What do Ohio’s hellbenders, Florida and Greater Caribbean manatees, and Asian elephants have in common?
They're all counting on us.
On September 19, 2025, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and The Wilds invite you to Untamed—an unforgettable evening at the Zoo that supports bold conservation work spanning from Ohio’s rivers to Madagascar’s rainforests. While the event itself promises gourmet bites, stunning animal encounters, and a celebration of our shared passion for wildlife, Untamed is more than a night out. It’s a commitment—to species, ecosystems, and future generations.
“Some of the most meaningful moments of my life have been spent alongside mountain gorillas in the forests of Africa, marveling at them and knowing deep down that every life we save truly matters. That kind of connection stays with you. Conservation is personal, and it’s powered by people who care. The projects highlighted here are just a few of the many lifelines we help create and support. By joining us for Untamed, you are helping to write the next chapter of hope for each of these species and the people working to protect them.”
— Dr. Jan Ramer, Senior Vice President of Animal Care and Conservation at the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds, and Keynote Speaker at Untamed.
This new event supports on-the-ground conservation projects, exceptional animal care, and community-based initiatives. Here’s a closer look at how your support will create real change for wildlife around the world.
Partners In Conservation: A Legacy of Listening, Learning, and Lasting Impact
For more than 30 years, Partners In Conservation (PIC) has represented the heart of the Columbus Zoo’s mission of Empowering People. Saving Wildlife. —working hand in hand with communities in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to protect wildlife through education, trust, and sustainable partnerships.
Unlike traditional conservation programs, PIC is rooted in relationships. This team doesn’t just support local efforts from afar—they travel to the actual communities, helping create employment opportunities, supporting artisans and cooperatives, providing education opportunities, and fostering solutions that benefit both humans and wildlife. It's conservation with deep compassion and long-term commitment.
PIC has been instrumental in the survival of mountain gorillas and other species by addressing the root causes of poaching and habitat loss: poverty, lack of education, and limited access to resources. By investing in communities, PIC has built a powerful model of conservation that puts people first—because lasting change begins with mutual respect.
Every ticket, every donation, and every conversation at Untamed helps continue the legacy of Partners In Conservation—a legacy that has already transformed lives and will continue to make a difference for generations to come.
Saving a Species: The Asian Elephant Center for Species Survival
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.
Learn More about Gorilla Doctors
Restoring the American Prairie: The North American Center for Bison Conservation
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
Homegrown Heroes: The Ohio Center for Wildlife Conservation
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 and 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.
Learn more about the project Dr. Junge Goes to Madagascar
A United Front for Manatees: The Wider Caribbean Manatee Alliance
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.
Guardians of the Sea: Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation
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.
Learn more and reserve your tickets
