Mother's Day
May 10
Sponsored by Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort

Mother’s Day is special at the Milwaukee County Zoo, as all mothers receive free admission on their special day, Sunday, May 10, and a chance to win a two-night stay at Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort, thanks to our event sponsor. (No coupon necessary for free Zoo admission.)

The Zoo is home to a wild bunch of animal moms and babies this Mother’s Day. The most well known story might be that of our orangutans, Mahal and MJ. His inexperienced mother did not accept Mahal when he was born at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in 2007. Our Zoo’s resident female orangutan, MJ, took over as a surrogate mother last year, and they’re now living well together, and can be seen in their Primates of the World exhibit.

In recognition of Mahal and MJ’s story, and to raise awareness of the importance of saving this precious species, primate zookeepers and volunteers will host a special outreach booth at the indoor Orangutan Exhibit, called “Project M.O.M.”  Our Zoo partners with other zoos across North America to pay tribute to “M.O.M. – Missing Orangutan Mothers” on this significant holiday.

As Mahal and MJ demonstrate, orangutan mothers and babies have an incredibly close relationship. Baby orangutans don’t have a support network to give them lessons like finding fruit, building nests and other survival techniques. Today, because of the growing demand for palm oil, more and more orangutan mothers are being killed every year in Indonesia. Their rainforest homes are being wiped out to make way for palm oil plantations – leaving hundreds of helpless orphans.

During your visit, visit the outreach booth to learn how you can help the plight of these beautiful red apes – fliers, info sheets, games, quizzes, pictures and commemorative bookmarks will be available. Orangutan artifacts will be on display to show how similar these animals are to humans. Crafts for kids include making a personal greeting for Mahal by coloring a copy of his very own handprint, and coloring a special mom and infant orangutan magnet to display at home! Custom note cards featuring our own Mahal and MJ will be available for purchase; proceeds  benefit the Orangutan Outreach.  Don’t forget to join in our raffle – the grand prize winner receives a painting by Mahal and a matted, framed picture of Mahal and MJ. Activities take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Be sure to have your copy of “Little Mahal and the Big Search for a Real Mom” available to be signed by authors Jan Uebelherr and Mark Katches of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel staff.  Jan and Mark will be signing books from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; the book also can be purchased in the Zoo’s gift shops.

For more details, call the Zoo’s Public Affairs and Services Division: (414) 256-5466.

Special thanks to our Mother's Day sponsor:
Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort