Have a wild time at the region’s zoos
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Going to the zoo isn’t just for third grade field trips. Support conservation and learn about animals at your local zoo.
Here are some zoos you should check out this season:
■ Zoo New York in Watertown is a Path Through History site, so expect a little more culture than the average zoo. Its 32 acres are home to examples of New York’s native species and some that once were native to the Empire State. View black bears, wolverines, eagles, mountain lions, Canada lynx, grey wolves and more, while learning about the state’s ecosystem.
■ Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park in Syracuse has been ranked by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums as among the top 10% of North American zoos. With more than 700 animals from among 216 species, the zoo’s variety offers visitors a unique experience in Upstate.
■ Ross Park Zoo in Binghamton is America’s fifth zoo, founded in 1875. Experience leopards, red pandas, African penguins, a Children’s Zoo, rare red wolves and more.
■ The Preserve at Animal Adventure in Harpursville, near Binghamton, provides guests with a drive-through, self-guided experience on 100 acres. The three-mile, safari-style experience is divided into regions: grassland, scrub brush and forests displaying the animals native to these regions.
www.theanimaladventurepreserve.com
■ Utica Zoo in Utica will host Dino Discovery all summer, with more than 20 animatronic dinosaur figures and Jurassic-style landscaping as their backdrop. Dino Discovery is free with regular zoo admission. That’s in addition to its usual exhibits.
■ Old McDonald’s Farm in Sackets Harbor cares for more than 1,000 animals, including farm animals, camels and reindeer. Visit with 200 friendly farm animals, take a 25 minute hayride to feed the cows and pigs, jump on the giant bounce pad and zoom down the kids’ zip line. Old McDonald’s Farm is all hands-on, from feeding the huge cows, to petting and walking amongst dozens of goats, and even visiting the special reindeer! In the fall, Old McDonald’s Farm offers a 10-acre corn maze and pumpkin patch.
■ Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester stewards the care of African lions, olive baboons, African elephants, North American river otters, lake sturgeon, meerkats, lemurs, snow leopards and Bornean orangutans, among many more species.
■ Bailiwick Ranch & Animal Park in the Catskill exhibits more than 30 domestic and wild animals, including Bengal tigers, North American black bears, Syrian brown bears, American bison, zebras, alpacas, African crested porcupines, dromedary camels, tortoises, emus, parrots, red kangaroos and more.
■ Fort Ricky Discovery Zoo in Rome specializes in helping guests get upclose to animals with a petting zoo for deer. The “maternity ward” allows guests to pet pygmy goats. The zoo includes plenty of wet and dry play areas as well.
Make Your Zoo Day Successful
• Review the venue’s website and social media page before you go to look at what’s allowed in, such as strollers and food and to check for any special events.
• Bring along sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses. Most zoos have numerous outside exhibits.
• Follow all the zoo rules for your safety and the safety of the animals.
• Realize that not all animals will be on display during your visit. Illness, rest times, weather and more can mean that some animals will not be in the public part of their enclosures.
• Ask zoo personnel about the animals in their area. They love to share facts and stories about the animals in their care.
• Go on any zoo tour available or sign up for a special activity.
• Stop by the snack shop and gift shop during your visit to help support the zoo. Their conservation work is important to support species survival so that future generations can know these animals too.
• If you take photos to post to social media, tag the zoo so your friends and family can see where you had a great day.