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Media Resources

A one-stop, evergreen stop for images, information, and more.

MEDIA CONTACT

Jeff Agosta
Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Friends of Zoo Boise
EMAIL
(208) 608-7747

INTERVIEW SUBJECT NAMES & TITLES

  • Gene Peacock, Zoo Director
  • Alicia Records, Zoo Deputy Director
  • Harry Peachey, General Curator
  • Jeff Agosta, Director of Marketing & Public Relations
  • Dr. Melissa Cavaretta, Zoo Veterinarian
  • Melissa Wade, Assistant Operations Manager, Animal Care
  • Rachel Winer, Director of Development
  • Tierney Ball, Director of Education

SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS – @zooboise

Links to our active profiles:

ZOO MAP

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Hi-res versions of Zoo Boise logo:

DOWNLOAD PHOTOS

Hi-res images of Zoo Boise animals:

PREFERRED TERMINOLOGY

  • When referring to animal locations, “habitat” or “home” is preferred; “exhibit” is okay. Please try to avoid “enclosure”.

  •  Animals residing at zoos are living “under human care”, not “in captivity”.

LATEST PRESS RELEASES

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MISSION

Zoo Boise connects guests with animals to inspire and involve our community in the conservation of wildlife worldwide.

ABOUT ZOO BOISE

Located in beautiful Julia Davis Park in Downtown Boise, Zoo Boise is one of the most popular attractions in Idaho. It is currently home to hundreds of animals representing about 100 different species.

For many, it is the only opportunity to see and appreciate the wonders of wildlife throughout the year. Guests of all ages can learn about the natural world and the importance of protecting and preserving it for generations to come.

In fact, Zoo Boise has turned the act of visiting the zoo into a conservation action. In 2007, it became the first zoo to build a conservation fee into admission prices.

Now, every admission and all proceeds from daily animal encounters support the protection of animals in the wild. Zoo Boise visits have generated more than $4 million for conservation since 2007. These funds are annually granted to mission-aligned conservation projects all over the globe through the Zoo Boise Conservation Fund.

Zoo Boise is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), a national organization that supports excellence in animal care, conservation, education, and science.

Zoo Boise is a service of the City of Boise and is supported by the Friends of Zoo Boise, a 501(c)(3) membership organization that supports the zoo in the areas of animal acquisition, capital improvement projects, education programs, volunteer opportunities, and special events.

HISTORY & MILESTONES

1916 – Zoo Boise established when the City of Boise was gifted numerous rare birds and acquired a chimpanzee that escaped from a traveling circus

1940s – Housed more than 40 species

1961 – Idaho Zoological Society (now known as Friends of Zoo Boise) formed to support Zoo Boise

2000 – Began ZooTeen program

2001 – Opened Small Animal Kingdom

2002 – Achieved accreditation through Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA)

2007 – Became first zoo to build a conservation fee into admission prices

2008 – Opened African Plains exhibit

2012 – Opened Giraffe feeding platform and Animals of the Pampas exhibit

2019 – Opened Conservation Plaza and three-acre Gorongosa National Park Exhibit

2024 – Broke ground on new red panda home, updated gift shop

PRONUNICATION GUIDE

  • Gorongosa National Park Exhibit = go-rahn-go-zuh
    ~~~
  • Aldabra tortoise = Al-dob-ruh
  • Amur tiger = uh-mour OR am-uhr
  • Cotton-top tamarin = tam-uh-rin
  • Kinkajou = king-kuh-joo
  • Magellanic penguin = maj-al-en-ik
  • Nyala = nigh-all-uh OR nigh-ah-lah
  • Patas monkey = pat-us
    ~~~
  • Akasha (Amur tiger) = Uh-kosh-uh
  • Ahsoka (female lion) = Uh-soak-uh OR Aw-soak-uh
  • Kabita (female snow leopard) = Kuh-bee-tuh
  • Viungo (female olive baboon) = Vee-un-go