Zoo Idaho Zoological Society Inc

Zoo Idaho Zoological Society

Mission Statement - The Zoo Idaho Zoological Society’s mission is to promote community involvement and financial support to benefit the mission, long-range design, expansion and accreditation of the Zoo Idaho.

Overview - The Zoo Idaho Zoological Society was incorporated May 24, 1994 to support the Zoo Idaho’s mission to increase the public’s knowledge of and appreciation for native North American Wildlife through educational programs and activities, especially to children. The Society is the fund raising arm for the  Zoo Idaho, as well as providing the leadership and volunteers for special event activities, such as Ice Cream Zoofari, OktoBearfest, Roar & Pour, and Zoo Boo; as well as Zoo Camps, Zoo Buddies Literacy Program (with the local libraries on Zoo grounds) and Outreach programs to all the schools in School District 25 and others from Malad to Rexburg. The Society has approximately 300 member households who also contribute to the Zoo and join its volunteer ranks. The Society‘s education auxiliary is the Zoo Trackers, which is composed of all the Zoo Idaho's Education Department volunteers. They work under the supervision of the Curator of Education for the Zoo Idhao in all education programs and activities on the Zoo grounds and in Outreach. The Society also conducted the capital campaign, which raised approximately $1.4 million in cash and in-kind contributions for the  ½ acre natural Grizzly Bear Exhibit.  This opened July 3, 2013.  The board of directors is comprised of community leaders from business and industry, and other areas of the community.

Zoo Idaho – A Sanctuary.  All animals at the Zoo were orphaned, injured, imprinted, born in captivity, or otherwise unable to be relocated into the wild.

What’s New and Coming to the Zoo Idaho?  From an Awesome Grizzly Bear Exhibit to a New Entrance and a Beautiful Wetlands.  The new and amazing Grizzly Bear Exhibit helped set new attendance records for Zoo visitors!  Come visit and experience it.  Hundreds have made return trips with their families to sit in the viewing gallery and observe all the increased natural activity that Stripes and Shoni, the female grizzlies, are exhibiting.   They spend their days in this fantastic natural exhibit, hunting for food and treats hidden by their zoo keepers, swimming in the pond below the cascading stream, and contentedly napping.  They also roam  their half acre exhibit of trees, grass, and lava boulders with the end of the Portneuf Valley and Scout Mountain providing the backdrop for everyone watching her.  

The current project for modernizing the Zoo Idaho is a new Zoo Entrance.  Colored renderings have been completed and work will commence on the designs for construction of the entrance.   It will include a ticket booth area, walk in gift shop, and public restrooms.  The project will also address the steep walkway to the entrance.  Inside the entrance will be a wide plaza, where people will be able to sit and rest at a picnic table and enjoy something to eat.  Visitors will be able to stay longer and have access to more of the amenities they need to better enjoy the Zoo. 

Any gift or pledge that you can make would be greatly appreciated!  All contributions of $100 or more will be recognized at the Zoo Entrance.  There will be unique recognition and naming opportunities available with gifts of $1,000 or more for various parts of the project. To help, you can donate on–line at zooidahozs.org or contact Yolanda Salas, Adminstrative Assistant, at (208) 234-6264, pocatellozoosociety@gmail.com. The Zoo Idaho Zoological Society is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.  Your Contribution will make a difference!