07-04-2025
National Zoo Lovers Day is April 8 — here's how to celebrate
If you make a beeline for the red pandas before even checking the map, this holiday is for you. National Zoo Lovers Day, celebrated every April 8th, gives us a chance to celebrate the animals (and the people) that make zoos so special. Zoos offer more than just educational programs and conservation efforts (though those are important!); they offer connection and an opportunity for introspection about the world around us, and our place in it.
A brief history of zoos
Gathering animals together in one place is not a new concept; there were private menageries in ancient Egypt and the oldest still-operating zoo in the world — the Vienna Zoo — opened in 1752. Those were more exhibitions for viewing, though — today's zoos are esteemed centers for wildlife research, breeding programs, and public education that aims to help protect endangered species.
The tl;dr there is: Zoos are doing important work.
The animals our editors make a beeline for 🐾
To celebrate National Zoo Lovers Day, we asked our editors which animals they like to see first on any trip to the zoo. Read on for their answers; we'd love to hear yours in the comments.
🍼 Kate: The petting zoo!! Now that my toddler can pet animals without grabbing fur, this is her favorite part. Our local zoo has goats and baby kangaroos you can pet.
🐅 Tracey: I'm always the most excited to see the tigers.
🦍 Mark: Apes. Especially at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. Their troop seem to always have a youngin' roaming around. Also, if you're ever in Seattle, I highly suggest you go to the zoo. It really is a fantastic facility.
🐘 Chris: Always elephants for me.
🐍 Louisa: I don't necessarily have a favorite as much as I have a most-feared... Years ago I was chaperoning my son's school field trip to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. My debilitating fear of snakes outweighed my sense of responsibility, so I let four kindergarteners march their way through the reptile house solo while I nervously waited at the exit. Not my proudest moment, but we all survived unscathed.
🐼 Meredith: The pandas! I haven't had a chance to visit the newest pair – but I'm so excited that giant pandas are back in DC. We try to get there earlier; they are usually more active in the mornings (or so my family insists).
How to celebrate National Zoo Lovers Day
What could possibly be more fitting to honor this day than a trip to your favorite local zoo? Here's our recommended agenda for the day:
Pack snacks (but don't feed them to the animals, obviously)
Wear your comfiest shoes (we recommend the Hoka Bondi 9s for walking around all day)
Bring a kid (zoos are even better with a little wide-eyed wonder in tow)
Take too many pictures of flamingos, meerkats, or lemurs (they always move around too much to get a good photo)
Support the zoo's conservation efforts (adopt-an-animal programs are a great place to start, plus they usually mean free parking)
Enjoy your day at the zoo — our team certainly will!
