Apparently the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium didn’t get the memo that Congress is already a zoo without its assistance.

The result? Staffers for Buckeye State lawmakers got to hang with wallabies, flamingos and lynx. (Lynxes? Lynxi? HOH is unclear how to pluralize such an animal.) And staffers for Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, appear to have had a particularly good time. Portman’s communications team — new to Instagram — posted photos of their afternoon animal timeout in the Rayburn House Office Building basement. In the process, Jeff Sadosky and Caitlin Dunn are sure to have created the next viral Internet sensation: #WallabyWednesday. Like Seersucker Thursday, but less annoying.

Here is a photo of a lynx, brought by the Columbus Zoo to raise awareness about conservation efforts, on a conference table:

More pictures after the jump.

And here’s Sadosky, with a wallaby. Caption provided by the GOP comms veteran? “New life goal…own a wallaby! #WallabyWednesday.”

HOH is pretty confident Sadosky cannot adopt a wallaby, but we will be sure to get his kids these DVDs for next Christmas.

Portman’s office said the senator has always been a strong supporter of conservation efforts, dating back to his time in the House when he co-sponsored the Tropical Forest Restoration Act.

The post has been updated to clarify the nature of Portman’s involvement with conservation efforts.