FEATURE
Engaging Guests Through Culture, Reflection, and Honoring the Dead at the Zoo
The ofrenda weaves together the traditional aspects of Day of the Dead with the favorite food and toys of the animals that have passed. Photo by Amanda Segura.
In our world of modern zoological institutions, the guest experience is constantly evolving. Accredited zoos place animal health, wellbeing, and conservation education at the center of their mission, but we also understand that emotional connection is a powerful tool for building empathy toward wildlife. One of the most meaningful—and often overlooked—opportunities for connection arises not only from celebrating the lives of animals currently living at the zoo but also from acknowledging and honoring those that have passed. Death, while difficult, is an inevitable part of life, and embracing it in compassionate and culturally enriching ways can deepen the relationship between guests and the animals they come to love.
A unique and powerful approach to this idea involves blending memorial practices with cultural traditions that already emphasize remembrance and celebration. The Day of the Dead, or Día de Muertos, is one such tradition rich with symbolism, artistry, and community participation. Rather than focusing on grief alone, the Day of the Dead offers a perspective in which death is softened by memory, love, humor, and connection. Many cultures around the world have rituals that honor ancestors, but Day of the Dead stands out for its vibrancy and accessibility. This makes it an ideal framework for zoos wishing to create a reflective experience that is both respectful and culturally educational.
The ofrenda is filled with images and stories of our beloved animals, as well as their enrichment items, favorite toys, and traditional Day of the Dead items like marigolds. Photo by Amanda Segura.
Day of the Dead is a traditional holiday in Mexico and other parts of Latin America that is celebrated on November 1 and 2 to reunite the living and the dead. While there are many festivities to commemorate death and celebrate the lives of those we have lost, the tradition Riverbanks Zoo and Garden focuses on is the ofrenda, or altar. Ofrendas (which translates literally as the word Offerings) honor departed family members that have passed. These altars are decorated with bright yellow marigold flowers, photos of the departed, and the favorite foods and drinks of the one being honored. The offerings are believed to encourage visits from the land of the dead as the departed souls hear their prayers, smell their foods, and join in the celebrations!
For Riverbanks, the idea for the ofrenda came from an initiative by our BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Employee Resource Group (ERG). As the BIPOC ERG was searching for different ways to celebrate cultural heritage months and the diversity of staff and guests we have, someone suggested an ofrenda. While it is technically outside of Hispanic Heritage Month, the group was excited about the idea of publicly celebrating the longstanding tradition of Day of the Dead—but with a zoo twist. It would focus only on animals and not on people. It would tell the stories of our animals and it would need to be in a place for both staff and guests to be a part of it.
Once the idea was approved by senior management, and a site for the ofrenda was selected, the BIPOC ERG then partnered with a local Latino arts organization, Palmetto Luna Arts, that fosters Latino arts and culture across South Carolina. They gave Riverbanks an altar to use, as well as culturally appropriate items for the ofrenda. The BIPOC ERG took those items and blended them with things specific to the animals we were honoring.
When a famous zoo resident like a lion dies, the whole community knows. The ofrenda offers a place for collective grief and remembrance. Photo by Amanda Segura.
We interpret the cultural tradition of Day of the Dead and invite guests to take part in the celebration. Photo by Amanda Segura.
As a zoo, creating an altar to the animals we have lost looks a bit different than a traditional ofrenda. With the focus being on animals, we still employed as many traditional principals of the ofrenda as we could. We put pictures of the animals in frames, accompanied by a story from a keeper that worked with that animal regularly. Then we layered the favorite foods of the animals, using fake foods when necessary. The ofrenda was filled with things like hay, rubber fish, worms, strawberries, apples, flowers, herbs, and more. The keepers loaned out the enrichment items like puzzle feeders and toys that the animals loved the most, and we displayed those alongside the pictures. Lastly, the traditional marigold flowers were draped around the altar, tucked in between the photographs, and sprinkled on top like confetti. Far from being somber or mournful, the altar was a joyful celebration of life, filled with vibrant colors, animal diets, treasured photographs, and items that reflected the personality of these beloved beasts.
Situating the ofrenda in a quieter but still visible part of the park allows it to serve as both a contemplative area and a point of discovery. Guests may stumble upon it unexpectedly, or they may seek it out after hearing about its purpose. Either way, the presence of the ofrenda transforms the space into one of reverence and storytelling, inviting visitors to pause and reflect amid the bustling energy of the park.
