Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

We’re excited to partner with KETV for Conservation in Action, an all-new segment exploring the wild side of our Zoo and what makes us a global conservation leader, right here in Omaha. Follow along with Dr. Luis R. Padilla in this first installment! And if you haven’t already… Don’t forget to vote for your “Best Zoo:” https://bit.ly/419Ciay

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.? ? “Jeff’s expertise brings a unified structure to our Zoo, where every aspect of an animal’s care—both at our Zoo and in our conservation efforts—will be guided by one highly qualified leader,” said Dr. Luis Padilla, president and CEO of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. “He is uniquely suited to deliver on our vision of conserving wildlife and wild places. We are thrilled to welcome him as we continue our forward momentum and solidify our position as a leader in animal care and conservation.”? ? Jeff officially joins us on Monday, April 14, and we can’t wait to see the incredible impact he’ll bring to our Zoo and Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park. Please join us in welcoming Jeff to Omaha!

As conservation efforts become more critical, zoos continue to play a vital role in wildlife protection, habitat restoration and the survival of species for generations to come. ???? We're honored to be recognized as one of the most ethically conscious zoos in America, standing alongside fellow accredited organizations in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums community. Read more in "The Journiest:" https://lnkd.in/gi_PGFGa #OmahaZoo #EthicalZoos #WildlifeConservation #AnimalWelfare #ZooCommunity #SustainabilityInZoos #ConservationPartners #ConservationEducation

Introducing our Vice President of Science and Animal Health, Dr. Taylor Yaw, DVM, CertAqV, Dipl. ACZM, Dipl. ABVP (Fish Practice). For the past two years, Dr. Yaw has served as our Director of Animal Health and as a member of the Zoo’s senior leadership, overseeing all aspects of our veterinary operations including oversight of a high-performing team of veterinarians, technicians and other health professionals. Before joining our team, Dr. Yaw held leadership roles at other zoos and aquariums including the Texas State Aquarium & Wildlife Rescue and the Minnesota Zoo. Dr. Yaw is an established leader in our organization, with a passion for animal health, science and conservation. In this new to the organization role, he will continue to lead the animal health scientists, as well as animal nutrition, genetics and reproductive sciences. This role provides alignment and leadership to these key areas of animal care, while solidifying the Zoo’s investment in advancing veterinary programs and impactful science and conservation programs. “As a veterinarian with multiple board certifications, a broad vision and proven leadership skills, Dr. Yaw is uniquely positioned to advance our veterinary programs while aligning our science and conservation efforts under the concept of one health: where the common purpose is centered around healthy ecosystems, healthy animal populations and guarding against the extinction of species,” said Dr. Luis Padilla, President and CEO of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. “Dr. Yaw has been a fierce advocate for his colleagues and team members in always looking for ways in which science and research endeavors can be leveraged to be even more impactful. We are thrilled to empower him and his team with the tools to make the world a better place for animals and people.” Please join us in congratulating Dr. Yaw!

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium has taken another exciting step forward in our commitment to giraffe conservation with the arrival of a new male. His name is Geoff! Geoff, a reticulated giraffe who came from a facility in the Southeast accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), arrived earlier this morning and has already begun acclimating to his new surroundings. His move to our Zoo was recommended by AZA’s Reticulated Giraffe Species Survival Plan (SSP), a program that works to manage genetically diverse, demographically varied and biologically sound populations of threatened or endangered species. As part of the Zoo’s herd, Geoff has been recommended to breed with female giraffes in an effort to contribute to the conservation of his species. Reticulated giraffes are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List, with populations having plummeted by more than 50% in the last three decades. This decline is primarily driven by habitat loss, illegal hunting and human-wildlife conflict. It is estimated that less than 16,000 reticulated giraffes remain in their natural environment, making conservation efforts both urgent and critical. “Geoff’s arrival is a vital step in our efforts to support the conservation of reticulated giraffes,” said Ryan Sears, curator of large mammals at the Zoo. “By participating in collaborative breeding programs like the SSP, we’re ensuring a future for this incredible species while educating our visitors about the challenges these animals face in their natural environments.”

