Raising a Kookaburra Ambassador

The animals who call Blank Park Zoo home are true ambassadors for their counterparts in the wild, as well as the cultures they represent. As Iowa's only Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoo, we have an opportunity and a responsibility to provide critical educational programming to our communities about wildlife and cultures the participants may never have had a chance to experience first hand.

In the video above, you can see the impact the birth of a Kookaburra chick can have. This notorious Australian bird helps us tell the story of the Australian environment and the rich heritage surrounding it. One of the chicks born at Blank Park Zoo has moved to our education department to become an ambassador animal. This team travels over 35,000 miles each year to daycares, school, senior centers, and other community centers, bringing live animals for immersive STEM educational programs. Topper, who you will meet in the video above, is now traveling across the state, sharing his story and the stories of many animals just like him. None of these endeavors, however, are possible without the support of our generous community.

As we approach the end of our year, we ask that you consider a gift to Blank Park Zoo so we may continue to inspire an appreciation of the natural world through conservation, education, research, and recreation. Please consider a donation today by clicking here.

Thank you for your support, and have a wonderful holiday season.