Care Fair

Logo image of various illustrated animals, like a zebra, lion, elephant, toucan, and snake, contained within a heart.

Caring for one animal can be a challenge...caring for more than 2,000 is a calling!

Step into the world of animal care for a free, in-person event at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and meet the experts who make it happen.

Chat one-on-one with animal keepers and veterinarians, watch special feeding and training demonstrations, and get hands-on with fascinating animal artifacts. Head to Great Meadow (Zoo Map) to meet our staff members: learn about husbandry training with the American Trail team, see how DNA and scientific research keep animals healthy with the Center for Conservation Genomics, and much more!

Along the way, you can enjoy family-friendly activities throughout the park, discover the Smithsonian’s latest conservation projects, and see what it’s really like to work in animal care and wildlife conservation.