The Live Auction Animal Adoption at the Zoo’s main stage is one of the most popular parts of Zoobilee. Corporations and individuals use this opportunity to show their support of the Zoo by adopting an animal for the year. It’s great fun for you and the Zoo!
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ANIMAL OF THE WEEK  Because of the okapi's reclusive nature and impassable habitat, it was not found until around 1900. read more > | Home > Visitor & Tickets Zoobilee 2011 Gates of Paradise Saturday, September 10 Limited Tickets. Order Yours Now >
What started as a small event for just a few dozen friends has grown into Wichita’s wildest party of the year – Zoobilee 2011! Zoobilee – Saturday, September 10 – is a great way to support your Sedgwick County Zoo. One of the most successful fun-raisers of its kind, Zoobilee raises funds that help keep Zoo admission prices affordable. As part of the Zoo’s commitment to conservation, a portion of this year’s funds will also go to support the Zoo's animal conservation initiatives in the wild. This event would not be what it is today without the help of the thousands of contributors, patrons and dedicated volunteers. Thanks to you, our Zoobilee friends, who have participated in this event for many years and to those of you who are here for the first time, because of you Zoobilee has become a major source of the Zoo’s operating revenues each year. Zoobilee Chair Marvin O. Long and the Zoobilee 2011 committee, as well as all the volunteers and employees are working behind the scenes to make Zoobilee 2011 a great party. We hope you will plan to join us. We've included a few photos from Zoobilee 2010 for you to flip through. Who knows you might see someone you know. Join the Zoobilee 2011 conversation and post photos from your favorite Zoobilee moments on Facebook. www.facebook.com/Zoobilee.SedgwickCountyZoo Blue Eyed Soul Fly by Night Friends University Duo Mumblin Jones The Jason Boyd Band Mudbugs Gooding Evening Program Roam the Wilds of the Zoo starting at 6:00 p.m. Feast on specialties from the region’s finest restaurants and get pampered at one of the many pampering stations. Visit the Cessna Penguin Cove. Explore The Downing Gorilla Forest. Enjoy Slawson Family Tiger Trek through the evening. Sample the music of various bands throughout the Zoo until 8:15 p.m. Bid on fabulous items in the Silent Auction until 10:00 p.m. under the big tent on the Jungle Field! Bid for Beasts in the Zoopendous Live Auction starting at 8:30 p.m. An exciting live auction kicks off at the main stage. Zoobilee-goers will be able to bid on the honorary adoption of Zoo animals. Live auction winners will have their name proudly displayed in the Zoo for one year. If the adopted animal happens to give birth during the next year our Zoobilee live auction winners will help us pick a name. Dance the Night Away! The concert will start at 9:30 at the Main Stage. Who will it be this year is still to be announced. But you know Zoobilee is sure to be the best party in town! Zoobilee patrons can spend the evening sampling food and drink. New tastes from local food and beverage establishments will be served, including traditional favorites and exotic new delicacies. Following is a list of who to expect. We will be adding to the list every day as more and more restaurants sign up. If you don't see your favorite - please invite them to participate the next time you eat out! yum! yum! American Institute of Wine and Food Wichita Chapter Don't forget the Pampering Stations for a quick massage, mini manicure or lip gloss touch-up!
