Utica Zoo

Utica Zoo Home to more than 200 domestic and exotic animals from around the world. The Utica Zoo asks that all visitors follow posted COVID-19 guidelines and protocols.
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🧡AZA Accredited inspiring connections to wildlife through conservation education & fun that matters!
❄️ 4 season
🌍 Over 200 animals from around the world
🪸2nd largest coral reef on east coast
🦓 Open 363 days a year 10:00am - 4:30pm The Utica Zoo actively participates in The Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan and cares for several endangered and critically endangered animals.

The Utica Zoo creates unique experiences and promotes public appreciation of wildlife through education, conservation, and recreation. Located in the Roscoe Conkling Park, the Utica Zoo was established in 1914 as part of a recreational complex made possible by the donation of land from Thomas R. Proctor. The Zoo had grown from its beginnings of three Fallow Deer donated by the New York Zoological Society to its present collection of species of animals from around the world. CLOSED: Thanksgiving & Christmas

08/30/2026

Start your morning with wellness and wildlife at Utica Zoo! Our first session in our Wellness Mornings series took place on the 15th featuring a beginner yoga class instructed by In Bloom Yoga, right outside our White-handed Gibbon exhibit. 🌿

Our next Wellness Morning is a mat pilates class instructed by BurnToneSculpt on Saturday, September 19th at 9am, right outside the lion exhibit.

See more classes and to book yours at: uticazoo.org/wellness-mornings

A FREE NIGHT at Utica Zoo is exactly how it sounds: FREE admission for you, your friends, and EVERYONE who walks through...
08/29/2026

A FREE NIGHT at Utica Zoo is exactly how it sounds: FREE admission for you, your friends, and EVERYONE who walks through our doors!

đź’ˇWe believe everyone should have the opportunity to visit our beautiful zoo and learn all we have to share about our amazing animals and wildlife conservation...

Our entire zoo will be open late with extended hours from 4pm to 8pm for you to enjoy, along with:

🚌FREE SHUTTLES taking you from MVCC A1 lot or Parkway Rec Center to our Visitor’s Center, and back! Shuttles will run from 4pm-830pm.

đź“ťInformational community organization booths around zoo grounds offering education, resources, and sign-ups.

🍔Polly’s Concessions for dinner, a snack, slushie, sweet treat, or refreshing boozy beverage.

🧸Gift shop open late for Utica Zoo apparel, merchandise, children’s toys, plush, and more!

Please note Polly’s Concessions, other vendors, and items in our gift shop are not included in the free of the night.

We're thrilled to open our zoo to you for FREE on Monday, August 31st.

For more information, visit uticazoo.org/events

📆Mark your calendar for Sunday September 6th, because our next Teddy Bear Clinic is available for appointments this day ...
08/28/2026

📆Mark your calendar for Sunday September 6th, because our next Teddy Bear Clinic is available for appointments this day between 10:00am and 12:00pm!

Have your child’s favorite stuffed animal scheduled to see our highly qualified stuffed animal doctors at Utica Zoo! 🧸

All children will receive a printed bill of health certificate for their stuffed animal after their visit and are free to roam zoo grounds before or after their appointment, as clinic is free with admission!

Appointments are recommended, but we will be accepting walk-ins!

Book your appointment ahead at uticazoo.org/events

08/26/2026

Today we honor World African Painted Dog Day! This species is classified as Endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

Our zoo is proud to support the African Painted Dog SAFE (Saving Animal From Extinction) initiative. This program utilizes the collective expertise from AZA-accredited zoos to save threatened species.

Here at UZ, we have 3 female African Painted Dogs; Charlie, Ada, and Rosie.

Today, there is estimated to be fewer than 7,000 painted dogs left in the wild. Painted Dogs were once found all over the African continent, but today they only encompass roughly 9% of their historic range. While it was once common for these animals to have packs consisting of 20 or more dogs, today, this is far less common.

Like with many threatened species, the threats they face are primarily created by human expansion, which destroys and limits their habitats. They also face serious threats from snares, roads, and disease.

