December 2022

Wild Lights at Miller Park Zoo

December 9 & 10

5:00-8:00 PM

Celebrate the holiday season with Wild Lights at Miller Park Zoo! Join us for a fun, family friendly event and witness the Zoo decorated for the holidays.

This family-friendly event features children's activities, local vendors, and everyone's favorite holiday couple - Santa and Mrs. Claus! Zoo concessions and the Zootique will also be open.

Admission is $3.00 per person for MPZS members and $8.00 per person for non-members, ages 3 and up. Children under 3 are free!

Tickets are available at the gate or advance purchase in the ZOOtique gift shop or by calling the Zoo at (309) 434-2250.

Farewell and Good Luck!

After 23 years, Miller Park Zoo is sad to say goodbye to Educator Shannon Reedy. Shannon has been responsible for all of the Zoo's education programs as well as the Junior Zookeeper Program, which has received nationwide recognition.

Thank you Shannon, for your incredible work these past 23 years - our community has benefited from your expertise and we will miss you!

We wish you the best of luck!

Feature Article

Guest Photos

This month’s guest photos come from the Poe Family. Young Evan loved Miller Park Zoo so much that he is now a Junior Zookeeper!

Have a great photo or story from a trip to Miller Park Zoo? Share them with us at [email protected].



We love seeing Miller Park Zoo through your eyes!

Recent ZOOdoptions

Thank you to our recent Animal ZOOdoptions! Whether you received one as gift or adopted an animal for yourself, the symbolic act of a ZOOdoption helps provide care and support for your favorite animals at Miller Park Zoo!

Beverly Edwards - De Brazza's Monkey

ZOOdoptions make a great holiday gift and help support the daily care of over 140 animals at Miller Park Zoo.

What's Happening

Thank you for your generosity on Giving ZooDay

Thanks to the generous supports of Miller Park Zoo from across the country, we received over $7,000 in gifts this #GivingZOOday. We are incredibly grateful to our many supporters for keeping us in your hearts this holiday season. Gifts received through Giving ZOOday fundraising will help with the South America Campaign.

December Membership Promotion

Throughout the month of December, any membership purchase will receive three extra months of membership free! That's 15 months for the price of 12. Zoo memberships are the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one. Purchase a membership in the Zootique or online to receive this special offer.

The Zoological Society is Hiring!

The Miller Park Zoological Society (MPZS) is currently looking for a full-time Development Manager. MPZS manages the Zoo's membership program and fundraising efforts, and helps support the Zoo and its mission.

Check out the posting below for more information on the position.

The Stampede is coming!

Registration is now open for our annual 5k run, 3k walk, and Kids Fun Run! Join us March 4, 2023 as participants race, run, or walk through historic Miller Park, the surrounding neighborhood, and Miller Park Zoo.

Register before February 5 to take advantage of the early-bird discount!

Deck your halls with something a little...wild.

Through the month of December, a special Presents for Paws tree can be found in the Zootique. While supplies last, take home one (or more!) of these handmade ornaments featuring paw prints from some of your favorite Miller Park Zoo animals! Purchase for a friend or treat yourself to a paws-itively unique gift.

Feeling extra generous this holiday season? Also adorning the tree are different enrichment items that the zoo's residents would love to find under their own trees. Make a donation in the amount listed on the paper ornament and the zoo will purchase that item.

Paw print ornaments are $10 for tiger paws or $5 for all other paws.

All proceeds from the Presents for Paws tree will help purchase enrichment items.

The Miller Park Zoological Society communicates via email periodically with Miller Park Zoo news and event information. You have received this communication because you provided us with your email address at a Miller Park Zoo event, membership application, or via our website. You can tailor your email preferences from us using the Update Profile button below or unsubscribe entirely.