Tell Us Your Story

Each year Utah's Hogle Zoo has thousands and thousands of visitors.  Many of our guests have wonderful experiences that they'd like to share.  This page offers the opportunity for our Zoo visitors to share their heart warming, memorable, exciting and just fun adventures about Hogle Zoo. If you would like to tell us about your Zoo visit or about what you like about Hogle Zoo fill out the form below. If you would like to submit a photo or a drawing to go along with your story, click here.   Submissions will be posted after review and nothing deemed offensive or derogatory will be accepted. 

Your Story:


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SUBMITTED ITEMS


My son (age 6) and I came to the zoo on 2/17/2013 a very cold day but still well worth the time. I take this time to share a small story as I don't think enough people share positive customer service experiences as much as they are quick to share the negative ones.
My son adores the repitile building, specifically the bats. We walked into the building and he had spotted a worker and quickly ran up to her asking where the bats where located. The worker "Emily" pointed in the directions of the small and large bats but she quickly offered to walk over with him to show him the large bats. She then stood there and provided a mini bat 101 lesson and my son was overjoyed by all the information. Its these experiences and encounters that when the time comes to renew annual membership or explore other options that will keep me coming back to the zoo. Thank you Emily and Thank you Hogle Zoo.
  

 

 


My first trip to the zoo was in Philadelphia when I was 3. That trip was the first time I saw a giraffe and it was love at first sight. That love has grown into an obsession. When I found out about the animal encounters I talked about it nearly every day. My lifelong dream has been to actually touch a giraffe. The schedule worked out for me to come in not just for my birthday, but on my birthday. It was every bit as magical as I imagined when I was 3, even though I had to wait 32 years. Thank you for making this overgrown little girl's dream come true!
 
  

 -submitted by Heidi Clark

 


I have been a Utah resident for 40 years, and am just so pleased, proud, and amazed at the Zoo's growth and progress over the years.
 
I would like to give a huge commendation to the Bird Show!! It is outstanding, engaging, original, fascinating, educational, beautiful, and funny. My family and I so enjoyed the experience. The staff are outstanding, I saw them at the top when the zoo opened with a beautiful bird for us to enjoy, and then they even took the time to let us take pictures with them. We really appreciate all the work that went into that show!! Thank you.
 
We also would like to give a outstanding commendation to Rocky Shores!! The polarbear habitat was so exciting and fun!!! We will be back there again and again.
 
We absolutely enjoyed the whole zoo, from the small things like the whole dead bug exhibit, bats, snakes, to the big elephants and giraffes. Thanks again for all the efforts, improvements, shows, shady spaces to relax and enjoy our time there. We were proud to donate to your cause, it was such a enjoyable experience.
 

 

 -submitted by Colleen Freeze

 

We were at the Hogle Zoo on Sunday July 22nd. We have been avid annual members since my children were newborns. We have always enjoyed our visit. However, yesterday was an incredible day and the new Rocky Shores is a FANTASTIC new addition.

Attached are 2 photos of my 3 year old and your Polar Bear. The Polar Bear was being a total show off and came up right in front of my son. It was by far the highlight of our trip and he cannot stop talking about it. Can’t wait to come back.
 
By the way, your staff is always great!

 

 -submittted by Chet Samuelson

 

We were at the zoo all day yesterday. We had such a blast. Thank you for having so many Zoo Explorers out and about. We were able to ask questions and get them answered, even the teenagers with us got interested. We really loved the opportunity to learn so much.

 

 -submittted by Danielle Pace

 

This was Zoe's first time seeing a polar bear swimming. Thanks for making her dreams come true. Priceless.



-submittted by Jayne Benedict

 

 

 

 

Our visit to Rocky Shores was amazing.  I can’t express how much we enjoyed our visit.



 

-submittted by Heidi Hawk

 

 

 

 

I just wanted to tell you that I have been going to your zoo for the last 9 years. I love it! My children learn something new each time we go and it is a delight. I am an author and the last time we went there I took several pictures. One of which I was in front of the orangutang, I sat down and opened my book hoping he would come look. Sure enough! I opened my book and he looked right over my shoulder! The picture looks like I'm reading to him and that he is listening.
Thank you for all you do!

-submittted by Melynda and family


I remember going to the zoo with my great grandfather when I was a small child. He was a great man. We looked at all your animals and enjoyed our visits. However, his favorite animal, the one we spent the most time with was your elephants. We would always bring peanuts and feed them the entire bag. They loved it, and I loved the look on Grandpas' face every time we went and the first elephant would come up to us, expecting to be given a special treat from this special man. He was extraordinary and a really kind man. Thank you, Hogle Zoo, for being able to bring that sunshine to his life. I like think it made him incredibly happy to see those elephants each and every time he took my siblings and I to your zoo.

-submittted by Sandie

I want to tell you the two funniest things I have ever experienced, when  was in the reptiles and small animal biulding, the kinkajou kept on doing backflips of the side of its cage! and one other time, the cokatoo did a little dance for me and my mom. anyway, I hope you enjoy my story!

-from your animal admirer, Hailey Randall

I want to tell you about our day. We were there to celebrate the birthday of my great nephew who turned one earlier this week. A year ago today he was life flighted at age 3days old and is now on a heart transplant list. This birthday celebration was to celebrate his being born, surviving a year, and a memory maker for his mom in case he doesn't survive another year.

The day was warm, the breeze perfect, lots of wonderful shade, mister fans (love these!!) and the zoo was clean and wonderful. I had my special needs son there and was so happy that there was changing rooms available for diapering and wide paths with ramps for strollers/wheelchairs. There wasn't any area we went to that we couldn't take him to.

Thank you so much- all that shade was great for him and for my nephew- the heat would be detrimental to both of their health without the shade and misters. Anyway- it was a beautiful day with wonderful memories and lots of sweet touching moments and photos- and at a decent price as well.

Just thought I would share. Thanks again.

-Submitted by Sherri Bunn

Thank you, Hogle Zoo, for letting everyone celebrate Zuri's first birthday with her!  Watching her toss the Tootsie Roll and Smarties over her head made me laugh! 

I have loved visiting Hogle Zoo since I was a kid.  The elephants have always been my favorite -- it's so fun to have a baby elephant AND the oldest elephant in North America at our zoo! :)

-Submitted by Kay Lynn Mangum

I love every thing about Hogle Zoo!!!! I love all animals!!!!

-Submitted by Melba Porter

I was so ecstatic when I found out that your elephant here at the Hogle Zoo was born!! Elephants have been my favorite animals ever since I was a little girl. I just LOVED seeing the new baby.  I never wanted to leave the zoo especially after seeing the new baby elephant. I really hope to visit the zoo again really soon so I can see all the amazing animals once again.

-Submitted by Brianna


Hello there! I just want to send a little note sending our condolences for little Jamar. We are heart broken. He was our favorite animal at the Zoo and my little girl decided her favorite animals are giraffes after we met him. Here is a photo of our first meeting. My daughter was so excited to be up so close and personal with him. He will be missed. RIP little Jamar!

-Submitted by Crystal Lindeman

 

 


I love the zoo.  We go as a family often, but I was really excited to come across your wonderful web site.  I teach 4th grade and we study Utah animals.  I love the link to Native Utah Animals.  It helped my student to see and understand their assigned animal to study.  Thank you.

-Submitted by LeAnn Andrew, 4th grade teacher, Brookside Elementary, Springville, UT

When Acara the orangutan was younger I went to the zoo with my boyfriend to see her. I would put my hand on the glass and she would put her hand on mine with the glass in between. It was like she was giving me a high five. When my boyfriend tried to do the same thing Acara did a head stand and put her bottom on the glass instead! It was so funny! I love the babies at the zoo and I'm so glad we keep getting new animals.

I'm new to Salt Lake and I'm here to study biology with an emphasis in zoology at the University of Utah. I was told about the zoo by some students on campus and decided to come check it out. I was very impressed by all the exhibits and had a great time at your zoo.  I was very happy to see a good amount of baby announcements, especially the newborn elephant. Thanks for the awesome experience, I know I'll be back again once it warms up or even sooner.

We love animals, and we love going to the zoo! We especially love it when we get to see the baby animals. We loved it when we saw the baby Golden Lion Tamarins. They were so tiny and sweet riding on their daddy's back. We loved seeing the baby Meerkats sliding down the rock like little kittens. We loved watching the mommy snow leopard giving her baby a bath. Our last trip to the zoo we got to see a baby giraffe. So slender and so tall. The baby giraffe was taller than us! We love going to the zoo.

-Submitted by Ezra (7) and Noah (5)

Here is a link to our dad's blog where you can see a slideshow with more animals from our trip.

 

I visited Hogle Zoo and got a chance to shoot some pictures of the Siberian Tiger. I would like to share the pictures which I got and would like to get your comments. The pictures can be viewed here.



-Submitted by Ratish Naroor

Check out more of Ratish Naroor's photos Hogle Zoo animals here.

 

 

I'm "sharing our story" of my kids visit to the Zoo. I love this photo of my son "talking" to Vladamir the Amur Leopard. They are both so interested in each other. The Leopards and Tigers are both my sons' favorites.

Thanks!

-Submitted by Marie Fuertes

 


I couldn't wait to let you know how our visit to the Zoo Lights went. It was the first time that I have ever attended such a beautiful sight. The lights just glowed against the white snow....making every thing around them sparkle. It was without a doubt one of the most inspiring things I have ever been able to see. Whomever thought of this was a genius. I watched children of all ages enjoy the lights and the carousel. Keep up the great work.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas.

-Submitted by Gerry Ann Marty 

I am Gabi Dodson, an eleven year old girl who's dad operated on the female gorilla at the Hogle Zoo. I got to see the whole Zoo! I was so excited. I loved seeing the gigantic elephants, and wild monkey's. It was amazing, and I hope I can volunteer at the Zoo soon!

              -Submitted by Gabi Dodson

 

 

Art work submitted by Luke Perkins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2600 East Sunnyside Avenue | Salt Lake City, Utah 84108 | (801) 582-1631