The Kansas City Zoo is the best place for kiddos to learn about animals and get hands-on experiences. Sean Putney, Executive Director and CEO, is a big reason the zoo is so welcoming to all ages. He began his 30-year career at Catalina Island Marine Institute in California then spent 12 years at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo working his way up through animal care and curator positions.
In 2007, Sean joined the Kansas City Zoo as an animal curator and spent five years in that position before being named Director of Living Collections. In 2016, he became Senior Director of Zoological Operations and in 2019, was promoted to Chief Zoological Officer, overseeing the zoo’s animal collection, animal care staff, conservation program, veterinary health department and facilities. Sean became the CEO and Executive Director of the zoo January 2022.
He explained, “There are many activities daily for kids, including:
Daily animal chats: Ask all your questions about some of your favorite animals and get them answered by our animal care specialists!
Animal Adventures LIVE: Come see Animal Adventures LIVE and watch as our animal ambassadors show off their skills and talents in a special performance! Sponsored by US Bank.
Lorikeet Feedings: Have you ever had a bird land on your head? You might at this lorikeet encounter. Feed our colorful birds nectar and you'll have a friend for life. Please note that for the health of our animals, there is a limited amount of food available so not all zoo guests may be able to feed.
Stingray Bay: Just past the penguin building is Stingray Bay, which opened in 2018. Don’t miss the chance to touch the stingrays and maybe even a white-spotted bamboo shark!
Feeding Goats: Bring quarters because you’re going to want them at the next two stops! Next door to Discovery Barn, you can purchase goat food in the Three Billy Goats Gruff Yard, then you have the chance to feed a dromedary camel! These are great interactive opportunities for making memories!”
Youngsters will love meeting the new babies, including Zumi the eastern black rhinoceros calf, who was born on December 31 to mother Zuri. There are only about 1,300 of this type of rhino left in the wild so this birth is also important for the subspecies as a whole.
“We are thrilled to introduce this new arrival to Kansas City!” Sean noted. “Zumi was named after the fact that her mom gets the zoomies, it can also be translated to ‘happy dance.’”
Nanas the Bornean orangutan baby was born May 8 to mother Josie. Orangutan infants have long-lasting relationships with their mothers, so Josie will spend the next several years showing the new baby vital orangutan skills like how to build nests, where to find food, how to interact with others, and how to use tools to forage.
The Bornean orangutan is a species native to the island of Borneo and is classified as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List primarily due to deforestation. The zoo formed the CREATE Project in partnership with APE Malaysia, aimed at long-term habitat restoration in the Kinabatangan rainforest of Borneo. The wildlife sanctuary under restoration is home to many species, including orangutans.
Two more babies are Flo and Jet, North American River Otter pups, born March 4 to their mom Ursula.
“They recently made their debut in the outdoor habitat! Ursula and her pups will typically be in the outdoor habitat each morning, but it will be up to them as to whether they enter the area viewable to the public. Skokie, our male otter, will be in the habitat when mom and the pups decide to head back inside,” Sean smiled. “We can’t wait for you to see Flo and Jet in action!”
The Zoo will be opening the brand-new 650,000-gallon Sobela Ocean Aquarium September 1, which will feature six zones with 34 exhibits that will tell the story of how ocean currents connect animals across the globe. Zoo visitors will enjoy up-close and personal experiences, beginning at the warm-water shore habitat and traveling “deeper” through mangrove forests, sandy shores, tropical lagoons and coral reefs. They can “ascend” through a kelp forest and end at a cold-water rocky shore. Each habitat will showcase a variety of fascinating ocean life, immersing visitors in the experience of being at the ocean.
“The zoo is always improving to create a more inclusive experience for all guests,” he concluded.
Find schedules on their website: kansascityzoo.org/daily-schedule.