The Wilds

06/23/2026

For Liza Butler, a Restoration Ecology Associate at The Wilds, she knows that caring for our native land takes time and dedication, and the work never stops.

Across more than 6,500 acres of land, The Wilds' Restoration Department, a dedicated team of two, is working to create healthier ecosystems that support wildlife now and into the future. This important work takes time, persistence, and the support of people who care about conservation.

When you donate to The Wilds, you help fuel our work forward. Every acre restored and every stream improved helps create a stronger future, and we can only make that happen together.

To donate today, visit https://www.thewilds.org/givewildly. Thank you for supporting our teams and helping us restore our native land. 🧡

06/20/2026

06/20/2026

Stretch your necks and look up… it’s World Giraffe Day! 🦒

Here at The Wilds, giraffes are towering ambassadors for conservation! Our giraffe tower (that’s what a group of giraffes is called!) includes a crowd favorite: Tuffy, a friendly guy with a big personality and a love for all-things romaine lettuce.

But even the tallest animals need our help. In their native ranges, giraffe numbers are shrinking due to habitat loss and other challenges. At The Wilds, we’re working hard to protect them — and you can be part of that mission!

Here are three easy ways to support giraffes today:
• Visit our website to learn about these gentle giants: https://www.thewilds.org/animals/giraffe
• Shop the popular “Tuffy Collection” in our online store — your purchase helps support conservation efforts: https://shop.thewilds.org/
• Book a tour at The Wilds to see giraffes up close and learn what it takes to care for them! https://www.thewilds.org/safaris-and-tours

Every click, visit, and gift helps make a difference for giraffes at The Wilds and around the globe. Thanks for standing tall with us!

06/19/2026

Big news from the Columbus Zoo! Today, we're introducing the John F. Wolfe Aquarium, a new world-class aquarium destination coming to Central Ohio in 2029. Made possible by a transformational $50 million gift from The Robert F. Wolfe and Edgar T. Wolfe Foundation—the largest philanthropic gift in the history of the Columbus Zoo—this project will help shape the next century of conservation, education, and community impact.

Located next to the Columbus Zoo, Wolfe Aquarium will operate as its own separate organization, creating an entirely new experience for guests to explore aquatic wildlife and ecosystems from around the world—right here in Central Ohio.

As plans move forward, we know you'll have questions. Here are a few quick answers:

🦈 Wolfe Aquarium will be the largest aquarium in the state with over 1 million gallons of freshwater and sea water, 300 species, and 10,000+ aquatic animals like sand tiger sharks and spotted eagle rays!

🪸 The Columbus Zoo's current aquarium will remain open throughout construction. All the animals in the current Aquarium at Discovery Reef will call the future Wolfe Aquarium home.

🐠 You may begin seeing construction activity near Lakeside Theater in the near future. That's because the Aquarium Conservation and Acclimation Center is being developed to support the care of animals that will call Wolfe Aquarium home!

This project represents the next chapter in our commitment to wildlife conservation, education, and unforgettable guest experiences. From the grasslands of The Wilds and the summer fun of Zoombezi Bay to the animal habitats of the Columbus Zoo and the award-winning course at Safari Golf Club, our mission continues to grow.

Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn as their journey begins: , and learn more about Wolfe Aquarium on their website: www.wolfeaquarium.org

06/18/2026

Your ultimate weekend getaway is just at the tip of your fingers… 📲⛺

When you book a weekend an overnight camping trip at our Hellbender RV Campground, there's so many different activities you can explore with the whole family, whether it be checking out our playground, shooting some hoops at our basketball courts, or checking out our different tours! For every new overnight reservation at the Hellbender RV Campground, guests will receive a 20% discount Open-Air Safaris — including Sunset and Sunrise Open-Air Safari tours — and zipline tours!

Our Hellbender RV Campground offers 75 acres of fun and relaxation and is available for booking now! To plan your weekend getaway today, visit https://www.thewilds.org/hellbender-rv-campground.

Open-Air Safaris are proudly presented by G&J Pepsi.

