The Bronx Zoo (2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10460) is once again inviting the public to swap chocolates for cockroaches with the return of its popular Name-a-Roach Valentine’s Day campaign, now marking its 15th year.
The annual tradition allows participants to symbolically adopt and name a Madagascar hissing cockroach after a loved one, a friend — or a not-so-fondly remembered ex — and receive a certificate commemorating the gesture.
Donation packages start at $15 and include a digital certificate naming a Bronx Zoo cockroach. Additional packages offer themed merchandise such as beanies, belt bags, and plush items, along with Valentine’s Virtual Encounters that give participants the chance to meet a live Madagascar hissing cockroach online, chat with animal experts, and encounter a surprise animal guest.
More elaborate options include a mystery box package featuring two roach-themed gifts, a printed certificate, and access to a virtual encounter scheduled for Feb. 13, 14, or 15. Supplies are limited, and orders must be placed by Feb. 6, 2026, to arrive by Valentine’s Day. Orders are available at BronxZoo.com/Roach, with U.S. shipping only.
Since launching in 2011, the Name-a-Roach campaign has become a viral internet phenomenon, with nearly 60,000 cockroaches named after celebrities, pop culture icons, romantic partners, and scorned exes.
Proceeds from the campaign support the Wildlife Conservation Society’s efforts to protect wildlife at the Bronx Zoo and conservation projects around the world. Visitors can also see Madagascar hissing cockroaches in person at the zoo’s Madagascar! exhibit.
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