Californian native Jason Gronich orchestrated the elaborate surprise to propose to his partner of five years, Rosa Nelson, at her favourite part of the zoo – the Lemur habitat – with the help of the dedicated zoo staff.
The location held a special significance for the couple, who met as summer camp counsellors in college. Jason first took Rosa to Hertfordshire Zoo (then called Paradise Wildlife Park) as a Valentine’s Day present in 2023 during a European backpacking trip across Europe. Rosa, whose favourite animal is the ring-tailed lemur (inspired by King Julien from Madagascar), adored the Lemur Experience, and a photo from that first visit remains her phone screensaver to this day. Jason successfully recreated that special moment as the perfect jumping-off point for the rest of their lives together.
Jason Gronich shared his immense gratitude: “The Hertfordshire Zoo staff treated us like family and put in so much care and thought into making it a beautiful engagement. I can not thank them enough and despite living on another continent, we will be coming back year after year.”
Tyler Whitnall, Managing Director at Hertfordshire Zoo, expressed his delight: “We are always incredibly happy to help our guests with special requests such as this to make their visit even more memorable, and my team and I have helped make dozens of proposals extra special over the years. We especially love the unique story behind Jason and Rosa’s proposal; using their very first visit as the backdrop for the next chapter is very romantic.”
The couple, who are currently pursuing postgraduate degrees in Marine Science and Environmental Policy, plan to return to Hertfordshire annually to celebrate their special day.
Visit Hertfordshire Zoo and create your own unforgettable memories. If you have a special request or event in mind, please contact the zoo team directly to see how they can help.
