Today, we share news that is incredibly difficult for our Zoo Knoxville family.
Our beloved Einstein โ the world-famous African grey parrot โ has passed away at the age of 38.
For more than 30 years, Einstein was more than an animal ambassador. She was a friend, she was family, and had a personality unlike any other. With her unmistakable voice, she captured hearts not only here in Knoxville, but around the world.
In 2023, our animal care team noticed a small change in her voice. Working closely with specialists at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, we identified a small mass on her syrinx. For nearly three years, it remained stable and did not affect her quality of life. In recent weeks, it progressed to the point where treatment was no longer an option.
Throughout her final years โ and especially her final days โ our focus was simple: make sure she was happy, safe, comfortable, and surrounded by the people she knew and trusted. And she was.
Einstein also carried an important mission. African grey parrots are classified as Endangered in the wild due to habitat loss and pressures from the illegal pet trade. Through her incredible ability to connect with people, she helped inspire greater awareness and care for parrots and wildlife everywhere.
We are heartbroken. We are grateful. And we are immensely proud to have been her home for more than three decades.
Thank you, Einstein, for the laughter, the lessons, and the legacy. ๐งก
INCREDIBLE: Chris & his son Jake found a 1/1 Lamine Yamal trading card in a box they purchased while on vacation in Orlando, Florida. This card would change their lives foreverโฆ
One year later, they sold the card and used the funds to open their own local hobby shop in the hometown of Nottingham, England ๐ฅน
They even named the hobby shop after Jake ๐ฌ๐ง
Awesome hobby moment ๐
The Uganda Skateboard Community has brought skateboarding to the kids of Mukono, a small municipality located in central Africa. Starting with a single ramp, the underserved youth quickly became hooked on skateboarding, fueled by the engagement and inspiration they gave the world