The Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center has a new CEO, Dr. Christina Castellano, and she has big plans for the Zoo. Dr. Castellano brings to the job a Doctorate in Biological Sciences and over thirty years of zoo and conservation experience, including breeding endangered species. Her goal is to keep the zoo relevant and interesting by opening something new each year. In 2021 the Zoo began transitioning away from control by the City of Topeka and while there is some County support, the rest comes from admissions, donations and grants. The Zoo has a nine million dollar budget and employs 140 staff. Dr. Castellano is particularly proud of the various educational and conservation projects, like the new Tiger Trails and Den Academy that features hands on and interactive activities. The Zoo is involved in conservation work in 119 countries and has raised 252 million dollars for those projects. It is important that people make a connection with the animals, and accordingly, much of the staff care for the animals is now done in view of the public. Fund raising for the new Zoo is now a year round activity.
