“A Family for Zoya”: One Little Earth’s Grant Benefiting Children’s Programs at OKC Zoo
- Science, Naturally!
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Written by Chloe Sutton Designed by Faith Lustig
Edited by Kit Jones-Painter
July 29th is International Tiger Day! There’s no better way to celebrate than with the story of Zoya. Zoya is an Amur tiger—the same tiger subspecies that International Tiger Day was started for. She is also the star of our book A Family For Zoya (and our hero). This book shows modern conservation in practice through the true story of how Zoya’s life was saved by the Philadelphia Zoo and Oklahoma City Zoo teams. Zoya’s impact doesn’t end with her rescue as a cub. Zoya has had two litters of her own, helping her species’ endangered status. Go Zoya!!! It helps that she and her cubs are adorable. Speaking of adorable, let’s talk about Zoya’s youngest fans at the Oklahoma City Zoo...
Photo Credit: OKC Zoo
One Little Earth has awarded a grant to the Oklahoma Zoological Society, a non-profit organization that supports the Oklahoma City (OKC) Zoo. With this grant, the Oklahoma Zoological Society has already begun distributing A Family for Zoya and planning events to benefit the community with the book. Currently, they have introduced Zoya’s story into three programs! The story of one little tiger (who isn’t so little anymore) is teaching the importance of conservation to children and creating an early interest in wildlife.
Read about the three programs below with quotes from Oklahoma Zoological Society!
Photo Credit: OKC Zoo
Nature Explorers Preschool Program
“We recently received A Family for Zoya for my 4-year-old, and it has quickly become a favorite in our home. The story shares a meaningful message about love, belonging, and family. The illustrations are beautiful and engaging and we’re so grateful to have this special book as part of our collection!" —Kate, parent of Nature Explorers Preschool Program
“OKC Zoo’s Nature Explorers Preschool is a program designed to focus on developing the whole child in their cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and creative development through the Zoo’s natural setting. Using the generous grant from One Little Earth, this year’s graduating preschoolers each received a copy of A Family for Zoya, a great connection of the lessons learned about empathy and conservation in their early school days at the Zoo.”
Oklahoma City Zoo Summer Camp
“The OKC Zoo hosts summer camps annually for ages ranging from kindergarten to upper middle school. Each week of curriculum is themed in a fun way connecting and engaging students with studies of animals and conservation actions. A Family for Zoya is perfect for this year’s themed week of “Tiny Tails and Little Paws,” showcasing the Zoo’s animal babies like Luca, a critically endangered Sumatran tiger cub. Reading about Zoya and watching Lola with her latest cub couldn’t be a better pairing to illustrate Zoya’s incredible story.”
Animal Awareness Days, Cat Day
“It was extra special to have Debra Kim Wolfe participate in the OKC Zoo’s International Cat Day celebration and host a virtual story time featuring her book, “A Family For Zoya”. The OKC Zoo is incredibly proud to be part of this story about the Zoo’s Sumatran tiger Lola becoming a surrogate mother to Amur tiger cub, Zoya, and successfully raising her with her own cubs. Today, Zoya is thriving and has welcomed her own cubs. Debra’s inspiring book is an incredible testament to the power of collaboration among AZA accredited members and their experts, and a “purr”fect fit for International Cat Day!” —OKC Zoo
“Each year, the OKC Zoo celebrates a series of Animal Awareness Days from May to October featuring various animal groups from across the Zoo. On July 4, 2026, the Zoo will focus on several feline favorites during its International Cat Day celebration. The Zoo’s big and small cat species will be showcased including Sumatran tiger mom, Lola, and her youngster, Luca. This is the perfect opportunity to share with guests the amazing story of Lola’s adopted Amur tiger cub, Zoya, by giving away several copies of A Family for Zoya as part of International Cat Day.”
Photo Credit: OKC Zoo
Through these programs, families will benefit from this book and from the generosity of One Little Earth and the Oklahoma Zoological Society. We are so glad that our title, A Family for Zoya, not only highlights an inspiring story, but also highlights the people whose involvement made it possible.
We can’t wait to see what else the Oklahoma Zoological Society will do and where Zoya’s story will reach next. We have our fingers crossed that this is only the beginning of her impact on the tiger conservation effort! Despite a tough start, Zoya has made huge strides forward. She was rightly named Zoya, meaning “life” in Russian, and what a life she has given to the future of the world’s tigers! Zoya embodies the spirit of this international celebration and empowers future generations of conservationists.
Photo Credit: OKC Zoo