Official Press Releases, Media Bureau & Newsroom Resources
Matthew Shaffner, Owner • 3 Palms Zoo & Education Center
Townsend, DE • events@3palmszoo.org • (302) 715-1326
Releases only - no newsletters, no marketing. Each one comes with photos and a contact.
3 Palms Zoo Announces 'Zoo Lights & Christmas Nights!', a Festive Holiday Lights Tradition TOWNSEND, DE – October 23, 2026 – 3 Palms Zoo & Education Center, Delaware's only animal rescue zoo, announces its 15th annual "Zoo Lights & Christmas...
Continuous regional coverage highlighting Delaware's signature non-scary autumn tradition featuring nocturnal animal encounters, autumn hayrides, and outdoor bonfires built specifically for young families.
Selected as an official celebration of America's 250th anniversary by the Delaware 250 Commission, offering a quiet, sensory-friendly twilight evening featuring patriotic vignettes, animal encounters, and marshmallow roasting with zero fireworks.
Jaccii Farris tours 3 Palms Zoo in Townsend for a full-length broadcast episode of "The 302" on MeTV2 (WDPN-TV), joining owner Matt Shaffner to explore sustainable animal care, resident alligators Wendy and Mr. Smee, brown pelicans Pete and Repeat, and beloved rescues including Gus the Goose and Dominic the donkey.
Middletown Life Magazine chronicles 3 Palms Zoo as a thriving ecosystem of hope and compassionate refuge, spotlighting resident rescues including Albert the pig, Dominic the Sicilian miniature donkey, emus, and native wildlife.
Statewide travel publications explore 3 Palms Zoo as one of Delaware's premier independent animal havens and family destinations, highlighting its rescues and close-up animal encounters.
Statewide reporting and photography by The News Journal covering 3 Palms Zoo's move to its permanent Townsend farm facility, creating expanded open habitats and specialized facilities for rescued domestic and exotic animals.
When a stray emu wandered Sussex County and became cornered on a Seaford elementary school playground, 3 Palms Zoo safely captured and rehabilitated the bird, providing Kiwi a lifelong refuge.
After wandering Brookhaven, Pennsylvania neighborhoods and evading capture for months, Petey the Peacock was safely captured and relocated to 3 Palms Zoo & Education Center for permanent care.
After roaming Kent and New Castle counties for over two months, evading state police, and triggering school lockdowns, 3 Palms Zoo safely captured the runaway bird in an Odessa backyard, giving Eddie a permanent home.