🌍 Animal Awareness Day

World Animal Day

Celebrated on Monday, October 4, 2027

We're celebrating World Animal Day at 3 Palms Zoo & Education Center in Townsend, Delaware — and these are the rescues in the spotlight. Come meet them in person and learn why they matter.

About World Animal Day

World Animal Day, marked every October 4, is a global day for the animals we share the world with — wild, farm and feathered alike. At a rescue zoo it is simple: every animal here has a story, a second chance, and a name worth knowing.

Red-footed Tortoise

Colorful namesake: Their specific name, carbonarius, means “coal-like,” referring to their dark, coal-black skin that contrasts sharply with their bright red or orange scales. Chatty Cathys: During courtship,…

Meet Red-footed Tortoise →

Eastern Screech Owl

Master of Disguise: They occur in two distinct color morphs—rufous (red) and gray—which allows them to blend seamlessly against different types of tree bark. Not a Hoot: Unlike…

Meet Eastern Screech Owl →

Greek Tortoise

The “Spur-Thighed” Tortoise: They are often called this because of the large, cone-shaped tubercle (spur) located on each thigh near the tail. Hibernation & Estivation: Depending on their…

Meet Greek Tortoise →

Leopard Tortoise

Swimming Ability: Unlike most tortoises, Leopard Tortoises are capable swimmers and can cross rivers. Camouflage: Their chaotic shell pattern breaks up their outline in the tall grass, protecting…

Meet Leopard Tortoise →

Russian Tortoise

Burrowers: They dig tunnels up to 6 feet long to escape the extreme heat and cold of their native deserts. Size: They are a small species, rarely exceeding…

Meet Russian Tortoise →

Gray Fox

Tree Climbers: The only American canid capable of climbing trees, using their semi-retractable claws to escape predators or reach food. Ancient Lineage: They are evolutionarily distinct from the…

Meet Gray Fox →

Red Fox

Magnetic Sense: Researchers believe Red Foxes can see the Earth’s magnetic field as a “shadow” in their vision, helping them pounce on prey. Agility: They can jump over…

Meet Red Fox →

Black Vulture

Sight Hunters: Unlike Turkey Vultures which hunt by smell, Black Vultures hunt almost exclusively by sight. Urohidrosis: They defecate on their own legs to cool off through evaporation…

Meet Black Vulture →

Donkey

The Legend: Most donkeys possess a dark stripe of fur down their back and across their shoulders, known as the “Nuval Cross” or dorsal cross. Not Stubborn, Just…

Meet Donkey →

Sheep

Memory: Sheep have excellent memories and can recognize up to 50 individual sheep and human faces for years. Rectangular Pupils: Their pupils allow for wide peripheral vision to…

Meet Sheep →

Goats

Rectangular Pupils: Their pupils are horizontal slits that rotate to stay level with the ground, giving them a 320-degree field of vision to spot predators while grazing. The…

Meet Goats →

Llamas

Humming: Llamas communicate primarily by humming to one another. Spitting: They spit regurgitated stomach contents when threatened or annoyed, usually at other llamas but sometimes at humans. Guardians:…

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Sulcata Tortoise

The Bulldozer: They are immensely strong and determined; they can knock down fences and walk through walls if they want to. Third Largest: They are the third-largest tortoise…

Meet Sulcata Tortoise →

Silver Fox

Silver foxes are actually born black; the distinctive silver “frosting” only appears as their guard hairs grow in. The “Domestic Silver Fox” is a result of a specific…

Meet Silver Fox →

Leucistic Fox

Not Albino: Leucism is a partial loss of pigmentation. Unlike albinos, they have normal colored eyes and sensitive vision. Genetic Morph: This is a naturally occurring color variation…

Meet Leucistic Fox →

Plan Your Visit

Admission is just $6.00 and directly supports the daily care of every rescue here.

Fall Hours | Open Daily: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (weather permitting)

Hours, directions & tickets →