What's New at the Zoo?

The Butterfly and Insect Pavilion Opens
to the Public on Saturday, May 17

The 14,000 square foot, total immersion exhibit is located between the Scott Aquarium and the Giraffe Complex. This magical exhibit will feature a Butterfly Conservatory, Conservation Promenade, Chrysalis Hatching Room, Insect Zoo, Giraffe Observation Walk and Lower Level Amphibian Conservation area. Come Watch the Magic Unfold on May 17.

Be Part of the Magic at
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo

As you may have heard, something magical is about to happen at Omaha's Zoo! The Butterfly and Insect Pavilion will spring to life with thousands of breathtaking butterflies, amazing insects, endangered amphibians and exotic birds.

Be part of the magic! Help us reach our final Butterfly campaign goal by adopting your very own butterfly. Gifts of $150 or more received by May 15, 2008 will be commemorated with a custom brass butterfly, individually engraved with your name. Each 4" butterfly plaque will be permanently mounted outside of the Butterfly and Insect Pavilion. 

Celebrate a special occasion, or honor family and friends. A special letter will be sent to each individual or family being honored. This is a one-time-only opportunity! Your contribution will help this amazing exhibit take flight and allow our community to witness the wonder of these delicate and elusive creatures. Remember, your tax-deductible contribution must be received by May 15. Please click here to make your donation now.

Thank you in advance for your support. Your gift will launch another state-of-the-art exhibit and your brass butterfly will be a visual reminder of your community pride for Omaha's Zoo!  If you have any questions about your butterfly adoption, please call the Omaha Zoo Foundation at (402) 738-2073.

Omaha's Zoo Scientist Helps Develop New Model for Saving Biodiversity in Madagascar

A team of scientists from across the world, including Dr. Ed Louis of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo Center for Conservation and Research, have completed an important and unprecedented survey of Madagascar's thousands of endangered plant and animal species as published this week in the journal, Science.

Dr. Claire Kremen of the University of California at Berkeley led a team of 22 international researchers, including Dr. Louis, to pull together detailed data to determine the exact location of 2,315 species across island. Using specially designed computer software, the crew identified the plants and animals that had suffered the greatest loss and developed a map that highlights the most important areas to conserve.

Conservation efforts have traditionally focused on setting aside a portion of land to protect a single species, while the new Madagascar research shows that conserving the habitat of only one group excluded up to 50% of rare species from other groups. Giving priority to one group in any given area of Madagascar would exclude up to 39% of all species, the project found.

The study will guide Madagascar conservation efforts as it seeks to triple the area of land under protection to 10 percent. The Malagasy government will choose which areas to protect by the end of 2008, in order for them to be made into national parks by 2012. The Malagasy government has already committed themselves to protecting 10% of the island by 2012 and the new analysis will help them identify the most species-diverse areas. To date, 6.3% of Madagascar has been made into national parks, leaving 3.7% to be assigned.

Become a Member of Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo

Omaha's Zoo Household memberships for the 2008 season are available for purchase for $78.

Household memberships allow unlimited admission for two adults and dependent children or grandchildren 20 years of age and under from one household through March 31, 2009. One valid cardholder must be present for admission. (This is a non-transferable and non-refundable card.) Click here to learn more about memberships or purchase a membership online, please click here.

2008 Year of the Frog!

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo is joining the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Amphibian Ark in highlighting 2008 as Year of the Frog, marking a major conservation effort to address the amphibian extinction crisis and engage the public in amphibian conservation. To learn more about the amphibian crisis, please click here.

DID YOU KNOW? The Wyoming toad was once thought to be completely extinct, but is now only found near Wyoming’s Laramie Basin due to extensive recovery efforts by Omaha’s Zoo and other zoos.

Now Playing

Wild Ocean 3D: Where Africa Meets the Sea

Each year an unbelievable feeding frenzy takes place in the oceans of South Africa as billions of sardines migrate up the Kwazulu-Natal Coast. Wild Ocean 3D captures spectacular breaching whales, feeding sharks, diving gannets, and massive bait balls inside and up close on the giant screen.

The migration has provided an annual food source for both life in the sea and the people living along the African shores for countless generations. The film demonstrates how business, government, and the local people have joined forces to protect this invaluable ecological resource. Wild Ocean 3D will delve audiences into an epic underwater struggle for survival and reveal the economic and cultural impact the migration has on the coastal communities. Click here to see the IMAX schedule.

Touch Tank Is Open

Visit the bean shaped, 300-gallon aquarium tank located in the orientation area of the Scott Aquarium daily from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Visitors will have the opportunity to touch various live moving sharks, stingrays and crabs.

It’s here! Your address for comprehensive planned giving information, www.omahazoofoundation.org.

Pick Your Giving Club Today!
Build the future of Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo with a gift to support
our world-class facility.

Your gift will:

• Benefit world-class immersion exhibits
• Provide state-of-the-art animal housing and care
• Provide outstanding education opportunities for both children and adults
• Promote wildlife conservation efforts here and around the world
• Help maintain our beautiful Zoo
• Help us grow and improve our programs and immersion exhibits

In addition, donors in each of the levels of distinction will be listed on a special donor wall located on the Desert Dome Plaza.

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo has grown and prospered over the past several decades, becoming one of the largest, most respected and most environmentally active zoos in the world. We've also continued to thrive as one of the area's most popular family destinations, attracting more than 1.3 million visitors annually. But we need your help to stay true to our mission of conservation, research, recreation and education. Your continued generosity will ensure our future and help establish your legacy to the community and the environment.

Please consider supporting Omaha's Zoo, in addition to your membership, by giving to our Annual Fund campaign. You may make your gift by mailing: Omaha Zoo Foundation, 3701 S. 10th St, Omaha, NE 68107 or online using our secure form at www.omahazoofoundation.org, just click the tiger paw!

You can receive monthly zoo news updates through e-mail. If you would like updates on zoo reminders and events, e-mail hdzpromo@omahazoo.com and type "E-mail list" in the subject heading and include your name. To receive special notifications through regular mail, please include your name and mailing address.

Copyright © 1999-2008 Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo & Lozier IMAX® Theater. All rights reserved.