ZOO MIAMI'S COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION

SHOWS

ANIMAL PRESENTATIONS NEAR THE SAMI AMPHITHEATER
During animal presentations at the Banyan Tree by the Sami Amphitheater, visitors can witness the natural behaviors of a number of exotic birds, reptiles and mammals.  Guests will be amazed and learn from the experienced animal trainers with every encounter.  Presentation times are 12 and 2 p.m. daily.

ANIMAL TALES AT THE CHILDREN'S ZOO
During Animal Tales at the Children's Zoo, guests can learn from knowledgeable zookeepers about local and exotic wildlife at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. daily.

ZOO SQUAD MEET-AND-GREETS, presented by Walmart
Guests of every age will enjoy meeting the costumed characters of the Zoo Squad across from the Asian Elephants.  Gigi the giraffe, Kaz the rhino and Pio the oxpecker will certainly bring a smile to your face on weekdays at 10:45 a.m. and 3 p.m. and on holidays and weekends at 1:30 p.m.

KEEPER TALKS
Talk to the animal keepers and learn more about the zoo's fascinating animals.  Keeper talks and animal feedings begin at 10:30 a.m. and run until 3 p.m. daily. Some feedings only take place weekends and holidays, so guests should check the adventure guide provided at the entrance. You'll find it hard to pull yourself away from the keepers and the tigers, orangutans, meerkats, Asian and African elephants, pygmy hippopotamus, chimpanzees, gorillas, harpy eagles, chimpanzees, and many more fascinating animals. 

EDUCATION
Education was never as much fun as the zoo's highly interactive, animal-related education programs, including Zoo Tots Slumber Safari (sleepover) and Wild Nights (evening tours).and a host of other family and adult programs. Zoofari spring, winter and summer camps give children a unique, fun and educational way to occupy themselves during school vacation.  Classroom adventures are available to public and private schools and are designed for ages 4 – 13 years of age.  For information, call the Education Department at (305) 255-5551.

CONSERVATION
Zoo Miami does more than simply display animals.  The mission of Zoo Miami and the Zoological Society of Florida is to encourage an appreciation for the world's wildlife and help conserve it for future generations.  The zoo plays an integral role in the ever-growing global effort to understand, preserve and propagate the world's rare and endangered wildlife.  Zoo Miami has won a number of awards for the successful breeding of rare and endangered species, such as the Komodo dragon, Cuban crocodiles and Matschie's tree kangaroos.  The zoo's collection of more than 2,000 specimens represents over 400 species of animals, 120 of which are listed in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-approved studbooks, and 46 AZA Species Survival Plans (SSP).  Each SSP is designed to maintain the genetic diversity and stable population demographics of some of the most critically endangered animals on our planet. Not only are our animals managed with studbooks, but we have a few studbook keepers at the zoo who manage these important populations.

Zoo Miami is expanding its green efforts, including a recently created Green Team that is charged with changing the practices at the facility to create the “greenest” zoo possible. Because the facility is dedicated to education and conservation, this is an important initiative for us. We would like to educate all of the more than 950,000 annual guests that come to the zoo about our green efforts.

Many of Zoo Miami's conservation and research efforts are spearheaded by the zoo's own dedicated professionals. Zoo Miami has recently created a Conservation and Research Department which is involved in regional, national and international projects.  You can learn more about these programs at zoomiamiconservation.com.  The zoo also directly supports programs around the globe led by world-renowned conservation organizations and conservation experts. In all cases, we form critical partnerships with other scientists, conservationists, and governmental and non-governmental organizations to help save the endangered plants, animals and ecosystems of the world. 

A MAJOR CULTURAL INSTITUTION
In 2003, Zoo Miami was designated a major cultural institution by the American Association of Museums, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs Council, Miami-Dade County's mayor and the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners.  The designation as a major cultural institution was based on the zoo's full and regular seasons of cultural programs open to the general public; the impact of its programming of county-wide, regional and national significance; its highly rated educational programs; and active cultural programming which advances the zoo's mission of encouraging an appreciation for the world's wildlife and helping to conserve it for future generations – which has a significant impact both within the zoo's field of endeavor and within the local community.  The four hands-on, interactive galleries at Zoo Miami not only entertain, but also provide educational insights on many aspects of the world's wildlife, history, culture, and science.

CONTACT: 
Cindy Castelblanco / Susana Cortázar 
Zoological Society of Florida / Zoo Miami 
Ph: (305) 255-5551 ext. 111 / (305) 251- 0400 ext. 84948 
E-mail: cindyc@zsf.org / susanac@miamidade.gov