11 Feb 2026

Another Doggone Trivia Night at Niabi Zoo on February 26

By Joel Vanderbush

COAL VALLEY, ILLINOIS (February 11, 2026) — Tired of the same old evening plans? Looking to get WILD?

Prepare your pack to take on Another Doggone Trivia Night!

12 Jun 2024

Conservation Speaker Series: The Legacy of Dr Anne Innis Dagg as Told by Mary Dagg

By Joel Vanderbush

COAL VALLEY, ILLINOIS (June 12, 2024) — Recently, the zoology community lost an icon with the passing of Dr Anne Innis Dagg. Credited as the first person to study wild giraffes as early as 1956, Anne was a pioneer in the study of animal behavior and a powerful force in the work of wildlife conservation.

29 May 2023

Breakfast with the Giraffe at Niabi Zoo

By Joel Vanderbush

COAL VALLEY, ILLINOIS (May 29, 2023) — As we celebrate the longest day of the year on World Giraffe Day, enjoy a tall order of breakfast, then go on a tour to meet our tall boy Kenya at the Giraffe barn. Find out how zookeepers care for this endangered species as we work to stave off what is being considered a “silent extinction.” It’s time to make some noise to help protect this lofty animal.

Child (age 2 and under) = Free

Member — Child (age 3-12) = $20

08 Feb 2023

Conservation Dinner with Dr Greg Rasmussen on March 18

By Joel Vanderbush

COAL VALLEY, ILLINOIS (February 8, 2023) — Niabi is excited to welcome back to the Quad Cities, our conservation partner, Dr Greg Rasmussen from Painted Dog Research Trust in Zimbabwe for a lively, in-person presentation about the newest species coming to Niabi Zoo in 2023, African Painted Dogs.

07 Feb 2023

Junior Zoo Keeper Applications Now Available

By Joel Vanderbush

COAL VALLEY, ILLINOIS (February 7, 2023) — Do you know a teenager that loves animals, science, or conservation? We thought so! 

Niabi Zoo is excited to welcome a new group of motivated students eager to learn and gain experience as a volunteer at our zoological park this summer.

What is a Junior Zoo Keeper (JZK) you might ask?

A JZK is a student between the ages fourteen to seventeen that:

09 Aug 2019

Pints for Preservation Volunteers

By Joel Vanderbush

COAL VALLEY, ILLINOIS (August 8, 2019) — Our biggest Adult fundraising event of the year, Pints for Preservation, will take place on Friday, August 23, at Niabi Zoo (13010 Niabi Zoo Road, Coal Valley, Illinois 61240). We still need lots of help to make the event a success. You can also invite your adult friends to volunteer for the event. Each volunteer over will receive a free Pints for Preservation t-shirt.

Here are the volunteer positions:

17 Aug 2017

Niabi Zoo: Pints for Preservation Volunteers Needed

By Joel Vanderbush
On Friday, August 25, the Zoo will host our biggest fundraiser of the year, Pints for Preservation! In order to transform the Zoo into the social venue of the season for adults, we will need many volunteers to help set up and operate drink stations throughout the night. Here’s a breakdown of what we need:
  • Set-up: 2:30-5:30pm – we will need 20 volunteers to help set up tables and chairs around the grounds.

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

    

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.