International Zookeeper Day & World Animal Day at Hill City AquaZoo: Celebrating Exceptional Animal Care
At Hill City AquaZoo, our animals aren’t simply animals we care for—they’re part of the AquaZoo family. International Zookeeper Day and World Animal Day are both celebrated on October 4, giving us the perfect opportunity to recognize our incredible animal residents and the dedicated ZooCrew members who care for them every single day.
On Sunday, October 4, 2026, we’re celebrating the relationships, dedication, knowledge, and countless hours that go into providing excellent care for every animal who calls AquaZoo home.
Ask someone on the ZooCrew who their favorite AquaZoo resident is and why—you might be surprised how quickly they have an answer!
Excellent Care, Every Day
Providing excellent animal care is at the heart of what we do at Hill City AquaZoo.
Every animal has individual needs, preferences, behaviors, and personalities. Our ZooCrew invests the time to get to know the animals in their care and understand what helps each resident thrive.
From preparing diets and maintaining habitats to enrichment, observation, training, and daily care, our team is committed to providing our animals with the attention and care they deserve.
And while caring for animals requires plenty of knowledge and hard work, there’s something else behind it all: we genuinely love these animals.
They’re not just part of our jobs. We know them, we care about them, and we become invested in each one as an individual.
Meet the Residents Our ZooCrew Loves
Spend enough time around the AquaZoo team and you’ll quickly learn that everyone has an animal—or a few!—who holds a special place in their heart.
Ask a ZooCrew member about their favorite resident and you may hear a story about a particular personality, a funny habit they’ve noticed, a special bond they’ve developed, or simply an animal they look forward to seeing every day.
Those relationships don’t happen overnight. They grow through the countless hours our team spends preparing meals, cleaning habitats, providing enrichment, observing behaviors, and learning what makes each individual animal unique.
So when you visit, ask us: “Who’s your favorite AquaZoo resident, and why?”
Just be prepared for a passionate answer!
More Than Feeding and Cleaning
There’s a lot that happens behind the scenes before the doors even open and long after guests have gone home.
Animal care can include:
Preparing diets based on the needs of different species
Cleaning and maintaining habitats
Providing enrichment that encourages natural behaviors
Observing behavior, appetite, activity, and overall condition
Training and building positive relationships with animals
Maintaining detailed care routines and records
Working together to meet the individual needs of our residents
Continuously learning about the species in our care
It takes consistency, patience, knowledge, teamwork, and a genuine commitment to the animals.
Celebrating Every AquaZoo Resident
World Animal Day is also celebrated on October 4, making this day about both sides of what makes AquaZoo special: the animals and the people who care for them.
Hill City AquaZoo is home to an incredible variety of aquatic and exotic animals, each with different needs and characteristics.
From the animals swimming beneath the water to our reptiles, birds, mammals, and other exotic residents, our commitment remains the same: to provide excellent care and continually invest in the well-being of the animals who call AquaZoo home.
Get to Know Our Animals
When you visit Hill City AquaZoo, we encourage you to do more than simply walk from exhibit to exhibit.
Take time to observe the animals. Notice their personalities and behaviors. Ask our ZooCrew questions. Learn their names. Find out what they eat, what enrichment they enjoy, and what makes them unique.
Our team spends every day getting to know these animals, and we love having the opportunity to share that knowledge with our guests.
You may even leave with a favorite AquaZoo resident of your own!
Hands-On Family Fun in Lynchburg, VA
Looking for things to do with kids in Lynchburg, Virginia? A visit to AquaZoo gives families an opportunity to explore wildlife while learning about responsible animal care.
Kids and adults can discover aquatic and exotic species, enjoy interactive experiences, ask questions, and learn more about what goes into caring for animals every day.
International Zookeeper Day and World Animal Day are especially meaningful opportunities to help young animal lovers understand that caring for animals is about much more than loving wildlife—it requires dedication, education, observation, and daily commitment.
Educational Experiences for Kids and Families
Learning is part of every AquaZoo adventure.
Throughout your visit, you can discover more about animal behaviors, habitats, adaptations, diets, enrichment, conservation, and the work our ZooCrew does behind the scenes.
And if you have a future zookeeper in your family, October 4 is the perfect day to start asking questions!
Talk to our ZooCrew, learn about their work, and don’t forget the most important question:
“Who’s your favorite AquaZoo resident and why?”
Plan Your Visit
Join us on Sunday, October 4, 2026, as we celebrate International Zookeeper Day and World Animal Day at Hill City AquaZoo.
Come meet the animals we’re so proud to care for, get to know the ZooCrew behind their daily care, and discover just how much goes into helping our residents thrive.
Most importantly, come see why these animals mean so much to the people who care for them every day.
Visit Hill City AquaZoo in Lynchburg, Virginia
Hill City AquaZoo is located at:
3405 Candlers Mountain Rd, Suite 680, Lynchburg, VA
Visit hillcityaquazoo.com to plan your visit, learn more about AquaZoo, explore memberships, and discover upcoming events and special promotions.
Every resident is unique. Every relationship is special. And every day, our ZooCrew is proud to provide the excellent care our animals deserve.
