Volunteer Newsletter 2/14/25

Friday, February 14th, 2025

Meet Elizabeth

Elizabeth Peller, or EP, is the new Volunteer Services Intern. She will be working on Thursdays, Fridays, and will be the main point of contact for volunteers on Sundays. She is a teacher at the Rose Theater and a substitute with OPS. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crafting, and learning about animals and conservation. Her favorite zoo animal is Starlight, the red panda. If you’re in on Thursdays, Fridays, or Sundays, please stop by the Volunteer Services Office (WKP) and say hello!

Our Zoo was listed as one of the top 25 zoos in the world by the popular travel publication, Travel + Leisure! Click the button below to read the full list. Thank you to all of our team members and volunteers that make our Zoo great!

Friendly Reminder: Rest and Recover When Feeling Unwell

We want to remind all of our amazing volunteers across the zoo that if you’re feeling sick, please take the time to rest and recover at home. Your health is our top priority, and by staying home when you're unwell, you help ensure the safety and wellbeing of both the animals and zoo visitors.

We truly appreciate your dedication, but your health is essential, and we look forward to welcoming you back when you’re feeling better. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe and thriving!

Steps for Communicating When You Need to Stay Home

1. Please inform us as soon as possible using Get Connected and email/phone/text, if appropriate. This will vary by your volunteer area and supervisor preferences. You can always email volunteers@omahazoo.com. Informing us as soon as you think you should stay helps us manage shifts and ensure proper coverage. A simple “I'm not feeling well today, and I won’t be able to volunteer” is enough!

2. Your health comes first! Take the time you need to recover fully before returning. We'll be excited to have you back when you're feeling better. If you’re unsure about when to return, please stay in touch with your area supervisor. We want to make sure you’re fully recovered before coming back, so feel free to reach out for guidance on when it’s safe to return.

Animal Welfare Committee

The Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) exists to evaluate formal animal well-being concerns reported by volunteers or staff members and to provide recommendations to senior leadership and the appropriate animal care managers when applicable. The AWC may also facilitate proactive discussion of animal wellbeing topics and provide training and/or resources to staff when necessary. In 2024, the AWC reviewed four animal welfare concerns. AWC members include: Kaitlyn Wiktor; Taylor Yaw; Christie Eddie; Shawna Hawkins; Cynthia Frasier; Kiley Thiele; Andy Reeves; Erika Snyder.

Check out Get Connected For Upcoming Events!

Look the "Events" tab on the left side of the site to find event information about Membership days, learning opportunities, Paws for Lunch, and much more! If the event has an RSVP button and you plan on going, please let us know so we can plan for attendees.

Look for the "Opportunities" tab on the left side of the site to find open volunteer sign up times.

Get Connected

How to Navigate Get Connected to See What You're Signed Up For

Head to https://www.omahazoovolunteers.com/ and make sure you are logged in. This will be your email and the password you've created.

Once logged in, you can check what you are signed up for by clicking on Opportunity Responses on the front page. Above it will be a number, which is how many opportunities you've responded to.

The other way to check what you're signed up for is to click on your profile dropdown in the upper right hand corner (your initials will be there if you don't have a profile picture). In the dropdown menu, there is a section called Volunteer Schedule. If you click on that, it will take you to a month schedule where you can see what you're signed up for.

Last week, we hosted our quarterly All Staff Meeting. In it, we celebrated our 2024 accomplishments with presentations from each department leader. Volunteers were mentioned throughout, THANK YOU for sharing your passion with the zoo!

Announcing Chief Zoological Officer, Jeff Ewelt.

From Dr. Luis Padilla, President and CEO:

I am proud to announce the appointment of Jeff Ewelt as our Chief Zoological Officer (CZO). In this vital new role, Jeff will oversee all aspects of animal operations, including animal care, science and animal health and animal behavior and wellbeing.

Jeff has led ZooMontana for more than 14 years, serving as its executive director. Jeff is a skilled leader with a wealth of experience leading diverse teams from all aspects of an organization. In his tenure, Jeff oversaw the development of ZooMontana’s revenue streams, the expansion of its animal habitats and facilities, a renewed AZA accreditation, the implementation of diversity and inclusion initiatives, and the care and wellbeing of its diverse animal population.

