Newsroom

Listen up

We have news to announce!

Welcome to the Metro Richmond Zoo’s newsroom. Here you will find copies of the zoo’s latest press releases and other announcements in a blog format. 

Media Resources

If you are a member of the media please contact Taylor, our Communications Manager at [email protected] for the following:

  • Schedule an interview for a story
  • Access high-quality images or video
  • Request to be added to our media mailing list

View our official press kit.

The zoo sends press releases to the media whenever we have significant announcements about animal births, new exhibits, or other exciting updates. You can read them below.

For more daily updates, follow us on social media.

New Digital Tickets and Memberships

New Digital Tickets and Memberships

The Metro Richmond Zoo is going digital! Starting Monday, June 26, the zoo will be launching an improved online ticketing system and implementing changes to operations at the front gate and throughout the park. The purpose of these updates is to streamline operations,...

World’s Oldest African Penguin Dies at Age 43

World’s Oldest African Penguin Dies at Age 43

The Metro Richmond Zoo is saddened to report the passing of ET, an African penguin. She died peacefully on Saturday, June 17 from natural causes. She was 43 years old. In the wild, the average lifespan of African penguins is around 15-20 years, so ET lived an...

Fire Update #2: Cleanup and Community Support

Fire Update #2: Cleanup and Community Support

It’s been eleven days since the fire at the zoo, and we have been deeply touched by the amount of love the community has given us. Hundreds of individuals and organizations across Virginia (and the country) have reached out to offer assistance. We are so immensely...

Fire Update #1: Damage and How to Help

Fire Update #1: Damage and How to Help

Since the fire Sunday night, the zoo has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from the community. You are the light in a devastating situation. Thank you. Right now, we are assessing the damage and taking inventory of what was lost. The cleanup...

Statement Regarding Fire at the Zoo

Statement Regarding Fire at the Zoo

The Metro Richmond Zoo is deeply saddened to report a large fire occurred in behind-the-scenes work areas of the zoo on Sunday, June 4. At 9:50 PM, a zoo employee onsite called 911 to report the fire. First responders arrived rapidly and began fighting the fire. All...

Orangutan Learns How to Nurse from a Breastfeeding Zookeeper

Orangutan Learns How to Nurse from a Breastfeeding Zookeeper

Zoe the orangutan needed help breastfeeding. Her first baby, Taavi, had to be hand-raised after she failed to nurse him and hold him properly. It’s likely Zoe never learned how to be a mom since she was orphaned at nine months old when her own mother died...

Metro Richmond Zoo in the News

Recent Highlights

ET, the world’s oldest African penguin with a ‘saucy personality,’ dies at Richmond zoo

June 23, 2023 | USA TODAY

See zoo’s incredible solution when orangutan wouldn’t breastfeed her baby

April 6, 2023 | CNN

Orangutan learns to breastfeed by watching zookeeper breastfeed her infant son

March 31, 2023 | GOOD MORNING AMERICA

Metro Richmond Zoo and team perform surgery on cheetah

February 22, 2023 | Yahoo Sports

A penguin love story: At 43, she’s the world’s oldest African Penguin. Her mate is 13.

February 14, 2023 | WASHINGTON POST

Archives

Virginia Zoo Introduces Rare Baby Hippo Over Christmas Weekend

December 27, 2022 | PEOPLE

This Virginia zoo really got a hippopotamus for Christmas

December 25, 2022 | CNN

Zoo welcomes over a dozen new cheetah cubs

May 2, 2016 | FOX & FRIENDS

A cheetah and a pup become best friends at the Metro Richmond Zoo

October 8, 2015 | TODAY

Cheetah-Dog Friendship Isn’t As Strange As It Sounds

October 7, 2015 | NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

This Newborn Giraffe Is Probably Taller Than You

April 23, 2014 | ABC WORLD NEWS NOW