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A Night That Matters: The Species, Spaces, and Stories YOU Help Protect
Last year, Untamed made an unforgettable debut. Guests filled the Zoo for an incredible evening celebrating wildlife, conservation, and community, helping raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's signature conservation programs around the world.
On Friday, September 18, 2026, Untamed returns for another extraordinary night where every ticket, every paddle raise, and every act of generosity helps protect wildlife and wild places. Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy exceptional food and drinks, memorable animal experiences, and inspiring stories from the people leading conservation efforts both here in Ohio and across the globe.
This year's Fund-A-Need program will support the Wider Caribbean Manatee Alliance, a collaborative effort working to protect manatees and the habitats they depend on throughout the Caribbean. Every contribution will help advance research, rescue and rehabilitation, habitat protection, and partnerships that safeguard the future of this beloved species.
In addition to this year's featured conservation initiative, Untamed supports a portfolio of signature conservation programs that create lasting impact for wildlife around the world. Explore the programs your support makes possible below.
Featured Need: The Wider Caribbean Manatee Alliance
A United Front for Manatees
In a region where manatees glide through sunlit seagrass beds, threats like boat strikes and habitat loss are growing. The Zoo is joining forces with Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute and partners across 20 countries throughout the Caribbean to form the Wider Caribbean Manatee Alliance. Together, we’re building a regional safety net for these gentle giants—through science, education, and community action.
Partners In Conservation
A Legacy of Listening, Learning, and Lasting Impact
For more than 30 years, Partners In Conservation (PIC) has embodied the Columbus Zoo's mission of Empowering People. Saving Wildlife. by partnering with communities in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to protect wildlife through education, trust, and sustainable solutions.
PIC works alongside local communities to create employment opportunities, support artisans and cooperatives, expand access to education, and develop conservation initiatives that benefit both people and wildlife. This long-term approach has helped address the root causes of poaching and habitat loss while contributing to the survival of mountain gorillas and other species.
Every ticket, donation, and conversation at Untamed helps continue this lasting legacy of conservation, creating positive change for wildlife and the communities that share their world.
The Asian Elephant Center for Species Survival
Saving a Species
In a historic move, the Columbus Zoo partnered with the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the Wildlife Trust of India to launch the world’s first Center for Species Survival focused solely on Asian elephants—and located within their native range. With threats like habitat loss and human-elephant conflict growing across 13 countries, this hub serves as a lifeline, fostering collaboration, training local experts, and creating rapid response solutions for elephants in need.
Learn more about CSS: Asian Elephant Adam Felts's Global Travel for Elephants
Gorilla Doctors
One Gorilla at a Time
Gorilla Doctors is an international team of wildlife veterinarians in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) who provide life-saving veterinary care to endangered mountain gorillas and critically endangered Grauer’s gorillas in their native habitats—making it the only organization in the world providing veterinary care to wild eastern gorillas in Africa.
Now, with plans to build a new permanent facility near Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo—home to one-third of the planet’s mountain gorillas—this program is expanding its reach. Every individual gorilla saved matters, and the Columbus Zoo has proudly supported this work for decades through funding, training, and long-term partnership.
The North American Center for Bison Conservation
Restoring the American Prairie
At The Wilds, bison conservation is being reimagined on a national scale. Through collaboration with tribal nations and conservation partners, the newly launched North American Center for Bison Conservation is restoring grassland ecosystems and honoring the cultural significance of this keystone species. From Ohio to South Dakota, these efforts represent hope, heritage, and habitat recovery.
Learn More about the North American Center for Bison Conservation
The Ohio Center for Wildlife Conservation
Homegrown Heroes
Conservation starts right here in our own backyard. The Ohio Center for Wildlife Conservation—located within the Zoo’s new North America Trek region—is spotlighting the unsung heroes of our local ecosystems, from freshwater mussels to endangered American burying beetles. Through hands-on research, restoration, and education, this center reminds us that Ohio’s wild places are just as vital as those across the globe.
Ruffed Lemurs
The Future of Madagascar’s Forests
Madagascar’s black-and-white ruffed lemurs are on the brink—but a lifeline exists deep within the rainforests of Ranomafana National Park. The Columbus Zoo supports the longest-running study of ruffed lemurs in existence, helping researchers unlock the secrets of this elusive species’ reproduction and resilience. It's science, yes—but also storytelling, as each data point helps preserve the future of one of Earth’s most biodiverse ecosystems.
Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation
Guardians of the Sea
Sea turtles face a daunting list of challenges—from vanishing nesting beaches to fishing gear entanglements. That’s why we’re supporting WIDECAST, a science-based conservation network working across the Caribbean to protect sea turtles and restore critical marine habitats. With education, research, and advocacy at its core, this effort brings hope to shorelines and beyond.
You Can Be Part of This Mission
These are stories of survival, of resilience, of connection. And each one depends on the generosity of people like you.
“This event is so close to my heart—not just because of the incredible work it supports, but because it brings together people who truly care. My husband and I are honored to serve as chairs for Untamed, and what inspires us most is seeing how our community shows up with generosity, compassion, and action. When you support these projects, you’re part of protecting something beautiful for generations to come.”
— Sandy Doyle-Ahern, Honorary Chair, Untamed
Join us at Untamed on September 19 and be part of something bigger than one evening—it’s a celebration of wildlife, and a stand for the future.
