You can help support the Academy's live animals!

The Academy is home to more than 60 live mammals, reptiles and invertebrates. Our ambassador animals help forge meaningful and personal connections to nature through our programming in our Outside In exhibit, daily live shows and a variety of school programs. These animals were born in captivity or are non-releasable wildlife and would not survive on their own in the wild. Giving them a new chance at life, they help us teach visitors about conservation and the environment.

Keeping the Academy’s live ambassador animals thriving and healthy is no easy task. In addition to the food, water, wood chips, hay and newspaper it takes to keep the critters fed, watered and comfortable, all of our animals need enrichment. Enrichment is anything that encourages natural behaviors and fulfills the animals’ physical and psychological needs. It can be anything from a textured log for a lizard to a peppermint-scented bed for a skunk to a variety of toys and bedding for our armadillos. The Academy invites you to help take care of our live animals by donating one or more of the items on our wish list. Please be sure to include your contact information so that our critters can thank you for their gift!

Click here to view the Academy's Amazon Wishlist and to purchase items.