The ofrenda itself becomes a visual and emotional centerpiece. Covered in photographs of animals the zoo has lost—perhaps a beloved elderly lion, a longtime ambassador bird, or a charismatic reptile with a storied history—it gives faces and names to beings who touched the lives of keepers and guests alike. Alongside the photos, stories from animal care staff add a personal dimension. These anecdotes might highlight an animal’s favorite enrichment item, a quirky behavior, or a moment that captured the essence of their personality. Such stories humanize the animals without anthropomorphizing them, reminding guests that every creature at the zoo has its own history, preferences, challenges, and relationships.
A quiet stage at the back of the farm area provides space for contemplation and reflection for the ofrenda. Photo by Amanda Segura.
Including these narratives is not only touching but also educational. They reveal the depth of care that accredited zoos invest in their animals and demonstrate the strong bonds formed between keepers and the individuals they care for. This transparency helps build trust with the public, reassuring guests that behind every exhibit is a dedicated team who celebrate the animals in life and honor them in death. It also opens the door for conversations about longevity, geriatric care, veterinary science, and the ethical responsibility zoos carry.
To deepen guest engagement, the zoo invites both staff and visitors to interact directly with the ofrenda. By providing tags or small cards on which people can write messages—whether addressed to zoo animals, their own pets, or loved ones they have lost—the experience becomes collaborative. As guests hang their tags along the garland surrounding the altar, they contribute to a growing tapestry of remembrance. The act is simple, yet powerful. It allows participants to externalize emotions they may not have otherwise shared and validates grief as a universal experience. For many, writing a note can be cathartic, offering a moment of stillness in a busy day.
This participatory element also fosters community. Though the notes are anonymous, they create a sense of shared humanity among strangers who are each navigating loss, love, and memory in their own way. Families might use the opportunity to talk with children about death in a gentle, culturally supported context. Others might feel comforted simply by reading the heartfelt messages left by those before them. In this way, the ofrenda becomes not only a memorial but a space for healing and connection.
Moreover, incorporating Day of the Dead traditions provides rich cultural interpretation. Many guests, especially those unfamiliar with Mexican heritage, may have only a surface-level understanding of the holiday. The ofrenda becomes a gateway for education, highlighting how different cultures celebrate, honor, and process death. By respectfully integrating cultural elements—such as marigolds, papel picado, candles (or safe alternatives), and symbolic foods—the zoo helps illuminate the meaning behind these items. Interpretive signage or staff-led programming can further explain the significance of the holiday, encouraging cross-cultural appreciation rather than appropriation.
This cultural engagement not only enriches the visitor experience but also aligns with broader goals in the zoo and museum community: to be inclusive, relevant institutions that reflect and respect diverse human experiences. Celebrating Day of the Dead acknowledges and uplifts a tradition practiced by millions, many of whom may be part of the zoo’s local community. It sends a message that cultural practices around life and death are valued and worth sharing.
From a conservation education standpoint, this program offers another layer of connection. When guests form emotional attachments to individual animals—whether through meeting them in person or learning about their lives after they’ve passed—they develop a deeper interest in the species as a whole. Honoring animals who have died can be paired with messages about the threats their wild counterparts face, the importance of conservation efforts, and the legacy left by each individual animal within breeding programs or ambassador roles. In this way, the ofrenda becomes both a memorial and a call to action.
The ofrenda weaves together the traditional aspects of Day of the Dead with the favorite food and toys of the animals that have passed. Photo by Amanda Segura.
What we have learned is that blending cultural tradition, emotional reflection, and zoological interpretation creates a uniquely meaningful experience for guests. It acknowledges that zoos are not just places of entertainment but living institutions where life, death, science, and culture intersect. By openly embracing the reality of loss and celebrating it through the warm and communal lens of the Day of the Dead, a zoo can cultivate empathy, understanding, and connection on a deeper level than traditional signage or programming often allows.
In the end, honoring our animals through an ofrenda is more than an educational feature—it is an invitation. It invites guests to share in remembrance, to recognize the humanity in caring for animals, and to participate in a tradition that transforms grief into celebration. It creates a space where people can feel safe, reflective, and inspired, and where the memories of the animals who touched the zoo’s community can live on in a meaningful and culturally rich way.
The ofrenda is filled with images and stories of our beloved animals, as well as their enrichment items, favorite toys, and traditional Day of the Dead items like marigolds. Photo by Amanda Segura.
