Skip to content

Rayburn — Where the Wild Things Are

Animal caretakers from around the country Wednesday will once again show off their furry/scaly/creepy/crawly charges during the annual Association of Zoos and Aquariums congressional reception.  

(CQ Roll Call File Photo)
(CQ Roll Call File Photo)

The AZA’s lobbying visit, which is expected to overrun the Rayburn Cafeteria from 6 to 8 p.m., provides lawmakers and staff the rare opportunity to get up close and personal with exotic species. The featured attractions most likely to be passed around at this year’s shindig include:  

Baby servals

Kangaroos

Clouded leopards

Young cheetahs

Sloths

Chinese alligators

African black-footed penguins

Panamanian golden frogs

Lionhead rabbits

Keel-billed toucans

Ravens

Dumeril’s ground boas    

Egyptian tortoises

Spectacled owls

Polish chickens

Prehensile-tailed skinks

Sunbeam or rainbow boas, and  

Nine-banded armadillos

Event organizers said Zoo and Aquarium Caucus co-chairmen Daniel Lipinski, D-Ill., and Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., have signed up to get their wild kingdom on, and noted that Rep. José E. Serrano, D-N.Y., is set to be honored at some point during the evening.  

The 114th: CQ Roll Call’s Guide to the New Congress Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call in your inbox or on your iPhone.

Recent Stories

This week: Senate aims to finish stablecoin bill, with House away

‘Israel is in charge’: Netanyahu made sure Trump’s Iran diplomacy was no picnic

Covert actions key to Israel’s strikes on Iran: Mossad

Striking up — Congressional Hits and Misses

Photos of the week | June 6-12, 2025

AI can sharpen America’s edge in the Pacific — if we move now