Riverbanks is published six times a year for members of Riverbanks Society by Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, Columbia, South Carolina.
Riverbanks Park Commission
Alana Williams, Chair
Mike Velasco, Vice Chair
Cliff Bourke, Treasurer
Jeffrey T. Reeves, Secretary
Robert G. Davidson
Chip Huggins
Deneen Shockley
Riverbanks Society Board
Wes Jackson, President
Deonca Shuler, Vice President
Thomas Manly, Treasurer
Lauren Greene, Secretary
Patti Embry-Tautenhan, Immediate Past President
Sheila Abron
Andrew Baumgartner
Emily Bedenbaugh
Will Elliott
Lauren Sawyer Foster
Cecilia Fournil
Corinne Goldman, DVM, MS, DACVIM, SAIM
Denise Hudson
Mark Allen Jones, MD, MBA, FACS
Michelle Jones
Bill Lamar
Manny Licata
Matt Mungo
Allison Sanford
Richard Slater
Jan Stamps
Kaleb Unverfehrt
Riverbanks Senior Leadership Team
Thomas K. Stringfellow, President & CEO
Christie Vondrak, Chief Administrative Officer
Lochlan Wooten, Chief Operating Officer
Rachael Bashor, Vice President of Mission Engagement
Ashley Harris, Vice President of Finance
Monique Jacobs, Vice President of Advancement
Greg Peccie, Vice President of Animal Care
Martha Weber, DVM, Vice President of Animal Health
Riverbanks Senior Staff
Brian Blankenship, Director of Guest Services & Security
Shawna Brumfield-Washington, Director of Marketing & Communications
Andy Cabe, Director of Horticulture
Sarah Dougherty, Director of Development
John Guertin, Director of Maintenance
Tracy Hughes, Director of Human Resources
John Thompkins, Director of Information Technology
Jordan Ward, Director of Construction & Planning
Kendra Bottini, Aquarium Curator
Antonio Fernandez, Curator of Birds
Sean Foley, Curator of Herpetology
Andrea Mueller, Curator of Behavioral Husbandry
Alyson Proveaux, Curator of Mammals
DIRECTOR’S VIEW
The team at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is ringing in the new year with growing excitement as we transition from ideating and planning to design and construction for the next phase of Bridge to the Wild, our vision for the future. Guests riding the Saluda Skyride will be able to see some of our progress, beginning with the Jane B. Friedman Conservation Learning Center, as this brand-new education hub comes to life. Construction on the new lion habitat between giraffe and Safari Camp is set to begin this summer. And more updates will follow as we prepare to add our first-ever animal habitats to the West Columbia campus.
As we chart this visionary path forward, we hope you will continue to visit and enjoy the many animals, plants, programs, and events that make your Zoo and Garden such a special place in our community. The enclosed calendar is a tribute to just a few of our amazing residents who could not call Riverbanks home without your support. Thank you for entrusting us to care for these magnificent creatures and inspiring us to create meaningful experiences.
Have a happy and safe 2026 –
Thomas K. Stringfellow President & CEO
Riverbanks Hours of Operation
Winter Hours through January 31, 2026 - 9am-4pm. Regular Hours return February 1, 2026 - 9am-5pm. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas days.
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is located at 500 Wildlife Pkwy, Columbia SC 29210
Subscriptions to Riverbanks are $24 per year. Members of Riverbanks Society are entitled to one free subscription along with free admission and guest passes, discounts at Zoo & Garden gift shops, invitations to special events and much more. To subscribe to Riverbanks or to join the Society, visit riverbanks.org or call 803.779.8717 and press 1.
Riverbanks Magazine
Editor - Monique Jacobs
Design Direction - Majken Blackwell
Design and Layout - Trenton King
Contributing Photographers - Larry Cameron, Lynn Hunter Hackett, Richard Rokes, and Tastic Photo
Cover Photograph - Burrowing Owl
Back Photograph - Meerkats
The Saluda Skyride elevates the Riverbanks experience and provides a natural stepping stone as we move into Phase Two of Bridge to the Wild, with new animal habitats planned for the West Columbia campus.
Creating Connections. Inspiring Action.
Impacting Wildlife and Wild Places.
It is estimated that there are around 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild. Two-year-old Suci (pronounced Su-chee) arrived at Riverbanks from Memphis Zoo as part of a collaborative Species Survival Plan to protect this critically endangered species.
FINAL NIGHT OF WILD LIGHTS
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
New Year’s Day
Sunday
FEBRUARY 2026
Creating Connections. Inspiring Action.
Impacting Wildlife and Wild Places.
