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Salute to Our Heroes 2025
Press Release
Friday, November 7, 2025
Salute to Our Heroes 2025
Salute to Our Heroes: Blank Park Zoo Honors Veterans and Active-Duty Military with Free Admission DES MOINES, Iowa (November 7, 2025) – Blank Park Zoo will honor the service and sacrifices of veterans and active-duty military members this Veterans Day Weekend with its Salute to Our Heroes. From Saturday, November 8 through Tuesday, November 11, the Zoo will offer free admission to all veterans and active-duty military personnel. Add... Read More
Wild Iowa Groundbreaking
Press Release
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Wild Iowa Groundbreaking
Blank Park Zoo Breaks Ground on Ruan Foundation Wild Iowa and Launches 60th Anniversary Celebration Next Phase of the $18 Million Expand the Impact Campaign Will Highlight Iowa’s Native Wildlife and Local Conservation DES MOINES, Iowa (November 6, 2025) – Blank Park Zoo is celebrating a new chapter in its history with the groundbreaking of Ruan Foundation Wild Iowa and the official launch of the Zoo’s 60th Anniversary Celebration. It marks the next major milestone in Blank P... Read More
Night Eyes 2025
Press Release
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Night Eyes 2025
New Halloween Adventures Come Alive at Dino Park Zoo Celebrating 35 years of Halloween festivities with new surprises for all ages DES MOINES, Iowa (September 24, 2025) – Before Dino Park Zoo transforms back into Blank Park Zoo, the dinosaurs have one more surprise for zoo guests. Iowa’s Sweetest Halloween Tradition goes Jurassic, as the prehistoric party animals add their own twist to the Zoo’s popular fall event, Night Eyes: Dinosaur Adventure, presented by T-Fiber. For 35... Read More
Zoo Welcomes Baby Japanese Macaque
Press Release
Monday, July 14, 2025
Zoo Welcomes Baby Japanese Macaque
Dino Park Zoo Welcomes Adorable Baby Japanese Macaque Guests Can Visit Newborn “Taro” and His Mother, Anika, All Summer DES MOINES, Iowa (July 14, 2025) – There is more than just dinosaurs taking over Blank Park Zoo; a baby Japanese macaque has been born at the zoo. The baby, named Taro, was born on June 17, 2025, and his mother, Anika, is showing strong maternal behaviors as she cares for her first baby. The name Taro is of Japanese origin, meaning “eldest son.”... Read More
Addax Calf Born at Blank Park Zoo
Press Release
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Addax Calf Born at Blank Park Zoo
Critically Endangered Antelope Born at Blank Park Zoo  Addax Calf Named “Henri” Highlights Global Conservation Effort   DES MOINES, Iowa (June 19, 2025) – A species nearly erased from the wild just got a little stronger. Des Moines’ Blank Park Zoo is celebrating the arrival of a male addax calf, Henri. He was born as part of a global effort to save one of the world’s most endangered antelopes. Henri is the second addax calf born at Blank Park Zoo in the... Read More
Shark Sighting!
Press Release
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Shark Sighting!
Shark Sighting! Blank Park Zoo Makes A Splash With Its Newest Residents Bamboo sharks, Snoopy and Pluto, now call Blank Park Zoo home   DES MOINES, Iowa (June 17, 2025) – You won’t need a bigger boat to meet these sharks, just a trip to Blank Park Zoo! The zoo is turning up the excitement just in time for summer with the addition of bamboo sharks, Snoopy and Pluto.  The sharks have moved into the zoo’s big reef aquarium inside the Discovery Center. While they may n... Read More
New Male Eastern Black Rhino Arrives
Press Release
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
New Male Eastern Black Rhino Arrives
Blank Park Zoo Welcomes New Male Eastern Black Rhino Critically endangered eastern black rhino arrives from Cincinnati Zoo to support breeding efforts and inspire conservation   DES MOINES, Iowa (June 11, 2025) – A new male rhino has arrived at Blank Park Zoo. Known simply as “AJ,” Ajani Joe was born in Cincinnati on August 21, 2020. His name means “he who wins the struggle” in Swahili. AJ will play a vital role in helping the zoo maintain a genetically dive... Read More
Our Biggest Summer Yet!
Press Release
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Our Biggest Summer Yet!
Blank Park Zoo Kicks Off Summer with Expanded Hours, New Animals and Experiences DES MOINES, Iowa (May 22, 2025) – Summer has arrived at Blank Park Zoo, and Iowa’s Wildest Adventure is kicking off the season with expanded hours, new animals, and exciting new experiences for all ages. This summer promises to be unlike any other at the Des Moines zoo. Families and animal lovers will find even more reasons to visit, including a brand-new toucan habitat featuring two green aracaris in... Read More
Lion Conservation Center Groundbreaking
Press Release
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Lion Conservation Center Groundbreaking
Blank Park Zoo Breaks Ground on Major Expansion to Help Save African Lions The New Facility Will Provide More Space For The Lions, Increasing Capacity   DES MOINES, Iowa (May 20, 2025) – A new facility to help with the conservation of African lions has broken ground in the heart of Iowa. Blank Park Zoo held a ceremonial groundbreaking today for the Marjorie A. Foster Lion Conservation Center, which will more than triple the zoo’s space for African lions and expand its role in... Read More
21 Years of Zoo Brew
Press Release
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
21 Years of Zoo Brew
Blank Park Zoo Celebrates 21 Years of Zoo Brew with a Stacked Lineup of Live Music Iowa’s Favorite 21+ Summer Tradition Returns with Limited-Time Season Pass Sale   DES MOINES, Iowa (May 6, 2025) – It’s the event that made the zoo cool again for grown-ups, and now it’s finally old enough to raise a toast. Zoo Brew, Blank Park Zoo’s signature 21+ summer series, turns 21 this year, and it’s throwing its biggest birthday bash yet.   Launche... Read More

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