
Zoo-a-thon
Zoo-a-thon is back!
Zoo-a-thon 2023 is a two-day crowdfunding campaign focused on raising funds for animal enrichment.
As an integral part of providing exceptional animal care, animal enrichment offers a creative outlet for physical activity and mental exercise, offering more choices for animals on how they spend their time. A few examples include puzzle feeders that encourage animals to forage for food; climbing structures that enhance habitats and provide exercise opportunities; and training sessions where animals can interact with keepers.
Join us on March 17 and 18 for two fun-filled days supporting the Zoo. Be sure to check out special keeper chats and a variety animal enrichment sessions, including animals painting, walking on the main path, going through obstacle courses, and more, throughout the two-day celebration. On Friday at 11:00 am at KidZooU, mural artists from VURT Creative will be onsite for the first-ever art collaboration between humans and animals at the Zoo. Donate $75 or more and enter for a chance to win!
Scan any QR code on campus during your visit on Friday & Saturday, donate any amount, and enter to win a one-of-a-kind painting by VURT Creative! Plus, get these special incentives for donations of $25 or more:
$25 | Entered to win one (1) Family Deluxe Membership$50
$50 | One (1) Zoo tote bag
$75 | One (1) Zoo tote bag and one (1) entry to win a unique piece of human/animal collaborative art. The collaborative project will be created by one of our Zoo animals and an artist representing VURT Creative
$100 | One (1) Zoo tote bag, one (1) entry to win a unique piece of human/animal collaborative art, one(1) Zoo tumbler, and one (1) mystery animal plushie
$250 | One (1) Zoo tote bag, one (1) entry to win a unique piece of human/animal collaborative art, one (1) Zoo tumbler, one (1) mystery animal plushie, and one (1) Zoo baseball cap
$500 | One (1) Zoo tote bag, One (1) entry to win a unique piece of human/animal collaborative art, one (1) Zoo tumbler, one (1) mystery animal plushie, one (1) Zoo baseball cap, and one (1) priceless animal photo* (*This one-of-a-kind 8×10 photo of an animal who calls Philadelphia Zoo home is limited to the FIRST 150 gifts of $500+)

Zoo-a-thon Schedule
Friday, March 17
10:00 am – Rare Animal Conservation Center Keeper Chat & Puzzle Feeders with Francois Langurs
10:00 am – Big Cat Feeding Pole Enrichment at Big Cat Falls
11:00 am – Press Event: Rabbit Painting at KidZooU
11:00 am – Reptile House Keeper Chat
11:15 am – Bear Country Keeper Chat & Andean Bear Peanut Butter Feeding on Glass
11:30 am – Alpaca or Goat walk from KidZooU
12:00 pm – Domestic Rat Enrichment at KidZooU
12:30 pm – Red Panda Feeding at Water is Life
1:00 pm – Penguin Keeper Chat & Feeding at Penguin Point
1:30 pm – Big Cat Milk Feeding in Zoo360 Trail Behind Tiger Terrace
2:00 pm – Rabbit Obstacle Course inside KidZooU
2:30 pm – Gorilla Keeper Chat at PECO Primate Reserve
3:00 pm – Bird Feeding Inside McNeil Avian Center Rainforest
Saturday, March 18
10:00 am – Rare Animal Conservation Center Keeper Chat & Sloth Feeding
10:30 am – “Mini” big cat feeding pole enrichment inside Big Cat Falls
11:00 am – Reptile House Keeper Chat
11:15 am – Bear Country Keeper Chat
11:30 am- Alpaca or Goat walk from KidZooU
12:00 pm – Giant River Otter Feeding at Water is Life
12:30 pm – Red Panda Feeding at Water is Life
1:00 pm – Penguin Keeper Chat & Feeding
1:30 pm – Big Cat Milk Feeding in Zoo360 Trail Behind Tiger Terrace
2:00 pm – Golden Lion Tamarin & Saki Monkey Feeding Inside PECO Primate Reserve
2:30 pm – Gorilla Keeper Chat at PECO Primate Reserve
3:00 pm – Bird Feeding Inside McNeil Avian Center Rainforest
Please note: all listed events are subject to change without advance notice.




Be a Zoo-a-thon Fundraiser!
Help us spread the word and inspire others to support the work of the Zoo.
We’re thrilled to announce our NEW peer-to-peer/community fundraising platform! Build your own custom fundraising page to share with friends and family. Help us kick off this new platform by becoming a 2023 Zoo-a-thon fundraising partner—supporting the Zoo and sharing your love of animals has never been easier! All gifts made by March 18 support Zoo-a-thon. Prizes will be awarded to top fundraisers. Click here to get started or contact Melissa Samango at [email protected] for more information.
The impactful work of Philadelphia Zoo is not possible without the support of our donors. All gifts make a difference, and we thank you for your support!