06/16/2026

A glimpse inside our Ecology work. 🌱🌿

What does it actually mean to work in restoration ecology? And what kinds of invasive species are our teams at The Wilds working to remove? This month, we've been sharing stories about the incredible work of The Wilds' Restoration Department, and in this recent video, Liza Butler, Restoration Ecology Associate, takes you through what that work actually looks like on a day-to-day basis.

By removing invasive plant species, our team creates opportunities for native species to return and flourish to The Wilds. Liza’s team, a dedicated team of two, cares for more than 6,500 acres of land, helping ensure that wildlife and their habitats can thrive for generations to come.

But this incredible work wouldn’t be possible without the support of our community all over the world. This year, we hope you will fuel our work forward by making a donation to The Wilds. Every acre restored and every stream improved helps create a stronger future, and we can only make that happen together.

To donate today, visit https://www.thewilds.org/givewildly. Thank you for helping us restore our native land. 🧡

06/15/2026

We have the PERFECT date night idea for adults. Imagine this:

🌘 Ziplining through the woods and over huge animal pastures
🍷 Appetizers and an Ohio wine and beer selection on the dock of a lake

You'll have a fish feeding opportunity and access to yard games, too!

Zip and Sip at The Wilds is on the last weekend of June, July, and August, and space is limited. Get signed up here: https://www.thewilds.org/zipline-safari

06/13/2026

World Giraffe Day is just one week away and we’re ready to celebrate at The Wilds – painting party style! 🦒

Plan your trip to The Wilds on Saturday, June 20, 2026, and join us in celebrating these gentle giants. Soak in views of pastures at The Wilds while you paint to your heart's delight, then venture to the giraffe pasture and watch the giraffes in our care receive extra special enrichment for their special day!

A portion of the proceeds from World Giraffe Day will be donated to the Wild Nature Institute, benefitting the advancement of scientific research on endangered wildlife, including Masai giraffes. Painting parties sell out quickly, so book your reservation today at https://www.thewilds.org/events/giraffe-day-painting-party.

06/12/2026

Another Przewalski’s horse foal has entered the herd! We’re so excited to announce the exciting arrival of a female Przewalski’s horse foal born on May 8, 2026 to mother, Della, and father, Maksim.

Della was born at The Wilds in 2009, making her a 17-year-old Przewalski’s horse in our care. Maksim, born in 2017 at the Minnesota Zoo, came to The Wilds in 2024 from the Smithsonian Zoo in Front Royal, Virginia based on a recommendation from The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP). This birth carries special meaning for The Wilds, as the Przewalski’s horse was the very first species brought to the conservation center in 1992, before opening to the public for tours in 1994. Now, The Wilds is home to the largest herd of Przewalski’s horses in North America. The new foal is the first foal born in 2026 and joins the herd along with our male foal born in August 2025.

The Przewalski’s horses—including Della, her foal, and other members of the herd may be seen out in pasture during Open-Air Safari and Wildside Tours! While Della is very protective, the female foal is definitely curious and has been seen checking out the tour buses.

Join us in celebrating this exciting new addition! And, to book an Open-Air Safari or Wildside Tour, visit https://www.thewilds.org/safaris-and-tours.

06/09/2026

As one of the largest conservation centers in the world, an important part of our work here at The Wilds is conserving not only endangered species, but also the land that they live on. For Liza Butler, an Ecology Associate, that means showing up daily to care for the land at The Wilds – including removing endangered species, conducting prescribed burns, planting native species, and so much more.

With thousands of acres of land and a small team, Liza’s ecology work is inspiring. Over the years, Liza has seen native prairies begin to recover and species return to restored habitats. In one area, bird researchers observed Henslow’s sparrows returning to grasslands where they had not been recorded for some time.

When you give to The Wilds, you help provide the tools, expertise, and resources that allow us to continue caring for and improving the native land, while also protecting species around the world. To learn more about Liza’s inspiring work and help fuel it forward, please visit https://www.thewilds.org/givewildly.