In the News
Category: Featured
Monday, Jun 29, 2026
Zoo Welcomes Vice President of Information Technology, Dustin Armbrust
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium and Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park are
pleased to welcome Dustin Armbrust as Vice President of Information Technology.
As the Zoo and Safari Park continue to invest in the future, technology plays an
increasingly important role in supporting the experiences our guests and members
enjoy, the work our employees do each day, and the conservation efforts that
advance our mission.
Dustin brings more than 25 years of technology leadership experience helping ...
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Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Zoo Hosts Rhino Experts
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is proud to host the International
Rhino Keeper’s Association (IRKA) workshop event from May 18-21, welcoming
nearly 150 rhino experts, animal care professionals and conservation leaders
from across the globe. This respected industry event reinforces the Zoo’s
standing as a global leader in animal care, wellbeing and conservation.
“Hosting the IRKA annual event is an incredible opportunity to collaborate
with fellow professionals who...
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at Tuesday,
May
20, 2025
Monday, Apr 14, 2025
Jeff Ewelt Named New Chief Zoological Officer
We’re thrilled to announce Jeff Ewelt as the new Chief Zoological Officer
at our Zoo.
With over 14 years of leadership at ZooMontana and decades of experience in
animal care and the zoo and aquarium industry, Jeff brings a wealth of knowledge
and a proven ability to inspire teams and advance organizational goals.
In this role, Jeff will lead the strategy and vision for all aspects of animal
care, solidifying the Zoo’s status as a global leader in animal care and
conservation.
&l...
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Wednesday, Sep 25, 2024
Zoo Receives Prestigious AZA Accreditation
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Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is proud to announce its continued
accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA)
independent Accreditation Commission. This accreditation means that the Zoo has
met the rigorous standards of AZA and will continue to set a precedent for
excellence in the zoological community. Fewer than ten percent of the 2,800
wildlife exhibitors licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) are AZA accredited. Omaha’s ...
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Monday, Jan 8, 2024
Zoo Mourns the Passing of Beloved Gorilla Timu
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is saddened to announce that Timu, a
28-year-old female western lowland gorilla, passed away on Thursday, January 4.
The animal health and animal care teams performed several diagnostic tests last
week, including a CT scan, to discover that Timu was in acute kidney
failure. As Timu’s health continued to rapidly deteriorate during the
week, the Zoo’s veterinarians performed multiple medical procedures and
treatments, but she passed a...
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Wednesday, Oct 18, 2023
New Male Indian Rhino Makes Public Debut in Asian Highlands
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Brian, a six-year-old male Indian rhino, made his public debut in Omaha’s
Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium’s Asian Highlands exhibit Sunday, October
15. His arrival marks an exciting step forward in Indian rhino conservation.
Brian arrived from Ohio’s Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on Tuesday, September
26. His move to Omaha was recommended per the Association of Zoos and
Aquariums’ (AZA) Indian Rhino Species Survival Plan, a program that works
to manage genetically diverse, d...
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Tuesday, Aug 8, 2023
Zoo Welcomes Fourth African Elephant Calf
Jayei, the matriarch of our African elephant herd at about 30 years old, gave
birth to a female calf at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 6.“We have been
anticipating the birth of Jayei’s calf,” said Sarah Armstrong, the
Zoo’s elephant manager. “She is our most experienced mom and was
pivotal in the successful births of our first three calves to first-time
moms."She added: “What we watched Sunday morning was simply incredible.
After about three hours of labor, Ja...
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Friday, Jul 21, 2023
Zoo Announces Full Reopening of the Lied Jungle
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is happy to announce the full
reopening of the Lied Jungle as of Friday, July 21.
“Thanks to the great work of our staff and the overwhelming support of the
Omaha community, the Zoo is proud to announce the reopening of the Lied Jungle,
in full,” said Dr. Luis Padilla, president and CEO of Omaha’s Henry
Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. “The reopening of the Lied Jungle has been a
steady process, as we made necessary repairs to the Ju...
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Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Omaha’s Zoo Announces the Return of Late Nights This Summer Starting May 25
Join Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium for a relaxed evening of wildlife,
food trucks and drinks as it hosts the first Late Nights at the Zoo of the
summer on Thursday, May 25, from 7 to 10:30 p.m. This series is for adults
only, ages 21 and older, and will also be held on the following Thursdays: June
1, 8 & 29, July 6, 13, 20 & 27, and August 3, 10, 17 & 24. Tickets for all
dates are now available. To guarantee admittance, reserve your tickets now. Save
$5 per event admission by pu...
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Friday, Apr 28, 2023
Join Party for the Planet and the 2023 City Nature Challenge Saturday at Omaha’s Zoo and Aquarium
Join Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium to celebrate Earth Day with
Party for the Planet on Saturday, April 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is also a
great place to get started on the global City Nature Challenge happening this
weekend.
Party for the Planet includes a Sustainability Market, Nebraska Wildlife Rehab,
Inc. educational presentations, educational booths, a bounce house and scavenger
hunt. All event activities are free to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and
Aquarium members or...
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