THANK YOU!
#GivingTuesdayNow was a SUCCESS! We'd like to thank our community from the bottom of our hearts for the incredible support you've provided this past week for #GivingTuesdayNow. It's because of wonderful people like you we are able to provide safe, family-friendly experiences through events, education programs, and community outreach. With your generous help, we can continue to take care of our beloved animals and staff. We love you all dearly and cannot wait to welcome you back. Without you, there is no Zoo!
For those who missed it, we will be accepting donations toward our #GivingTuesdayNow fundraiser through Sunday, May 10, 2020. Thank you so much!
The Racine Zoo needs you now more than ever!
Although the Racine Zoo has closed during the COVID-19 outbreak, it has not stopped functioning. The Animal Care Department has continued to work tirelessly to provide essential daily care and veterinary care to over 300 animals that call Racine Zoo home. Racine Zoo is participating in #GivingTuesdayNow to support the global day of giving and look to those that are able to provide the urgent funds this 97-year-old nonprofit zoo desperately needs now more than ever to keep running. Through the generous support of the community, this zoo can continue to create new experiences and memories for guests of all ages for years to come.
#GivingTuesdayNow is a new global day of giving and unity that will take place on May 5, 2020—in addition to the regularly scheduled Dec 1, 2020 #GivingTuesday—as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. The day is designed to drive an influx of generosity, citizen engagement, business and philanthropy activation, and support for communities and nonprofits around the world.
At a time when we are all experiencing the pandemic, generosity is what brings people of all races, faiths, and political views together across the globe. Generosity gives everyone power to make a positive change in the lives of others and is a fundamental value anyone can act on. It’s a day for everyone around the world to stand together and give back in all ways, no matter who or where we are.
COVID-19 has left the Zoo in a difficult position, and zoo staff are concerned that these budget shortfalls will create a dire situation for the Zoo's staff and animals in the near future. Since no guests are allowed to visit campus, events and programs have been postponed resulting in a huge loss of revenue. However, the Zoo cannot simply stop functioning. The health and safety of the staff and animals is of utmost importance. While the Animal Care Department continues their critical duties, the Conservation Education Department has been putting together positive social media content to educate and give the public daily updates on the animals’ well-being. From online preschool class sessions to nature crafts and scavenger hunts, the Zoo continues to reach out to the community and give their support through uplifting stories.
We cannot wait to welcome back guests, continue programs and events, and resume community outreach. But first, we need your help!
Our goal for #GivingTuesdayNow is to raise much needed funds for the Zoo. Will you help us make this possible? Show your love and support through a donation. A gift of any size makes a difference.
Every donated dollar up to $5,000 was matched from the RUUD Family Foundation, O&H Danish Bakery, and Educators Credit Union! Thank you to all three of these wonderful Zoo patrons.
Donate online below or mail your donation check to the Racine Zoo at 200 Goold Street, Racine, WI 53402. All donations are tax deductible in accordance with the IRS Tax Code.
A sincerest thank you for your consideration from all the animals and staff at the Racine Zoo during these uncertain times. Your incredible kindness will go a long way.
How will your donation directly help our animals?
Did you know the life expectancy for gibbons in the wild is only around 30 years? Our female gibbon, Robin, is 40 years old—a testament to the amazing care our animals receive. What is even more special is that her father, Yule, is also still doing great. At 53 years young, he is the oldest gibbon in U.S. zoos and the oldest animal in our Zoo! Both are incredibly healthy, but our vet does recommend they eat prunes to keep them regular!
The Racine Zoo has many amazing animal ambassadors that live behind the scenes, including our two long-tailed chinchillas, Lenny and George! One of the messages our educators send in their programs is adopt, don't shop—and when we walk the walk, we talk the talk! Our chinchillas were adopted from a chinchilla rescue and are best friends for life. While three-legged Lenny is very gregarious and loves programs, George is more shy and chooses not to participate. Both were still brought to the Zoo and George gets to live a fantastic life with just his keepers! Help us sustain these amazing boys!
At the Racine Zoo, we take pride in our lions! African Lions have lost 92% of their historic home range, and more will disappear without intervention. Through our work with the African Lion Species Survival Plan, there are now 40 descendants of our patriarch, Aslan, living in zoos across the country. Aslan is now retired with Azizi and their daughter, Zuri, but are still essential ambassadors for their species. Zuri in particular loves interacting with guests, and cannot wait to see people back at the Zoo!
On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the Racine Zoo was excited to welcome newborn tamarin twins to our family group. These twins marked a third generation, born to mother Amelie who was herself born at the Racine Zoo in 2017! The amazing work our keepers have done in learning about and breeding emperor tamarins is groundbreaking, with offspring from the Racine Zoo making up nearly half of the population in U.S. zoos. Our team pioneered voluntary ultrasounds in the species, leading to more accurate due dates, and is one of very few to successfully hand rear an infant. The work of our primary primate keeper, Crystal, has been presented at conferences and workshops across the country.