Siamangs are the largest species of gibbon. Their booming calls can be heard up to two miles away as they claim their territory or communicate through “love songs” to reinforce their pair bond. Siamang pairs typically stay together for life; Riverbanks’ siamangs Max and Hitam have been together since 2020. These endangered primates face serious threats in the wild including habitat loss and the illegal pet trade. You can help Siamangs by choosing products with sustainably sourced palm oil and by being a responsible pet owner.
Presidents’ Day
Zoo Camp Registration Opens
Riverbanks Career Day
Sunday
MARCH 2026
Creating Connections. Inspiring Action. Impacting Wildlife and Wild Places.
Sensory Friendly Day
MEMBERS’ NIGHT OUT
Blue poison dart frogs use their vibrant blue skin with unique patterns of black spots to warn off potential predators. Their toxins, derived from eating ants and other insects in the wild, were used historically to poison hunting darts. While poisonous in their natural habitat, these frogs are not toxic in human care because their diet is different.
APRIL 2026
Waterfall Junction opened to the public ten years ago on April 7, 2016. Featuring a 25-foot cascading waterfall, splash zones and dino dig, the 3-acre children’s garden has inspired tens of thousands of kids of all ages to explore, imagine and play. Join us daily for wild adventures! Splash play returns in June.
Creating Connections. Inspiring Action. Impacting Wildlife and Wild Places.
Earth Day Celebration
BOTANICAL GARDEN PLANT SALE
MAY 2026
Makale the Hamadryas baboon turns 24 years old this year. Each of the baboons in Riverbanks’ troop has exceeded the life expectancy of their counterparts in the wild. Their longevity can be attributed to the outstanding care they receive from the Zoo’s animal care teams.
Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds contribute to one in every three bites of food we eat. They are vital to the food sources of both humans and wildlife. Habitat loss, insecticides, large scale farming, and changes in climate patterns are all contributing to a significant loss in pollinators. You can help by filling your garden with nectar- and pollen-rich plants.
World Ocean Day
World Giraffe Day
JULY 2026
Toco toucan Beatriz hatched in August 2024 and is the first of her species to be raised at Riverbanks in over a decade. Wild toucan populations are declining as they face threats due to rainforest destruction from logging, agricultural expansion, and increased human activity. Help protect toucans by choosing bird-friendly coffee, like Birds & Beans, available in the Riverbanks Gift Shop.
Creating Connections. Inspiring Action.
Impacting Wildlife and Wild Places.
Independence Day
AUGUST 2026
While Riverbanks’ river otter sisters can be tricky to tell apart, Sophia is smaller than Savannah and has more pink on her right paw pad. River otters are considered a keystone species, playing a vital role in maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems and supporting a balanced food chain.
Creating Connections. Inspiring Action.
Impacting Wildlife and Wild Places.
World Lion Day
SEPTEMBER 2026
Sunday
Western lowland gorilla Macy is the highest ranked female within Riverbanks’ family troop and mother to 7-year-old Mo. Macy can easily be identified by her heart-shaped nose.
Creating Connections. Inspiring Action.
Impacting Wildlife and Wild Places.
MEMBERS’ NIGHT OUT
You can help save the critically endangered western lowland gorilla by dropping off used mobile devices in the collection bin at Gorilla Base Camp. Proceeds support the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Gorilla SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) initiative.
World Rhino Day
World Gorilla Day
Labor Day
Winter Zoo Camp Registration Opens
Sunday
OCTOBER 2026
World Migratory Bird Day is a global campaign that celebrates the migration of birds across countries and continents. Celebrations are encouraged throughout the year because migratory journeys occur every day. You can help make these long travels safe and prevent glass collisions by adding reflective, bird-friendly film to windows.
Creating Connections. Inspiring Action.
Impacting Wildlife and Wild Places.
BEGINS
Check riverbanks.org for dates and tickets
World Migratory Bird Day Celebration
Sensory Friendly Day
NOVEMEBER 2026
Sunday
Veterans Day
Creating Connections. Inspiring Action.
Impacting Wildlife and Wild Places.
BEGINS
Check riverbanks.org for dates and tickets
Thanksgiving CLOSED
Look for Legacy the green sea turtle on your next visit to the Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Aquarium & Reptile Conservation Center. In partnership with the SC Department of Natural Resources and other state agencies, Riverbanks supports sea turtle conservation through education and outreach. Legacy will serve as a species ambassador at the Zoo until she has grown enough to be returned to the wild, around 2 to 3 years old.
DECEMBER 2026
Creating Connections. Inspiring Action.
Impacting Wildlife and Wild Places.
Hop into the New Year with a stroll through Kangaroo Walkabout. Get a close-up look at ‘roos and wallabies and learn how to spot their differences.