How can you help? You can start by visiting zoos – like the Utica Zoo – that have this endangered species and support SAFE programs. When you support your AZA-accredited zoo or aquarium, you are actively safeguarding painted dogs and the wild habitats they depend on. Every zoo visit, membership, and donation fuels on-the-ground conservation in Africa to protect painted dogs. Here's how YOU can make an even bigger impact to save the species:

• Purchase painted dog merch at SAFE African Painted Dog.
• Order online for pick-up or delivery on Wednesday, August 26th from Panda Express and use code 9016350 in the fundraiser code box at check out. They will donate 28% of proceeds to conservation for painted dogs!
• Share this post with those you know to spread painted dog conservation awareness!

We thank you for taking the time to learn about and support this incredible species today. We'll see you soon!

Saturday, August 29th is our Last SPLASH of Summer! 💦🌞Join us on Saturday, August 29th between 10:00am and 3:00pm to enj...
08/25/2026

Saturday, August 29th is our Last SPLASH of Summer! 💦🌞

Join us on Saturday, August 29th between 10:00am and 3:00pm to enjoy:

🎶DJ bubble party by Amos Donnell Productions: be prepared to sing and dance with Amos amidst the fun bubbles! 🫧

🦆"Duck Rescue" station: rescue toy ducks from 'polluted' waters, help to rehabilitate, and release them back into their 'natural habitat'! 💧

Stay tuned for more activities! All activities on this day are included with regular zoo admission!

And don't forget, we're open ALL YEAR LONG so join us for more events during this fall, winter, and spring!

# AZA

08/25/2026

Valued Utica Zoo Visitors,

Please note that our WILD SUMMER NIGHT from 5pm-8pm on August 27th has been CANCELLED due to the coming storm.

Gary Johnson’s live performance will be rescheduled, so please stay tuned for those details!

This evening also featured a Cinematic Safari at 8pm playing ZOOTOPIA 2 which has also been CANCELLED. See more upcoming events at our zoo at uticazoo.org/events

Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we maintain the experience of our visitors as one of our top priorities.

We’ll see you soon!

08/25/2026

Ever wonder how our fish in Bull Reef get fed? Here's a quick sneak peak!

Our Chain moray eel, Bowser, eats krill out of his own cup that's in the tank. It's his personal feeding station that he doesn't have to share with anybody else!

As for our other species of fish in both our hard coral and soft coral tanks, we prepare a variety of seaweed, shrimp, krill, copepod, and other nutrients that gets shared into their water.

The water's not cloudy, it's just their food!

Feeding of them all typically occurs daily, but does depend on current water chemistries.

coral eel

Our next Teddy Bear Clinic is quickly approaching! 🧸Sunday, September 6th between 10:00am and 12:00pm, have your child’s...
08/24/2026

Our next Teddy Bear Clinic is quickly approaching! 🧸

Sunday, September 6th between 10:00am and 12:00pm, have your child’s favorite stuffed animal scheduled to see our highly qualified stuffed animal doctors, who are ready to give their favorite toy a quick check up or even some emergency care! 🥼

Each child will receive a printed bill of health certificate for their stuffed animal after their visit.

Clinic is free with admission and you are free to roam zoo grounds before or after your appointment!

Book your appointment ahead at uticazoo.org/events

Did you miss our FREE NIGHT last month? Our next is quickly approaching!A FREE NIGHT at Utica Zoo is exactly how it soun...
08/23/2026

Did you miss our FREE NIGHT last month? Our next is quickly approaching!

A FREE NIGHT at Utica Zoo is exactly how it sounds: FREE admission for you, your friends, and EVERYONE who walks through our doors!

Our entire zoo will be open late with extended hours from 4pm to 8pm for you to enjoy, along with:

🚌FREE SHUTTLES taking you from MVCC A1 lot or Parkway Rec Center to our Visitor’s Center, and back! Shuttles will run from 4pm-830pm.

đź“ťInformational community organization booths around zoo grounds offering education, resources, and sign-ups.

🍔Polly’s Concessions for dinner, a snack, slushie, sweet treat, or refreshing boozy beverage.

🧸Gift shop open late for Utica Zoo apparel, merchandise, children’s toys, plush, and more!

Please note Polly’s Concessions, other vendors, and items in our gift shop are not included in the free of the night.

We're thrilled to open our zoo to you for FREE on Monday, August 31st.

For more information, visit uticazoo.org/events

Address

1 Utica Zoo Way
Utica, NY
13501

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 10am - 4:30am
Wednesday 10am - 4:30pm
Thursday 10am - 4:30pm
Friday 10am - 4:30pm
Saturday 10am - 4:30pm
Sunday 10am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+13157380472

Website

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