We’re thrilled to announce the construction of the Bill and Berniece Grewcock Animal Hospital: a new, state-of-the-art, 32,000-square-foot facility built to serve the diverse needs of our animals! This hospital will replace our nearly 30-year-old facility, giving our animal health team cutting-edge tools, like a CT scanner and endoscopy unit, to provide the best care to our more than 39,000 animals. “We are excited to see this project come to life,” said Dr. Luis Padilla, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, president and CEO of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. “This hospital will advance how we provide the specialized care that our animals need and honors our commitment to continuously invest in the health and wellbeing of all the animals in our care.” The hospital is designed with species-specific care in mind including specialized spaces cold rooms with built-in water elements for penguins, puffins and other cold-adapted species, rooms with graded flooring designed to be flooded for water dwelling species like otters and ducks and aquatic habitats for hospitalized fish and invertebrates. The Bill and Berniece Grewcock Animal Hospital is expected to open in 2026. This project is entirely funded by private donations, and the Omaha Zoo Foundation is working to raise the remaining $5 million to reach the $45 million campaign goal. Our community is encouraged to "Help Us Help Them" by contributing to make a lasting impact on the healthcare for the animals at the Zoo. To learn more or donate, please visit OmahaZooFoundation.org.

Happy National STEM Day! To celebrate, we're helping Omaha STEM Ecosystem kick off their second-annual STEM Challenge! To see all of the incredible ways that science, technology, engineering and mathematics are making an impact in our community. All you have to do: Take a video or picture of your STEM activity, object or experiment. Post it to Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn between November 8 -15 using the hashtags #OmahaSTEM and #ShowUsYourSTEM. Tag the Zoo and @omahastemecosystem! As a founding partner, we support Omaha STEM Ecosystem's citywide efforts to provide expanded learning opportunities that empower students to thrive in scientific thinking, diverse career paths and build on their educational achievements through their passion for STEM.

?? #WorkBeyondTheOffice #Conservation #ProtectWildlife??

Exciting news! The Zoo has proudly received continued accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This accreditation means we’ve met the rigorous standards set by AZA and will continue to set a precedent for excellence in the zoological community. Fewer than 10% of the 2,800 wildlife exhibitors licensed by the USDA are AZA accredited. AZA is the independent accrediting organization for the best zoos, aquariums and related facilities nationally and internationally. AZA accreditation includes a detailed application and a meticulous multiple-day on-site inspection by an independent team of zoological professionals. During the accreditation process, the Zoo’s excellence in exhibit design and animal programs were highlighted as standout successes. “I am honored and proud to lead our team at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium,” said Dr. Luis Padilla, president and CEO. “AZA accreditation is the prestigious gold standard of excellence in zoological operations and serves as external validation of the high quality of work we strive for every day. This recognition fuels our forward progress as our team continues to shape a brighter future together for people, animals and our community.” Curious about AZA facilities? Check out the full list here: https://lnkd.in/grbUdZeQ.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is proud to welcome Megan Rachal as our new Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) and Senior Vice President of People and Culture! In her new role, Megan will lead the strategy and vision for all aspects of our employees' work experience, serving as a catalyst for initiatives to enhance our workplace culture. Her leadership will be instrumental in our journey to becoming the employer of choice in the region and within the zoo and aquarium industry. The search, selection and hiring process was facilitated through a partnership with Hanold Associates, LLC, a retained executive search firm specialized in recruiting contemporary C-suite leaders with a significant focus on human resources leadership. Megan rose to the top among a pool of qualified candidates, as a proven and energetic, people-first leader, with expertise within and outside of the zoo and aquarium industry. “I am thrilled to be joining the leading Zoo in the country to have the opportunity to support its dedicated staff,” said Megan Rachal. “My experience in the zoo and aquarium space, and within executive leadership, will lend itself well as I dive in. From my very first visit, it was evidently clear that this Zoo is a special place for both locals and tourists, and I am honored to become a part of this team and institution.” Megan’s unrivaled passion for supporting the needs of a mission-based workforce, and her deep personal connection to the conservation of the natural world makes her an excellent fit for this position. “Our people are our biggest asset, and Megan brings fresh perspectives, industry best practices, and experiences supporting the needs of a mission-based workforce,” said Dr. Luis Padilla, president and CEO of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. “Megan will be instrumental in advancing workplace culture initiatives to elevate the impact of our organization.” We are thrilled to have her on board as we embark on this exciting period of transformational change!?