Utica Zoo facts for kids
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Utica Zoo entrance sign
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| Date opened | 1914 |
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| Location | 1 Utica Zoo Way, Utica, New York, US |
| Land area | 40 acres (16 ha) |
| Coordinates | 43°04′55″N 75°14′46″W / 43.082°N 75.246°W |
| No. of animals | 200 |
| Memberships | AZA |
The Utica Zoo is a fun place to visit in Utica, New York. It's located inside Roscoe Conkling Park. The zoo has many different animal homes, both outdoors and indoors. You can also find a petting zoo and nature trails here.
The zoo gets most of its money from Oneida County and the New York State Natural Heritage Program. They also raise money from visitors and private donations. The City of Utica owns the land, but does not help pay for the zoo anymore.
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History of the Utica Zoo
The Utica Zoo first opened its doors in 1914. It started with just three fallow deer. The city owns about 80 acres of land for the zoo. About 40 acres of this land are currently used for the zoo.
The first permanent building at the zoo was built in 1920. The City of Utica Parks Department managed the zoo for many years. In 1964, a special group called the Utica Zoological Society took over. This group was later recognized by New York State as an educational place. The zoo hired its first professional director in 1966.
World's Largest Watering Can
In 2000, the zoo got a very tall metal sculpture. It looks like a giant watering can and stands 15.5 feet (about 4.7 meters) high. This sculpture is listed in Guinness World Records as the world's largest watering can!
Zoo Improvements and Accreditation
Around 2004, the zoo faced some money problems. They had to delay repairs and improvements. Because of this, they lost their "accreditation" from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Accreditation means a zoo meets very high standards for animal care and safety.
The zoo worked hard to fix things. They paid off their debts and started trying to get re-accredited in 2011. The white-handed gibbon exhibit was one area that needed a lot of work. Between 2015 and 2018, the zoo raised money and received grants. After much planning, the Utica Zoo was re-accredited by the AZA in 2018! This showed they were a top-quality zoo again. The first outdoor part of the primate exhibit was finished later that year.
New Animals and Births
In 2011, the zoo welcomed two African lions named Bakari and Monni. It had been 30 years since lions lived at the zoo! Bakari and Monni had three cubs. Once the cubs grew up, their parents moved to another zoo. As of 2022, the three cubs still live at the Utica Zoo. Sadly, in 2019, a white peacock named Merlin flew into the lion enclosure and was killed.
The zoo's red panda pair had cubs in 2015. This was part of a special program called the Species Survival Plan. This plan helps protect endangered animals like red pandas. In 2021, both red panda parents passed away due to health issues.
In 2020, the Utica Zoo took over the Beaversprite nature sanctuary. This sanctuary is located in Fulton County, New York. In 2021, the zoo moved its California sea lions to a new home. This was because their exhibit at Utica Zoo was too small for them to exercise enough.
A baby Hartmann's Mountain Zebra was born at the zoo in July 2022. This was an exciting new addition! In October 2022, the zoo's employees voted to join a union. They are now represented by the Civil Service Employees Association.
Conservation Efforts
The Utica Zoo helps protect animals in their natural homes. This is called in situ conservation. They work on projects to help local populations of frosted elfin butterflies, Chittenango ovate amber snails, and different kinds of turtles.
