Zoo Guardians opened its mobile gates more than two years ago connecting players to wildlife and teaching what it takes to care for zoo animals from real-life conservation heroes. On Dec. 31, 2022 our mobile app will close. The game has been removed from app stores and current players can no longer purchase ZooPasses and gems. However, JumpStart Games will continue to support current users until 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST on Dec. 31, 2022.
We hope your interest for building your own zoo and saving wildlife in-game will inspire you to visit your local zoo or us in Washington, D.C. Conservation starts when people make a choice to act. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to learn more about animals and our team working to care for, study and save species.
Thank you for joining the league of Zoo Guardians around the world.
Meet the Zoo Guardians
As the devoted senior curator, Dr. Singh does everything in her power to see the zoo succeed. She is committed to the Young Guardians Initiative, as teaching the next generation holds a special place in her heart.
Savanna keeper and team mentor, Zoe, "herd" you wanted to join the Young Guardians Initiative! She appreciates a good animal pun, gets creative when it comes to problem solving and is passionate about fighting poaching and the ivory trade.
Love rainforest animals? Then tropical forest keeper and team mentor Mac wants to take you under his wing! With a big heart and a brave soul, Mac is devoted to helping animals in need and protecting their homes from deforestation.
Ready to chill with polar keeper and Team mentor, Penn? Their care for cool creatures and passion for conservation comes through in everything that they do, especially in the fight against climate change.
A friend of the forest is a friend to temperate forest keeper Pandora! With her outgoing personality and enthusiasm for the environment, she befriends animals and humans alike. She cares about critters who call the trees "home" and combats habitat degradation.
Go with the flow like wetlands keeper Helaku. His easy-going attitude makes him a great teacher and problem-solver. To Helaku, protecting habitats against fragmentation is paramount. He believes in inspiring future generations to ride the wave of caring about conservation!
Make a splash with Oceans and Coasts keeper Otto! A quiet and kind-hearted keeper, Otto is eager to spread kindness in the world. He combats pollution and illegal fishing to help protect the animals that dive in the sea and sun themselves on the shore.
Just like you, Alex and Miguel are budding Zoo Guardians. Alex aspires to be a veterinarian, and Miguel dreams of becoming a biologist. Together, the three of you will learn about what it takes to run a zoo!
There are forces at work against global conservation efforts. Each villain represents a very real threat to wildlife: climate change, deforestation and habitat loss. Can you help the Zoo Guardians defeat them and save animals from extinction?
Meet the four clouded leopards who call the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute home. Pounce from Washington D.C. with Asia Trail keepers Kaitlyn Adkins and Jenny Spotten, to Front Royal, Virginia with animal keeper Jessica Kordell to learn more about these cool cats.
National Bison Day is the first Saturday in November and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute has a big reason to celebrate these iconic animals! Wallow in the autumn leaves with the Zoo’s bison, Lucy and Gally, and animal keeper Regina Bakely, as she shares her stories and the institution’s history of caring for American bison.
Four new sets of owl eyes have joined the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute family this year in Washington, D.C. Give a hoot for Bird House keeper Heather Anderson and American Trail keeper Jackie Spicer as they talon their stories of caring for native owl species.
Slow down for a minute and meet the Zoo’s turtle-y awesome Asian box turtles! Read on to find out what it takes to care for Bourret’s box turtles and other species.
Snot otter, devil dog, or hellbender? Whatever name you call them, they are largest salamander in the Americas. Check out how animal keeper Matt Neff cares for and studies these unique salamanders!
Use your tiger eyes to see what it takes to care for the largest cat in the world and 2022’s Lunar New Year animal: the tiger! Get a peek inside the world of animal keeper and real-life Zoo Guardian Dell Guglielmo, who cares for the Zoo's three tigers.
From smart shrews to clever coatis, every animal in Small Mammal House receives enrichment. Learn how the animal care team puts together puzzle feeders, sprinkles spices and comes up with creative elements that ensure animals keep physically active and mentally sharp.
Food for thought: Nutrition forms the foundation to living a healthy life. Get a taste of the challenges Clinical Animal Nutritionist, Erin Kendrick, faces as she formulates diets for all animals at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo.
Raise your trunks for the world’s largest land mammal: the elephant! Find out how animal keeper, Rebecca Riley, cares for Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Asian elephant herd.
September 26 marks 40 years since black-footed ferrets were re-discovered in the wild, kick-starting today’s breeding and reintroduction program. Find out what it takes to care for Zoo Guardians' September Animal of the Month and Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s black-footed ferrets from animal keeper Vicki Lake!
With a 6-foot wingspan, sharp talons and an intimidating stare, bald eagles are majestic birds. Meet Tioga and Annie—both of whom were injured in the wild and rescued—at Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s American Trail. Swoop into their care and conservation with animal keeper Ashley Graham.
Slow down with Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s three southern two-toed sloths. Keeper Kara Ingraham works with Athena and Vlad in the Small Mammal House, and keeper Denny Charlton tends to Howie in Amazonia. Find out what it takes to care for these unique animals!
Crash into May with black rhinos! Dr. Francesca Vitali is a wildlife veterinarian and Morris Animal Foundation postdoctoral fellow with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s Global Health Program. She is currently working with our Smithsonian partners in Kenya to help conserve Eastern black rhino populations.
Leap into learning what it takes to care for some of the frogs found at Smithsonian’s National Zoo from Matt Evans, assistant curator of the Reptile Discovery Center.
Lions, tigers, cheetahs and bobcats – let’s play! Keepers Katy Juliano, Adri Kopp and Amber Dedrick know how to get the big cats they work with pouncing, roaring and purring for enrichment.
Waddle along with Small Mammal House Curator and African Penguin Species Survival Plan coordinator, Steven J. Sarro, as he shares his experiences working with zoos and penguins!
