Strawberry Newtons. Early Monday mornings as the condition progressed with head tremors, the decision was made to humanely euthanize her.

Ho Ho, Cup Cake’s mate (although the two never produced offspring), was allowed to be with her just
before she passed. The two bears were very tightly bonded. Ho Ho’s keepers will be keeping a close eye
on him and giving him a lot of extra love and attention.

Who is going to win the big game on Sunday?  The Topeka Zoo’s orangutans know the answer.  The media is invited to the Topeka Zoo Friday, February 5, 2021 at 10:00 AM to watch the orangutans unveil their answer.  Interested members of the media should arrive at the zoo about 10 minutes before 10:00 and make their way to the Lianas Forest where the zoo’s orangutans live.  The orangutans will reveal the winner promptly at 10:00.

The Topeka Zoo is home to a family group of three Bornean orangutans ranging in age from 7 to 35.  Orangutans are the only great ape native to Asia.  The wild population of orangutans has decreased by 50% over the last sixty years mainly due to habitat loss.  We can help protect orangutans by making sure we utilize products made with sustainable palm oil.

Topeka Collegiate has selected the Topeka Zoo as a recipient of the Collegiate Cares COVID-19 Grant.  These grants are available thanks to the generosity of the Kokari Foundation.

“We’re pleased to support the Topeka Zoo’s online outreach to children and families,” said Dr. Lyn Rantz, Head of School. “Their virtual classes are a great resource – we’re thankful they are sharing the Zoo with all of us online.”

“Our environmental education programming is core to our mission,” said Zoo Director Brendan Wiley.  “I was amazed by how quickly our education team was able to adapt and begin offering this virtual programming that is aligned with state education standards.  We truly appreciate this partnership made possible by Topeka Collegiate and the Kokari Foundation.”

The $1,500 grant award offsets associated costs with the programming and continues the programming through the end of the school year.  The programs can be viewed live through the Topeka Zoo’s Facebook page Monday through Friday at 10:00 AM.  Programs alternate daily progressing through grades Kindergarten through 5^th Grade.  Previous programs can be viewed on the Topeka Zoo’s Education Resource Website: https://topekazoo.org/explore/zooeducationresources/.

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As the only independent college preparatory school in the region, Topeka Collegiate’s mission is to prepare students for advanced education, successful careers and responsible citizenship through a commitment to academic excellence and humanitarian ideals. To learn more, visit www.topekacollegiate.org.

During an incident with a Sumatran tiger on April 20, 2019, a Zoo Keeper at the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center sustained injuries and is currently recovering at a local Topeka hospital. The injured keeper is 40 year-old Kristyn Hayden-Ortega. Kristyn began working with the Topeka Zoo on July 30, 2001.
Kristyn is a passionate and dedicated individual in this field. She has taught and mentored many other zookeepers, educators, interns, and volunteers into becoming ambassadors for animals of all species. Whether training a tiger for a semen collection, a voluntary ultrasound, or working with an African painted dog to allow the use of a stethoscope to listen to his heart, she is very determined which allows her to approach obstacles with a realistic, but also “we’ll try it” outlook. She has a great sense of humor and is a great problem solver.
During Kristyn’s tenure at the zoo:

• She began her employment at the zoo in the zoo’s education department where she helped implement a state wide Safari Edventure Day program. She also made several trips to Paraguay to work with maned wolves and train zoo keepers in South America.
• After transferring to the zoo’s Animal Care Department in 2009, she developed a passion for working with a number of different animals including African painted dogs and Sumatran tigers.
• She is the zoo’s Institutional Representative to and sits on the steering committee of the African Painted Dog Species Survival Plan Steering Committee.
• She recently presented at a conference in Texas on training techniques to enhance reproduction in Sumatran tigers.
• She has traveled to Thailand to work with Asian elephants.
• She was involved with the original release of black-footed ferrets into the Kansas landscape.
• She is the current president of the Topeka Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers.

Kristyn is a highly valued member of our team. She is full of passion and performs great work. It is still uncertain when she will leave the hospital but a full recovery is expected.
Kristyn’s family would like to thank everyone who has sent prayers and well-wishes. At the same time, Kristyn’s family has experienced a traumatic event and needs time to process that. They have asked for privacy and hope the media and public can respect that.