FAQ

What is Discover Zoos?

A place to find out about zoos (and aquariums), in particular: what’s happening, and what animals do they have?

Who are you, and how are you funded?

I’m Russell Duhon. I’m the only one working on the site, other than a few people I’m paying out of my own pocket for short amounts of specialized work, such as an accessibility consultant. You can find me several places, including on threads at https://www.threads.com/@russellduhon and via email at russell@discoverzoos.com.

Which zoos and aquariums are going to be on the site?

All 240 AZA-accredited facilities: https://www.aza.org/find-a-zoo-or-aquarium. I plan to have at least basic info on all of them, richer calendar information on many, and animal info about a few preliminary places, to start.

When will Discover Zoos launch?

My current target date is before the end of May. Good luck to me!

Why are you doing this? Won't this duplicate things zoos already do?

I love zoos, and I think there’s so much opportunity to expand the connection between zoos and the public, furthering their important conservation missions. I’m making Discover Zoos because I feel I’ve identified some ways to help with that expansion.

I’ve been going to zoos avidly since I was a small child, and one thing that is very clear is that running a zoo is a huge amount of ongoing effort. Zoos have taken many different approaches to web presences, mobile apps, and more, duplicating large amounts of effort between them already. I think there’s an opportunity for Discover Zoos to open up lots of zoo information without putting an additional burden on individual zoos.

How much will Discover Zoos cost? Will there be ads?

Nothing, and no. While I’d love to find a way to make the site more sustainably funded, there will not be ads (other than for the zoos and aquariums on the site), and it will always be free.

What are some of the challenges of launching this?

It’s a novel thing, and I don’t know what’s going to work. I have to try out a number of things, and wrangle a lot of data and design myself. In particular, without permission from the zoos, I can’t use any of their written or photographic content directly, so for animal info I have to find content I have permission to use and create my own content. That’s probably the single biggest hurdle to getting Discover Zoos to how I want it to be.

How can I support the site?

First and most important, tell people about it and use it yourself. Second, get in touch if you have ideas or needs. Third, you can leave me a tip at https://buymeacoffee.com/discoverzoos. Right now I am doing all the development unpaid, and paying specialists such as an accessibility consultant for their work out of pocket.

How often is information updated?

Most zoos and aquariums will be updated shortly after they see any schedule changes. If you see anything out of date or otherwise wrong, please let me know at russell@discoverzoos.com.

How can I request a feature or provide other feedback?

I’d love to hear feedback on existing features and ideas for new ones. Reach out on threads at https://www.threads.com/@russellduhon or via email at russell@discoverzoos.com.