When Bob and Dorothy Zink moved to Omaha from Detroit in 1973, a visit to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium looked very different than it does today.
The Zoo was smaller and far less expansive. Just imagine our Zoo with no giraffes, no aquarium, no Lied Jungle. Many of the exhibits that now define the Zoo were still years away. Bob and Dorothy recall that at the time, you could see the entire Zoo in just an afternoon. Today, that is difficult to imagine.
For more than 15 years, the Zinks have been proud Patron members. Through that generosity, they have not only experienced the Zoo’s transformation, they have helped make it possible.
Because being a Patron member is more than a level of access. It is a decision to give. To invest in the future of the Zoo. To be part of the philanthropic community that fuels its growth.
And in the Zinks’ case, it is something even more personal.
Over the years, Bob and Dorothy have watched the Zoo evolve from a simple afternoon outing into a world-renowned destination that inspires millions of guests each year. But for the Zink family, the Zoo has always been about something more meaningful than exhibits and expansion.
It is where their family’s story continues to unfold.
They raised three children who grew up exploring the Zoo’s pathways. Today, their eight grandchildren carry that same curiosity. And with two great-grandchildren due this April, a fourth generation of Zoo lovers is already on the way.
One of their granddaughters could recall Zoo facts in great detail at just three years old, eagerly sharing what she had learned with family friends. Another granddaughter, Megan, recalls, “(The Zoo) is really what started my early interest in wildlife. My parents and grandparents have been taking me to the Zoo for as long as I can remember, and I spent a lot of time as a kid trying to memorize all of the information on the plaques at each exhibit.”
She grew up attending Zoo classes and says the most influential was one she took on conservation efforts. During the class, she visited the Grewcock Center for Conservation & Research and learned from the Zoo’s incredible team of scientists. “This is what initially introduced me to conservation research as a career,” Megan said. “Currently, I’m working on my master’s studying North American river otter genetics. My goal is to look at genetic metrics of population health following their reintroduction into Nebraska in the 1980s and 90s.”
These are the moments where the Zoo’s mission comes to life, inspiring lifelong stewards for animals, their habitats, and the conservation work that protects them.
The Zoo has also been the backdrop for many of the Zink family’s milestones. Bob and Dorothy once celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary by hosting a large party in the Lied Jungle, an evening guests still talk about years later.
And through it all, their Patron membership has quietly powered something bigger.
Patron members are a vital part of the Zoo’s philanthropic foundation. Their support helps advance animal care, expand conservation efforts, and create meaningful experiences for families and learners of all ages. It is the kind of support that shows up everywhere, from behind-the-scenes veterinary care to the moments of wonder guests experience every day.
Each time someone chooses to become a Patron member, they are choosing to be part of that impact.
Because of supporters like the Zinks, the Zoo continues to grow as a place of discovery, learning, and shared family traditions. What was once a Zoo that could be explored in an afternoon has become an immersive experience that sparks curiosity across generations.
And it is made possible by people who choose not just to visit the Zoo, but to invest in it.
To our Patron members, thank you. Your generosity does more than enhance your own experience. It helps shape the future of the Zoo for every guest, every learner, and every generation still to come.