22q at the Zoo will kick off in Sydney, Australia on Sunday, May 17, 2026 and continue westward at zoos around the world giving families, friends and professionals a chance to socialize, network and raise public awareness of 22q11.2 differences.
Developed by the International 22q11.2 Foundation, volunteers spread awareness at their local or regional zoo, park, playground or aquarium by handing out 22q fact sheets and educating guests and zoo visitors. Participants are recognizable by wearing official “22q at the Zoo” red t-shirts and “Ask Me About 22q” buttons.
Check out pictures from past events and stay up-to-date on the latest news by following our Facebook page!
For ticket information click on your local city or region below.
If there is no coordinator for your location, show up at the entrance to your local zoo, park or playground with a brown bag lunch wearing the official t-shirts (or plain red shirt) and plan to meet others at 11:00 AM. We will add your name and location to the foundation website for other families to reach out to you…
History of 22q at the Zoo – Worldwide Awareness Day
22q at the Zoo – Worldwide Awareness Day launched for the first time on May 22, 2011. Learn more about the History of this event HERE.
Participating Zoos
Sacremento, CA
Name of Zoo: Sacramento Zoo
Coordinator Name: Kathy
Email: 22q@health.ucdavis.edu
Visit here for more information.
Melbourne, FL
Nemours Children’s Hospital 22q Center
Name of Zoo: Brevard Zoo
Coordinator Name: Yeraldi
Email: yeraldi.geronimo@nemours.org
Atlanta, GA
Name of Zoo: Atlanta Zoo
Coordinator Name: David
Email: David.a.parker@emory.edu
Indianapolis, IN
Name of Zoo: Indianapolis Zoo
Coordinator Name: Abby
Email: 22qIndiana@gmail.com
St. Paul, MN
Name of Zoo: Como Park Zoo
Coordinator Name: Amy
Email: akebriaei@gmail.com
Time: 11:00AM – 1:00PM – Group photo@12:00PM
Massachusetts – New England 22q at the Zoo
Name of Zoo: Southwick’s Zoo
Location: Mendon, Massachusetts
Coordinator: Ashleigh& Tanya
Email: NE22qatthezoo@gmail.com
Asheboro, NC
Name of Zoo: North Carolina Zoo
Coordinator Name: Bethany
Email: 22qcarolinas@gmail.com
Visit here for more information.
Philadelphia, PA
Name of Zoo: Philadelphia Zoo
Coordinator Name: Carol
Email: info@22q.org
Visit here for more information.
Pittsburgh, PA
Name of Zoo: TBD
Coordinator Name: Jamie
Email: jamiebernardi117@gmail.com
Buenos Aires – TBD
Name of Zoo:
Coordinator Name:
Email:
Brisbane, Queensland
Name of Location: Riverside Green Playground, Southbank
Coordinator Name: Tamara
Email: harrison08@y7mail.com
Visit here for more information.
Melbourne, Victoria
Name of Zoo: Healesville Sanctuary
Coordinator Name:
Email: president@22q.org.au
For more information visit here.
Sydney, New South Wales
Name of Zoo: Sydney Zoo
Coordinator Name: Maria
Email: president@22q.org.au
Visit here for more information.
Mechelen
Name of Zoo: Zoo Planckendael
Coordinator Name:
Email: info@22q11.be
Visit here for more information.
Rio De Janeiro – TBD
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Toronto – TBD
Name of Zoo: Toronto Zoo
Coordinator Name: Rozmin
Santiago – TBD
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TBD
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TBD
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Girardot – TBD
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Copenhagen
Name of Zoo: Københavns Zoo
Coordinator Name: Anne
Email: anne@fampoulsen.com
For more information visit here.
Givskud
Name of Zoo: Givskud Zoo
Coordinator Name: Rikke
Email: rikkeottobroeker@gmail.com
Leicestershire
Name of Zoo: – Twycross Zoo
Coordinator Name: Max Appeal
Email:
For more information visit here.
Paignton – TBD
Name of Zoo:
Coordinator Name:
Email:
For more information visit here.
Winchester, Hampshire – TBD
Name of Zoo:
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Email:
For more information visit here.
Gavieside, West Calder – TBD
Name of Zoo:
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Email:
For more information visit here.
Heisinki
Name of Zoo: Korkeasaari Zoo
Coordinator Name: Hikka
Email: hilihappo@gmail.com
Ranua
Name of Zoo: Ranua’s Artic Wildlife Park
Coordinator Name: Outi
Email: outi.annala@22q11finland.fi
Dublin
Name of Zoo: Dublin Zoo
Coordinator Name: Anne
Email:
For more information visit here.
Cork
Name of Zoo: Fota Wildlife Park
Coordinator Name: Anne
Email:
For more information visit here.
Pisa, Italy
Name of Zoo: San Rossore Park
Coordinator Name: Maria
Email: international@aidel22.it
For more information visit here.
Tokyo – TBD
Name of Zoo:
Coordinator Name:
Email:
For more information visit here.
Nagano – TBD
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Kaunas – TBD
Name of Zoo:
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Arnhem
Name of Zoo: Burgers’ Zoo
Coordinator Name: Hanna
Email: info@steun22Q11.nl
Visit here for more information.
Christchurch, New Zealand
Name of Location: Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
Coordinator Name: Rebecca
Email: smithrebe@gmail.com
Visit here for more information.
Hamilton, New Zealand
Name of Zoo: Magical Bridge Playground, Gate 2, 800 Heaphy Terrace, Hamilton
Coordinator Name: Maria
Email: president@22q.org.au
Visit here for more information.
Newtownards
Name of Zoo: Ark Open Farm
Coordinator Name: Gillian
Email:
For more information visit here.
Warsaw
Name of Zoo:
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Email:
Livingston – TBD
Name of Zoo:
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Subotica
Name of Zoo: Palić Zoo
Coordinator Name: Vesna
Email: 22qexyu@gmail.com
For more information visit here.
Seoul – TBD
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Ockero – TBD
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TBD
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Taipei – TBD
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TBD
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