Animal Ambassadors
Remembering ambassadors and the connections they helped create
What are animal ambassadors?
At Utah’s Hogle Zoo, some of the most meaningful connections happen beyond the habitats. Animal ambassadors, or animals that participate in educational programs to connect people to wildlife, meet guests up close, travel to schools and community events, and help spark curiosity and care for the natural world. Through them, visitors learn how every species, big or small, plays a role in their unique ecosystems. Animal ambassadors help guests better understand wildlife conservation, the challenges animals face in the wild, and how small everyday actions can make a difference.
Animal ambassadors are specially trained and cared for in a collaborative effort between animal care and education teams. Each year, Hogle Zoo’s education team travels to more than 150 second-grade classrooms through the Informal Science Education Enhancement (iSEE) program with animal ambassadors. This outreach sparks students’ curiosity and sense of wonder by offering opportunities to experience and practice science firsthand and discover potential career paths in science and conservation.
Zoo guests can also meet animal ambassadors during select daily programs and special events, helping Hogle Zoo achieve our mission of creating champions for wildlife by making connections between people and animals to inspire action.
Remembering two special ambassadors
Recently, the zoo said goodbye to beloved members of our ambassador team who have helped carry this mission forward: Apollo, a western screech owl, Amun, an Egyptian sandfish, and Tippy, an American kestrel.
Apollo
Apollo came to Hogle Zoo in 2015 after being raised by people and was unable to live independently in his natural habitat. At the zoo, he became an incredible advocate for wildlife. Despite his small size, Apollo made a big impression, teaching guests about owl adaptations, species found in Utah, and why wild animals should never be kept as pets. He also helped share messages about protecting wildlife, avoiding rodent poison usage in the environment, and keeping ecosystems healthy. Over the years, Apollo visited countless classrooms, media appearances, and even the Utah State Capitol, inspiring those he met to care for wild places and the animals who depend on them.
Amun
Despite what his name might suggest, Amun was an Egyptian sandfish—a small, desert-dwelling lizard known for “swimming” beneath the sand. Found in the deserts of Africa, this species can move quickly through dunes and even breathe in the tiny air pockets between grains of sand. Spending the majority of their lives beneath the surface, they wait for the subtle vibrations of insects above to signal their next meal. Amun was a favorite during the zoo’s Trivia Tuesday ambassador program, where guests had the unique opportunity to see a lesser-known species up close. His unique adaptations and calm nature left a lasting impression on everyone who met him.
Tippy
Tippy came to Hogle Zoo in April 2019 as a human-imprinted American kestrel, meaning she was unable to live independently in her natural habitat. At the zoo, she found a permanent home with the Animal Ambassador team, where she quickly became a trailblazer in training. Tippy was one of the first raptors at the zoo to be trained using operant conditioning that allowed her to actively choose to participate in programs. She was trained to fly to a glove when called, signaling that she wanted to engage, a meaningful step in wellbeing and choice.
Though small in size, Tippy had an outsized presence. She was known for her charisma, intelligence, and bold personality, captivating guests while helping educators share important messages about local conservation, microraptors, and the vital roles even the smallest species play in healthy ecosystems. Through programs, events, and hands-on education, Tippy helped countless people better understand and appreciate American kestrels and the challenges they face in their natural habitat.
Apollo, Amun, and Tippy will be greatly missed by guests and staff alike who shared connections with these amazing animals. Their legacy lives through the countless moments of wonder they sparked and the compassion for wildlife they helped inspire.
Animal Wellbeing
Hogle Zoo is committed to providing excellent animal wellbeing for every animal in its care, including those in the ambassador program. Each ambassador animal has choice and control to participate in training sessions and educational programs. Through positive reinforcement and relationship-based training, ambassador animals build trust with their care teams and have opportunities to express natural behaviors while inspiring meaningful connections with guests.
Follow us @HogleZoo for more Zoo Stories
Utah's Hogle Zoo 