Pittsburgh AAZK Chapter

Happy National Zookeeper Week from Pittsburgh AAZK!

Last chance to register for this year's Bowling for Rhinos event and get a Tshirt! Sign up by the end of the day tomorrow 6/30 to secure your spot and help save rhinos!
We look forward to seeing everyone there!

For tickets and more information use our QR code or the link below!
Bowling for Rhinos 2026 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bowling-for-rhinos-2026-tickets-1989350759674?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile

We also wanted to thank our sponsors: Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, Rhino Plumbing, and Gary's Animal Kare!

We are now in the last week to get your Bowling for Rhinos tickets (with a t-shirt)! Registration ends on 6/30 so make sure to sign up soon!

If you are unable to make it to our August 15th event at Pines Plaza Lanes you can still preorder our Bowling for Rhinos 2026 t-shirt on our eventbrite site and support rhino conservation!

For tickets and more information use our link below! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bowling-for-rhinos-2026-tickets-1989350759674?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile

We also wanted to give a big thank you to our sponsors: Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, Rhino Plumbing, and Gary's Animal Kare!

Bowling for Rhinos signups run through June 30th! Register today to secure your spot and help support Rhino conservation!

For tickets and more information use our QR code or the link below!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bowling-for-rhinos-2026-tickets-1989350759674?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile

We also wanted to give a big thank you to our sponsors: Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, Rhino Plumbing, and Gary's Animal Kare!

We are excited to announce that our highly anticipated family fun event is now live! Join us for Bowling for Rhinos 2026: Pins for Pachyderms and help support rhino conservation on August 15th!

For tickets and more information use our QR code or the link below!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bowling-for-rhinos-2026-tickets-1989350759674?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile

We also wanted to give a big thank you to our sponsors: Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, Rhino Plumbing, and Gary's Animal Kare!

Happy Cinco de Rhino!

There are 5 remaining species of Rhino and we would like to celebrate them today by showing off our Bowling for Rhinos logo for this year!

Congratulations to our contest winner Grayson and thank you to our other participants!!

Registration for our Bowling for Rhinos event is coming soon so keep your eyes out 🎳🦏

It’s Earth Day! As we drift in this vast universe, how lucky are we that we can call the earth home?

We share our planet with 2.5 million known different species of organisms, but there may be up to 7.7 million species total! There are around 38,500 species currently listed by the ICUN as at risk of extinction, and that is with only around 28% of all known species assessed. Up to 70% of plants assessed are under threat. There is so much left to discover and so much to cherish and protect.

Some species that are on the verge of extinction include the vaquita which is the most endangered marine mammal with only around 9 individuals left on the planet. And one species a bit closer to home whom has been kept from extinction by accredited zoos and other facilities is the Guam Kingfisher! There are only around 130 Guam Kingfishers left in the world, and you can see some right here in Pittsburgh at the National Aviary)!

As we take a moment to appreciate all the amazing species we share our planet with, consider what small ways you can help protect the planet. Here are some great ideas: https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-tips/

How are you celebrating Earth Day?

Wow, it's warm today (at least compared to last week)! We hope you stay as cool as these lorikeets with their frozen fruit ice treats!
Rainbow lorikeets live in Australia and eat mostly fruit and nectar. Just like us, they enjoy some popsicles on warm days.
You can see (and feed!) rainbow lorikeets at the National Aviary
How are you staying cool in today’s warm weather?

Today is Pygmy Hippo Day!!
There are only two species of hippos in the world: the common or Nile hippopotamus and the endangered pygmy hippopotamus.

Native to the swamps and forests of West Africa, these small hippos are less than ¼ the weight of their larger cousins. Pygmy hippos are semiaquatic herbivores that rely on water for food and to keep cool, but spend much more time on land than common hippos. Like their larger cousins they secrete ‘blood sweat’ from their skin which has antiseptic and sunscreen properties. The substance is actually hipposudoric acid and is not blood or sweat.

As of 2015 there are only an estimated 2,500 pygmy hippos left in the wild, mostly due to loss of habitat and poaching.
You can help pygmy hippos by purchasing sustainable palm oil products that will reduce deforestation caused by agriculture. There are lists of sustainable brands online or you can download the PalmOil Scan mobile app where you can scan barcodes to check products.
You can also see them and support conservation by visiting the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium!