The Metro Richmond Zoo (MRZ) was proudly represented at the 2025 annual conference of the Zoological Association of America (ZAA), held Sep. 30 – Oct. 4 in San Antonio, Texas. More than 450 zoo professionals from across the country attended the event.
The MRZ received the 2025 Long-Term Commitment and Significant Propagation of a Species Award for our work with endangered Diana monkeys. The Metro Richmond Zoo is one of the primary institutions in the United States that breeds Diana monkeys, with 39 births since 1997.
In addition, the zoo was recognized for achieving 20 years of continuous ZAA accreditation, having been accredited since the organization’s founding in 2005.
At the conference, MRZ’s communications manager and general manager presented a case study on Poppy the pygmy hippo, highlighting her measurable impact on zoo attendance, media coverage, and conservation fundraising, while teaching practical public relations strategies. During the presentation, the zoo announced a $50,000 donation to pygmy hippo conservation, to be shared among multiple NGOs.
