News and Stories

CINCINNATI, OH (March 24, 2025) – Get ready, PIN-thusiasts! The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a wildly fun Pin Trading Program that brings the Zoo’s rich history and beloved icons to life—one collectible pin at a time!

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PIN-troducing Pin Trading! 

As part of this milestone celebration, the Zoo is launching a series of limited-edition collectible pins, available for purchase in the Zoo Shop (and online). A new set of pins will be released each month, making every visit a chance to grow your collection! 

The first set of must-have pins includes: 

• Fiona with her famous wiggly ears 

• Thane Maynard, legendary Zoo Director 

• Kris the cheetah, one of fastest fan-favorites 

• An alligator in Swan Lake — a nod to a jaw-dropping moment from opening day in 1875! 

“These limited-edition collectible pins all have historical significance,” said Cincinnati Zoo’s VP of Marketing & Visitor Experience, Chad Yelton. “The story of the alligator on Swan Lake is one of my favorites—on the day the Zoo opened in 1875, they couldn’t release the swans and ducks on Swan Lake because an alligator had escaped its habitat and was swimming in the lake!”

Trade to Get Exclusive Pins! 

The real fun begins with our exclusive, trade-only pins! Each month, special pins will be available that can’t be purchased—they can only be acquired by trading with a Zoo employee or volunteer. 

This month’s exclusive pins feature: 

• Rico the porcupine — the prickly crowd-pleaser 

• Remus the cheetah companion dog — Kris the cheetah’s best friend 

New collectible and exclusive pins will be released each month, so keep an eye out for them throughout the Zoo! 

For more information on how to collect them all, visit CincinnatiZoo.org.