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.

13 New Cheetah Cubs

13 New Cheetah Cubs

The Metro Richmond Zoo is excited to announce the arrival of 13 new cheetah cubs! On March 21, 2016, Milani, a second-time mom, gave birth to 3 cubs (2 males and 1 female) sired by Hatari. On April 1, 2016, Vaila, a first-time mom, gave birth to 7 cubs (this number...

Kumbali and Kago’s First Snow

Kumbali and Kago’s First Snow

Kumbali and Kago, now 8 months old, got to play in the snow for the first time during Winter Storm Jonas. While the Zoo was closed, one of our zookeepers let the best friends run and explore in a large enclosed field covered with 7 inches of snow. Their reaction to...

Snowstorm at the Zoo

Snowstorm at the Zoo

Winter Storm Jonas dumped around twelve+ inches of snow at the zoo on January 22 and 23, 2016. Zoo staff worked hard to prepare for the snowstorm. As always, all of our animals have access to heated barns or shelters as necessary. However, due to the extremely cold...

Kumbali and Kago, Cheetah Cub and Puppy Friendship

Kumbali and Kago, Cheetah Cub and Puppy Friendship

The Metro Richmond Zoo is excited to announce a unique companionship between a cheetah cub and a puppy. Kumbali was born on May 12, 2015, to Khari and Hatari, in a litter of four cheetah cubs. When he was two weeks old, animal caretakers at the MRZ noticed that he...

Baby Orangutan on Exhibit

Baby Orangutan on Exhibit

The Metro Richmond Zoo welcomes RJ, a male orangutan born earlier this year to parents Tasha and Rory. RJ, named after his father, weighed approximately 4 pounds at birth, a healthy normal weight. During the cooler months, Tasha and RJ spent their time in their indoor...

New Cheetah Births!

New Cheetah Births!

 The Metro Richmond Zoo is excited to announce the birth of 2 more litters of cheetah cubs. Lana and Kitu, who sired our famous first litter of 5 cubs recently gave birth to six more cubs (2 males and 4 females) on April 29, 2015. The birth of six cubs is a rare event...

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