Your Exclusive Look Behind-the-Scenes at the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Spring is always exciting at the nationally acclaimed Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha. It brings a season of new life, fresh exhibits, and unique experiences that make the zoo worth multiple visits in the coming months. I recently had the privilege of touring several behind-the-scenes areas with the zoo's conservation team. I was among the first to see what visitors can expect this spring.
Spring is bringing new life to Omaha and the zoo. The most heart-warming attraction this spring is the zoo's nursery, where several newborns are making their first appearances.
Kala, a six-week-old snow leopard cub, was born as part of the zoo's participation in the Species Survival Plan and is the show's star. "Kala represents an essential addition to the snow leopard population," explains Dr. Jennifer Michaels, the zoo's lead reproductive specialist. "With fewer than 4,000 snow leopards remaining in the wild, every successful birth in captivity helps us better understand these elusive cats and contributes to genetic diversity."
Visitors can view Kala and her mother through the nursery's viewing window during regular feeding times (10 AM and 2 PM daily). Zoologists are on hand to answer questions and provide insights into snow leopard conservation.
Other notable nursery residents include:
• Three African painted dog puppies, born in February to first-time mother Imara
• A Bornean orangutan infant named Indah, who can be seen clinging to her mother in the newly renovated Hubbard Orangutan Forest
• Twin emperor tamarin monkeys, recognizable by their impressively long white mustaches despite being only the size of a human thumb
Perhaps the most ambitious addition to the zoo this year is the newly completed Grasslands Expedition, a five-year-in-development, 15-acre immersive recreation of the African savanna. Opening officially on April 15, this expansive habitat represents a $31 million investment and a fundamental shift in how the zoo approaches animal habitats.
"We've moved away from the old model of separating species into isolated exhibits," says Chief Operations Officer Michael Thompson. "The Grasslands Expedition brings together multiple species in a landscape that mimics their natural environment, creating more dynamic and enriching spaces for both animals and visitors."
The Grasslands Expedition is new and boasts some excellent new features like the 360-degree panoramic viewing platform that puts visitors at eye level with giraffes; the mixed-species habitat housing zebras, ostriches, and antelope in a single expansive space; Underground viewing areas where visitors can watch elephants cool off in a 65,000-gallon pool; State-of-the-art climate control systems that allow year-round operation despite Nebraska's seasonal extremes, and more.
The most innovative aspect of the Grasslands Expedition is the rotating habitat system, which allows different species to access various parts of the exhibit throughout the day, stimulating natural behaviors and providing constant enrichment.
The reef tank expansion is complete. After two years of careful cultivation, the zoo's expanded Indo-Pacific Reef Tank is now home to one of the most diverse collections of coral in any U.S. Zoo. The 75,000-gallon tank has been redesigned with cutting-edge filtration systems and specialized LED lighting that mimics the exact spectrum of sunlight at various ocean depths.
"What makes our reef system special is that approximately 40% of our coral was aquacultured right here at the zoo," explains marine biologist Dr. Sarah Chen. "Many of these specimens were grown from fragments the size of a quarter and have now developed into stunning colonies."
The newly expanded reef hosts over 500 fish representing 93 species, including several rarely seen in captivity. Don't miss the recently added blue-ringed octopus display, featuring one of the ocean's most beautiful yet deadly creatures in a special secure exhibit with interpretive information about marine toxicology.
For children, the new "Touch the Reef" tide pool allows supervised interaction with hardy invertebrates like sea stars, anemones, and horseshoe crabs, all accompanied by educators who explain the importance of healthy ocean ecosystems.
This spring, the zoo offers unprecedented access to its conservation efforts through a new series of special tours called "Conservation in Action." These limited-capacity experiences (reservation required) take visitors into customarily restricted areas to see how the zoo contributes to global wildlife preservation.
I participated in the Amphibian Conservation tour, where dedicated specialists are working to save critically endangered Panamanian golden frogs from extinction due to a devastating fungal disease. In a laboratory setting that resembles a high-tech clean room more than a traditional zoo exhibit, these tiny yellow amphibians are being bred as an assurance population that could someday repopulate their native forests.
"Many people don't realize that some of our most important conservation work happens entirely behind the scenes," says head amphibian keeper Thomas Rodriguez. "These frogs require particular conditions - from the mineral content of their water to the beneficial bacteria in their environment. What we're learning here applies to these frogs and amphibian conservation worldwide."
This Spring, the zoo offers scheduled behind-the-scenes tours:
• Veterinary Hospital Tour (Thursdays, 11 AM)
• Insect Propagation Laboratory (Tuesdays, 1 PM)
• Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center (Mondays and Fridays, 10 AM)
• Plant Cultivation Greenhouse (Wednesdays, 2 PM)
If you'd like to participate in a tour, each tour costs $30 in addition to regular admission, and the proceeds directly support the zoo's conservation initiatives. Zoo members receive a 20% discount.
Spring brings a new calendar of special events at the zoo:
Earth Day Celebration (April 22) - Featuring recyclable art competitions, conservation presentations, and special keeper talks focused on endangered species. Solar-powered shuttle buses will provide free transportation from downtown Omaha.
Bloom & Butterflies Festival (May 3-4) - The botanical gardens will showcase thousands of spring flowers alongside the seasonal opening of the butterfly pavilion, where visitors can walk among more than 20 species of free-flying butterflies.
World Penguin Weekend (May 17-18) - The newly expanded Penguin Shore exhibit will be the center of attention with special feedings, research demonstrations, and the debut of the zoo's first-ever 4D documentary "Life on the Ice," produced in collaboration with National Geographic.
Twilight at the Zoo (Thursday evenings, May through September) - The zoo will remain open until 9 PM on Thursdays, offering adults-only evening access with specialty food vendors, craft cocktails, live music, and talks from researchers in a more relaxed setting.
Conservation Impact: Your Visit Makes a Difference
It's worth noting that every visit to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo directly supports local and global conservation efforts. The zoo participates in 49 different Species Survival Plans and funds field research on four continents.
"We're particularly proud of our work with Nebraska native species," says Conservation Director Dr. Emily Sutton. "Many visitors don't realize that we're actively involved in restoring prairie butterfly populations, breeding endangered freshwater mussels for release into local watersheds, and monitoring the health of bat colonies throughout the state."
Your visit to the zoo makes a big difference for conservation efforts. Did you know that a portion of the proceeds from your admission ticket and / or zoo membership helps finance conservation efforts, making your family's fun day at the zoo an investment in wildlife preservation.
Plan Your Visit
Spring Hours (April-May): 9 AM to 5 PM daily, with extended hours until 9 PM on Thursdays beginning in May.
Admission: Adults $24.95, Children (3-11) $16.95, Seniors $21.95, and children under 3 free. Family membership options begin at $119 and include unlimited visits for one year.
Nancy Heim - Berg Team's Pro Tips:
• To see the most active animals, plan your visit for early morning or late afternoon
• The new Grasslands Expedition is best experienced in the morning hours when animals are most active
• The zoo launched a new mobile app, complete with real-time updates on animal feedings and presentations
• If you want to avoid crowds, especially at the new exhibits, then consider a weekday visit to
• Save time by purchasing tickets online.
With over 17,000 animals representing 962 species, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium continues to rank among the world's leading zoological institutions. This spring's new arrivals, expanded exhibits, and special events make it an ideal time to experience the wonder of wildlife conservation.
Whether you're considering selling this spring or want to discuss home improvement projects that add value, we are always here to help with real estate questions. Call us at (402) 677-9024 or visit our website at www.omahaarealiving.com.
Have fun at the zoo!
The Heim-Berg Team
