Zoo News

Untitled 10 has selected four artists for this year's event – each one using different materials with a style all their own. 

The male kitten was born in late July to seven-year-old mom Salkhi and six-year-old dad Kaz. 

Horseshoe crabs do not typically lay eggs and hatch in submerged aquarium settings. 

Guests will be able to see Mario around the giraffe barn as he settles in.

To defend themselves, GAMs curl up into a ball. They will also secrete a fluid called from segments in their body to deter predators.

El Nino is partners with Maya. While neither of them are gifted at incubating eggs, they are the biological parents of one-year-old Sammy.

This transformative gift is given in support of the merger between GPZ and BHA, and the effort to unite all elements of land, sea, and sky in one location – including building a world-class aquarium and butterfly rainforest on the zoo campus.

Zoofari is an opportunity for adults (21+) to experience the magic of the natural world as they explore the zoo – with animal encounters, themed food stations and signature cocktails, and activities around practically every corner.

Eastern Shores is a new touch pool experience featuring diverse species like horseshoe crabs, sea stars, spider crabs, knobbed whelks, channeled whelks, purple urchins, sheepshead minnows, and killifish.

Eli is the newest addition to Ambassador Alley!

Quince love jumping up on rocks - as high as he can - and then teaching bad habits to his chicks.

After 31 years, we are thrilled to hear the roar of lions again, as we welcome Simba and Amahle to the Great Plains Zoo!

Pippa wears a yellow flipper band and is usually found in a nest box near the back of the penguin habitat with her partner, Quince.

Horseshoe crabs are actually not crabs at all but are more closely related to scorpions.

We remember Chioke as a gentle, curious, mischievous giraffe who was always up for feedings and interacting with his keepers and guests.

There are currently 29 quail living in the Butterfly House & Aquarium's Conservatory. Many of the quail are named for horror movie villains, including Jason, Freddie, and Michael.

Iago has been known to incubate rocks and toys.

Great Plains Zoo and Butterfly House & Aquarium unveil a transformative 15-year vision for the zoo campus at March 26 city council informational meeting.

Time to spotlight a new member of the BHA family!

Maya was born at GPZ in 2016.

Scammers are placing social media ads advertising zoo ticket packages that are 4 for $6.95.

The natural range of this butterfly includes Brazil, Central America, and limited sightings in Florida.

Tadeo is an excellent nest-builder. He likes to hang out on the rocks in the middle of the long row of nest boxes, right in front of his own box.

Each form submission of six names costs $6. Proceeds from the votes will contribute to the care of the wolves, as well as future renovations to their habitat.

BHA’s three short-tail nurse sharks were introduced to the Under the Dock exhibit in January 2023.

Sammy was born at the zoo in July 2023. He is easy to identify, because unlike the rest of the troop, he still has juvenile grey feathers.

Preparing the ornaments has been a months-long process, with employees from various teams – including Animal Care, Marketing, Facilities, Education, and Volunteer – working on a wide range of components.

Curated by Sioux Falls art collective Untitled.10, Creative Creatures brings art out of the gallery and into the zoo. 2023's event will center on nine local artists creating original murals on the large, white wall in the zoo lobby.

SOC is a nonprofit providing immersive, original research experiences in Costa Rica for high school students in grades 9-12.

Out of an abundance of caution, leaders from the City of Sioux Falls and Great Plains Zoo have agreed to close the museum, while a decision can be made about the future of the animals.

The chick hatched June 16, and has been under close surveillance by GPZ Animal Care and Veterinary teams. Caregivers are pleased with how the chick is progressing and will continue weekly health checkups.

The pups were born to parents Camelia and Uyosi, who arrived at GPZ in October from facilities in Washington and Texas. This litter, comprised of two females and four males, is the first for both parents.

This species-specific habitat will provide a dynamic environment for a pride of lions, providing engaging year-round indoor/outdoor public viewing opportunities. It will feature two indoor viewing spaces, a training window, and a kopje rock viewing area, in addition to multiple outdoor yards for the lions.  

We are thrilled to announce the creation of Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium board of directors, the unified governing body for the Great Plains Zoo (GPZ) and Butterfly House & Aquarium (BHA).