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Mud, Rain, Rats and Resilience – A record breaking ABB release at The Wilds
On June 17th, the world gained 203 new families—and we have over 20 incredible volunteers to thank for it.
At an hour when most people are still deep in REM sleep, an unstoppable crew of staff and volunteers from the Cincinnati Zoo, the Columbus Zoo, and The Wilds were already on the road. Fueled by dedication, coffee, and maybe a few breakfast burritos, they left at 3:00 AM to make the 3.5-hour journey to The Wilds. Their mission? Release 203 pairs of federally threatened and state-endangered American burying beetles (Nicrophorus americanus) into their new home. The most Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical-reared beetles ever released at once!
When we arrived, the weather decided to up the drama: rain came down in steady sheets, and soon we were all ankle-deep in mud. But that didn’t stop anyone! Armed with shovels and sheer willpower, our team dug all 203 release sites in record time. Each site received a small, pre-thawed rat carcass (gourmet fare for a burying beetle couple), then a carefully paired male and female ABB. Yes, it was muddy. Yes, it was smelly. Yes, everyone was soaked. And yes—they loved it.
Throughout the morning, there was laughter, teamwork, and genuine excitement. Volunteers thanked me for the opportunity, even while covered head-to-toe in mud and handling beetles. Everyone pulled their weight—and then some. After finishing the releases, this dream team jumped right into cleanup: organizing supplies, packing up equipment, and somehow still smiling.
This day wasn’t just productive—it was inspiring. The dedication, grit, and good humor of our volunteers made it all possible. We absolutely could not have done it without them.
Next up: we’ll be returning to The Wilds soon to monitor several of the sites and check for signs of successful breeding. If all goes well, the offspring from this release could help repopulate the region.
To the volunteers who made June 17th a day to remember: THANK YOU. You brought your energy, your enthusiasm, and your love of conservation—and because of you, 203 new ABB families are now starting the next chapter in their comeback story.