ABQ BioPark celebrates Earth Day 2025 with new Great Ape-ril: After Hours event and e-waste recycling on Saturday
In honor of Earth Day, ABQ BioPark offers two ways to help endangered species on Saturday, April 26, including an e-waste recycling opportunity, and a brand new adults-only After Hours event as part of this month’s Great Ape-ril festivities.
Start your Saturday morning off at Tingley Beach, where the ABQ BioPark will be teaming up with ACTenviro and New Mexico Computer Recyclers to host an e-waste recycling event.
The drive-through and drop-off style event is accepting old cell phones, cables, keyboards, and almost anything with a plug at the north parking lot of Tingley Beach on Saturday, April 26, from 8 am - noon.
“The ABQ BioPark always accepts mobile phones” said Allyson Zahm, ABQ BioPark Guest Experience Manager. “However, as part of Earth Day celebrations, our amazing partners will be able to accept electronics of almost any size and type to keep reusable materials out of our landfills.”
Mobile phones and other small electronic gadgets contain a material called coltan. Mining for coltan is destroying critical habitat for gorillas and other animals in Africa. When mobile phones are recycled, the coltan can be reused to make new electronics. By recycling your used phone, you can help save a gorilla’s life!
Guests who recycle any e-waste items will also receive a ticket for a free carousel ride during their next visit to the Zoo.
While many items are accepted, please note that we cannot accept TVs of any kind, microwaves, vacuums, refrigerators, and freezers. For more information and to see a full list of acceptable items, check our E-waste Recycling event.
Later, make your way to ABQ BioPark Zoo to share a special evening with the resident chimpanzees, gibbons, gorillas, lemurs, and orangutans for the first ever Great Ape-ril After Hours event on April 26!
This adults-only fundraising event, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, will allow guests to explore behind-the-scenes in the gorilla building and the new primate building in Asia. You’re also invited to chat with the animal care professionals who work one-on-one with all of our wonderful primate species, and learn at discovery stations located in Asia, Africa, and on the Ape Walk.
In addition, attendees will also get an exclusive first look at an exciting upcoming project and be able to observe primate training sessions.
Each general admission ticket costs $110 per person and must be purchased online in advance. All proceeds from this exclusive-access event support great ape conservation through the New Mexico BioPark Society. Each ticket also includes one complimentary cocktail or mocktail; additional food and drink will be available for purchase.
For more information about the event and to purchase tickets, visit our Great Ape-ril After Hours event.