Learn more about some of the wonderful animals at Sedgwick County Zoo Black Bears - North American black bears are well known for their climbing ability to escape from threats or to look for their young. Black bears eat every chance they get, whether it is fish, berries, or scraps from campers. When not scouring for food, they take naps or explore to suit their great curiosity. Grevy’s Zebras - The Grevy’s zebra is a highly endangered animal and among the rarest zebra species. Hippos - The hippopotamus spends most of its time in the water to keep cool in the hot sun. It can stay underwater for about three to five minutes. The Greeks called the hippopotamus the “river horse” because of its love of water. Amazingly, the hippo can open its jaw to a 150 degree angle. North American River Otters - The river otter is built for life in the water and is one of the world’s best fishermen. But otters believe firmly that life is not all work for they love to play. On land, the otter will toboggan down muddy or icy slopes or simply take a slow easy float on its back. Flamingo Flocks - Flamingos are long-lived, surviving 20-30 years. Caribbean flamingos are perhaps more threatened because they breed in only four major colonies around the Gulf of Mexico—with numbers thought to be around 80,000-90,000 birds. Okapi - Although long hunted by the pygmies of Zaire, the okapi was one of the last large mammals to be discovered. Because of their reclusive nature and impassible habitat, they were not found until around 1900. Striped much like a zebra, the okapi’s closest living relative is actually the giraffe. Every okapi has a unique striping pattern. Chimpanzees - Chimpanzees are social animals, living in troops of 15-80 individuals. They utilize a complex communication of facial expressions, gestures, hoots and screams. Family is important; aunts, uncles and siblings baby-sit and help teach and train the young. Red Pandas - The red panda has a long, soft coat and a very bushy tail. It inhabits mountain forests and bamboo thickets and prefers colder temperatures. The red pandas are nocturnal to crepuscular, which means they sleep during Reticulated Giraffes - Giraffes are social animals, living in loose herds of 25-35 animals. The males maintain an identifiable pecking order, established through a ritual of neck wrestling. With lions as the only known predator to adult giraffes, they can live approximately 20 years in the wild. They have a captive life expectancy of 28 years. Sumatran Orangutans - This critically endangered animal is highly intelligent and adept at problem solving. Sometimes called “old man of the forest,” the orangutan has extremely long arms that are a wonderful adaptation for living in the trees. Grizzly Bears - Grizzlies have white-tipped hairs that give them a "grizzled" appearance and their name. Coat coloration varies from white to blond to brown to black. They are an impressive 6-7 feet tall when standing and typically weigh between 300 and 800 lbs. African Elephants - Elephants are social animals with strong family ties. When foraging and out of sight from each other, elephants remain in contact by making a rumbling noise. If danger is sensed, an elephant will stop making the noise to alert the others. When making a threat display, elephants will twirl their trunks, toss dust in the air or even trumpet. Lowland Gorillas - Lowland gorillas are very social creatures, living in family groups called troops. The groups are led by the oldest, dominate male. Males fight for dominance by vocalizing, thumping their chests, and occasionally charging at each other. Even so, these displays very rarely become violent. Black Rhinos - Man has proven the most serious threat to the black rhinoceros, which has a normal life expectancy of 40 years. There were almost 9,000 black rhinos in 1984 and only 5 years later the number had decreased to almost 3,000. It is an endangered species and part of the Zoo’s Species Survival Plan. African Lion Pride - While known as the king of the jungle, the lion lives in sub-Saharan Africa, actually preferring to live in the savannah, scrub and grassy plains. Lions are social animals, living in a “pride” or group. The prides may have as many as 20 members and the size of the pride’s territory depends on the number in the group. Humboldt Penguins - Humboldt penguins get their name from the cold, nutrient-rich Humboldt Current off the coast of Chile and Peru. They are designed for their marine lifestyle, with streamlined bodies that allow them to “fly” through the water. They are dependent on land for molting as well as for nesting and breeding. Amur Tigers & Malayan Tigers- Tigers are endangered due to habitat destruction, big game hunting, and poaching. Sedgwick County Zoo has Amur and Malayan tigers. Amur tigers are the largest of the tiger subspecies. They are named after the Amur River in Russia and can survive in a harsh environment where extremely cold temperatures and deep snow are common. Malayan tigers can be found in Malaysia, mostly outside the protected areas, in tropical and subtropical forests and grasslands. Northern Bald Eagle - In 1967, bald eagles were officially declared an endangered species under a law that preceded the Endangered Species Act of 1973 in all areas of the United States south of the 40th parallel. Federal and state government agencies, along with private organizations, successfully sought to alert the public about the bald eagle's plight and to protect its habitat from further destruction. The bald eagle was removed from the Endangered Species List in June of 2007. It is currently listed as Least Concern with IUCN. However, it is still federally protected under the Eagle Act. The Zoobilee 2011 Silent Auction is a one stop shopping experience that can't be matched. You can find some great items for yourself, get your holiday shopping done early and support the Zoo at the same time! We've grouped items together to make it easier for the items you're interested in.
Zoobilee Event Sponsors Each and every year we have a host of sponsors that help us create the best party in town. If you would like to ensure that your name or your company name is on the 2011Sponsor list please let us know. 2010 Sponsors Beverage Beer Garden Bourbon Street Zoo Bar Ranch Nganda Island Party Silent Auction Tent Late Night Snacks Cup Printing Entertainment Sponsor Hat T-shirts Food Tray
It’s the best of your world, and ours. | Contacts Hours of Operation
Open 364 Days a Year!* *The Zoo will be closed one day only, September 10, 2011 to facilitate the preparation of the annual Zoo fundraiser, Zoobilee. For Zoobilee ticket information please call 266-8APE (8273). E-NEWSLETTER SIGNUP |