Denver Zoo's Wish List

By donating an item on Denver Zoo’s “Wish List,” you can be recognized as a zoo donor, qualify for a charitable deduction, and provide needed supplies and materials that enrich the environment for our animals and support the zoo’s many programs and activities – from education classes to field biologists to grounds maintenance and everything in between!  Donations of items on the wish list save the zoo funds that can then be used for other important initiatives.
Currently, we can use the following items:

Below is a list of wish list items always accepted by Denver Zoo.

Animal Requests

• Oscillating fan
• Baby mobiles, rattles and plastic toys (no stuffed animals, please)
• Essential oils and perfumes -- unopened
• Kitchen spices and extracts (peppermint, vanilla, etc.) – unopened
• Canned tuna and salmon in water
• Stall© Snacks
• Nylabone© Healthy Edibles - fruit flavors preferred
• Kong© toys (large preferred)
• Powdered sugar free jello or kool aid
• Popcorn Kernels – plain
• Air popcorn popper
• Racquet balls (for Ruka the serval)
• Large wooden bird toys (for parrots)

What is enrichment? Enrichment provides mental and physical stimulation for animals and encourages natural behaviors. Just like people, animals need things to do. Zookeepers enrich the lives of our animals through smells, tastes, sounds, sights and textures. Enrichment is done in a variety of ways, one of which is through the use of smell. That is why gifts of unopened spices, extracts and essential oils are currently requested on the Wish List. The spices and oils are dispersed in an animal’s exhibit - on the ground, in a tree or on a rock.

• CD’s with nature sounds
• Towels
• Blankets
• Sheets
• Perfume-free and dye-free or baby laundry detergent (for our primates with sensitive skin)
• Boomer© balls (brown)
• Gift cards for pet supply, grocery and home building stores
• Check or credit card gifts can be designated for purchase of items on the “wish list”

Education Program Requests

• School supplies - pencils, rulers, crayons, etc.
• Children’s books about African animals and culture
• Children’s books grades 1-12 about Indonesian animals or conservation
• Children's books grade 1-12 about Southeast Asian animals, culture, or conservation
• Children’s movies about animals and conservation – DVD’s preferred
• DVD player

Conservation Biology Requests

• Binoculars
• Spotting Scopes
• Palm pilots
• GPS units
• Compasses
• Digital cameras (point and shoot)
• Digital video camera
• Leatherman-type pocket tools

Animal Keeper and Staff Requests

• Bicycle
• Washing machine (commercial preferred)
• Microwave (less than 5 years old)
• Manila rope (1/2” or wider)
• Cordless drills, drill bits and basic tools
• Alarm clock radio
• CD player
• Bench drill – 3/4” or 3/8”
• Cordless Dremel and Dremel tips
• Ladders – any size
• Dust buster or upright vacuum
• Camping equipment for keeper staff use in emergencies (back packing stove and cooking utensils, self-inflating air mattresses, head lamps, Swiss army knives or multiuse tools, and emergency wind up or shake-type flash lights) 

Below is a list of current special request wish list items accepted by Denver Zoo.

• Plants-partial-sun perennials, grasses, shrubs, and a tree not to exceed 30’ in height and 20’ in canopy width
• Hardscape Materials-enough to build a 48’ long wall that is 18” high and 18” wide (concrete, sandstone, etc.)
• Outside table set-table and four chairs
• Digital video projector
• Satellite Phone
• Slide scanner
• Large wheeled suitcase
• Poster tubes - 3 inches diameter by 3 feet long
• Coleman 150 quart cooler
• Portable Generator (Honda eu2000i or eu3000i)
• Olympus bronchoscope

Do you have an unwanted vehicle and you’re not sure what to do with it? Cars Helping Charities provides a hassle-free way to take your car and turn it into a donation to Denver Zoo! Call 303-423-CARS or click here to donate your car and Cars Helping Charities will take your information, handle all the paperwork, tow your vehicle at no charge, and sell it with the proceeds directed to Denver Zoo. Your gift also qualifies as a tax deduction! Cars Helping Charities has benefited over 600 Colorado non-profits including the Zoo.


For More Information

Email or call us at 303-376-4867 so we can assist you.

Denver Zoological Foundation
Development Department
2300 Steele Street
Denver, CO 80205
(303) 376-4867
Email us

The material on this web site is intended to provide general information, not legal or tax advice about specific situations or problems. Donors are encouraged to consult a lawyer or accountant for legal or tax matters.