Audubon's Zoo-to-Do Events to Dazzle the Savanna This Year
Events Celebrate Zebras Returning to Audubon Zoo and Audubon's Conservation Efforts
Two of the “wildest” parties in town are coming up at Audubon Zoo, and this year they celebrate the upcoming return of zebras to the Zoo and Audubon’s wildlife conservation work. This year marks the 47th annual Hancock Whitney Zoo-to-Do and the 36th celebration of Zoo-to-Do for Kids presented by Manning Family Children’s.
Hancock Whitney Zoo-to-Do is set for Friday, May 2, 2025, and Zoo-to-Do for Kids presented by Manning Family Children’s is Friday, April 25, 2025. These are truly “parties with a purpose” - since their inception, Zoo-to-Do events have raised more than $40 million dollars benefiting Audubon Zoo and its conservation work.
Hancock Whitney Zoo-to-Do features live entertainment from The Life Atlantic as well as other popular bands to keep toes tapping throughout the evening. It also features premium cocktails, delicious cuisine from local restaurants, an online silent auction (opens two weeks prior to the event at onecau.se/ZTD), Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry Pick-A-Present, and Lexus luxury car raffle. This year, the Chair for this black-tie event is Susu Stall, who is the first person to Chair both the Zoo-to-Do for Kids presented by Manning Family Children’s and Hancock Whitney Zoo-to-Do, she first chaired the Zoo-to-Do for Kids event in 2000.
“Audubon Zoo plays an important role in our community and is something we are immensely proud of. Not only is it a time for families to gather to enjoy nature and the animals in our care, it also showcases how vital our conservation efforts are to protecting animals worldwide,” said Michael J. Sawaya, Audubon Nature Institute President-CEO and L. Ronald Forman Chair in Conservation Leadership. “In my new role with Audubon, I am encouraged to see the vast support for these events and the work we are doing to save wildlife.”
“At Hancock Whitney, we are honored to play a role in supporting the conservation work Audubon Nature Institute does here at home and around the world. We are proud to partner with Audubon again this year to sponsor Hancock Whitney Zoo-to-Do,” said Liz Hefler, Hancock Whitney Regional President for the Greater New Orleans Market.
The younger set will have a fun-filled celebration of their own on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Zoo-to-Do for Kids presented by Manning Family Children’s. Sugar Shaker is the main stage entertainment, and the young partygoers can party the evening away with games, giant inflatables, live entertainment, arts & crafts and delicious sips and snacks. This year’s Chair for Zoo-to-Do for Kids is Lauren Flower.
“Manning Family Children’s is delighted to support our friends and neighbors at Audubon Zoo as presenting sponsor of the Zoo-To-Do for Kids event again this year, which offers a fun-filled evening for the children of our community,” said Lou Fragoso, President and CEO of Manning Family Children’s. “This year’s event will help celebrate the return of zebras to Audubon Zoo, and we are excited to connect with families from our animal clinic, where kids will get to adopt and take home their very own zebra stuffed animals, while learning what it means to care for a little one’s health needs.”
Audubon Zoo will close at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025 to prepare for Zoo-to-Do for Kids presented by Manning Family Children’s and will be closed all day May 2, 2025 in advance of Hancock Whitney Zoo-to-Do.
Tickets are now on sale for both events and are available for purchase online or by calling the ticket hotline at (504) 861-5107. Early bird pricing for Hancock Whitney Zoo-to-Do tickets ends April 17, 2025, and the advance purchase discount ends at 5 p.m. on May 2, 2025.
Hancock Whitney Zoo-to-Do tickets can be purchased online at https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/zoo-to-do Tickets for the Lexus luxury vehicle raffle are available online as well, each raffle ticket is $100 and only 1,250 tickets will be sold for the chance to win a 2025 Lexus.
Tickets for Zoo-to-Do for Kids presented by Manning Family Children’s are available at https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/kids-zoo-to-do