“I am truly honored to accept the position of Chief Zoological Officer at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium,” said Jeff. “Joining this dynamic team and becoming part of such a prestigious organization with a rich legacy is incredibly exciting. I look forward to contributing my skills and experience to further the Zoo’s mission of excellence in education, conservation, and animal care, while working together to inspire a greater appreciation for wildlife and the natural world.”

As a people-first leader, Jeff has a proven record of advancing organizational goals. His ability to mobilize people around the vital mission of conservation and animal wellbeing will be a tremendous asset to our Zoo.

Jeff’s expertise brings a unified structure to our Zoo, where every aspect of an animal’s care—both at our Zoo and in our conservation efforts—will be guided by one highly qualified leader. He is uniquely suited to deliver on our vision of conserving wildlife and wild places. Jeff is a people-first leader with an infectious optimism and a personality that inspires and elevates those around him.

We are thrilled to welcome Jeff as we continue our forward momentum and solidify our position as a leader in animal care and conservation. He will join our team on Monday, April 14, 2025. Lori Perkins, consultant from Canopy Strategic Partners, who has been providing interim curatorial leadership, will continue to provide support to ensure continuity and a smooth transition for Jeff and our teams.

We look forward to welcoming Jeff to Omaha and to our Zoo, and strengthening our Zoo’s role as a global leader in animal care and conservation.

Dr. Luis

In 2024, the Animal Behavior and Wellbeing department assembled the Behavior Advisory Group with a goal of representing a variety of taxa and leadership levels from around the Zoo. Group members are expected to provide input as we work to update our current behavior and wellbeing policies and procedures and subsequently bring the information back to their teams and peers. The group meets on a monthly basis and consists of the following individuals: Kaitlyn Wiktor, Stephanie Huettner, Christie Eddie, Sarah Jenkins, Stacy Selko, Josh Shandera, Jessica Arnold, Jillian Voss, Jess Mascarello, Kendal Davis, Jen Renaud, Brittany Brunkhorst and Mitch Anderson.

A big congratulations to Browse leaders, Dakota Wagner and Kaley Hubbard, on successfully passing exams to become certified arborists! This certification validates the expertise in how they collect and identify the browse that we feed to our animals and is also a big step in advancing partnerships with Omaha City Parks. As certified arborists, Dakota and Kaley can independently harvest from several areas around town. Last year our browse team provided 270,000lbs of usable fresh browse, over 900lbs of frozen browse and over 11,000lbs of silaged browse, all ensuring browse options for our animals year round, while reducing the amount we purchase. Great work to Dakota and Kaley!

From Dr. Taylor Yaw, Vice President of Science and Animal Health:

Team,

I am deeply honored to step into the role of Vice President of Conservation and Animal Health. Our teams have a tremendous impact on the lives of our animals and the conservation of animals around the world, and I am humbled by the opportunity to lead a team of extraordinary scientists and animal professionals. There are many exciting initiatives in the works for 2025, and I can’t wait to support our team members’ mission-critical work.

Cheers,

Dr. Taylor

The Animal Behavior and Wellbeing team would like to congratulate Hoofstock team members, Leslie and Miranda, on their latest training approximation! After diligently refining their techniques to find a strategy that worked for Penny, they were able to touch the front part of her leg while she remained calm in the GRD. This is an important step towards achieving voluntary hoof care behaviors.

A Perentie lizard hatched and is now on exhibit in the Dome.

WKP received 3 Puerto Rican crested toads from Amphibians – 5 total PRC toads now on exhibit in WKP.

Bird crew worked with Horticulture to trim the large fallen tree in the aviary, from last summer. This opened up space for waterfowl to pass, in addition to providing the trimmings as nesting material for other species.

Happy Birthday!

February Birthdays

Koleen H., Diver

Leah H., Volunteer

Dotty K., Docent

Stefanie M., Diver

Ann Q., Docent

John S., Diver

Becca T., Docent

Deb Z., Docent

We’d love to hear from you! As a valued volunteer, your experience is important to us. Please take a moment to share why you love volunteering with us, or tell us about a specific highlight or memorable moment from your time volunteering. Your story helps inspire others and shows the impact of the incredible work we’re all doing together!

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