Discover The Wild

Each month, Blank Park Zoo invites you to Discover the Wild! Meet amazing animals, explore hands-on learning activities, and uncover the connections between wildlife and conservation.

Join us each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to explore Blank Park Zoo’s conservation priorities during our Discover the Wild Days. Discover, Connect, and Take Action by learning about the animals in our care, the conservation organizations we support, how we care for each species, and how AZA-accredited zoos work together for the survival of wildlife.

Every month features a different animal and includes an at-home activity and downloadable education guide so you can keep exploring long after your visit.

January – Coral

Coral may look like a plant, but it’s actually made up of tiny animals called polyps that form reefs. Learn how coral reefs protect coastlines, support marine life, and what you can do to help them thrive.
Discover the Wild Day: Saturday, January 25, 2025
Coral education guide

February – Big Cats

Blank Park Zoo is home to Lions, Tigers, and Snow Leopards. Discover how we care for the big cats that call the Zoo home and learn how to take action, to positively impact wildlife and habitats.
Discover the Wild Day: Saturday, February 8, 2025
BIG CATS Education Guide

March – Frogs

Discover how Blank Park Zoo cares for frogs at the Zoo. Connect and develop an understanding for communities living in the home ranges of Panamanian golden frogs, and learn how to take action to make changes in your daily lives to positively impact local wildlife and habitats.
Discover the Wild Day: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Frog Education Guide

April – Cranes

Blank Park Zoo is home to Grey Crowned Cranes, Sarus Cranes, and Blue Cranes. Join us in learning more about cranes and what you can do to help them thrive.
Discover the Wild Day: Sunday, April 13, 2025
Crane Education Guide

May - Black Rhinos

Learn about the five species of rhinos, why rhinos like mud, and what we can do here in Iowa to help rhinos and more! Rhinos face serious threats like poaching and habitat loss, but through science, education, and teamwork, we’re helping to Keep The Five Alive.
Discover the Wild Day: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Rhino Education Guide

June - Reticulated Giraffe

What better way to spend the longest day of the year than with our long-legged friends? Learn more about these gentle giants and the important work we and our conservation partners do.
Discover the Wild Day: Saturday, June 21, 2025
Reticulated Giraffe Education Guide

July - Wild Iowa

From otters and owls to turtles and eagles, Iowa is home to incredible native species, and protecting wildlife starts with protecting habitats. That includes supporting monarchs and songbirds.
Discover the Wild Day: Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Wild Iowa Education Guide

August - Lemurs

Discover how Blank Park Zoo cares for lemurs at the Zoo. Connect and develop an understanding for communities living in the home ranges of lemurs, and learn about ways to take action, to positively impact local wildlife and habitats.
Discover the Wild Day: Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Lemur Education Guide

September - Red Panda

Red Pandas are endangered with a lot of their natural habitat being removed as humans slowly encroach upon their natural range. We're proud to partner with conservation partners to support and protect red pandas.
Discover the Wild Day: Saturday, September 20, 2025
Red Panda Education Guide

October - Cinereous Vultures

Learn how we care for our Cinereous vultures here at the Zoo and discover simple ways you can help protect local wildlife and habitats every day.
Discover the Wild Day: Sunday, October 12, 2025
Cinereous Vultures Education Guide

November - Turtles

There are many different species of turtles, and tortoises, all over the world with some even being native to our own backyards. Discover how you can take action and be a conservationist for turtles everyday.
Discover the Wild Day: Saturday, November 8, 2025
Turtles Education Guide

December - Cotton-top Tamarins

Cotton-top tamarins are some of the smallest primates in the world. Together we can help our conservation partners, like Proyecto Titi, to ensure species like the cotton-top tamarin have a bright future!
Discover the Wild Day: Sunday, December 28, 2025
Cotton-top Tamarin Education Guide