Binghamton, NY 13903
Gift Shop Phone
7 Days a Week *Last Admission 3pm
*Future trips are dependent on demand
The Eco-Trip team is back from Nepal! After spending 10 days traveling, hiking, searching for red pandas, and experiencing their beautiful country, here are just a few highlights: Enjoy some beautiful pictures from the trip: If you are interested in being a part of future...
Over the fall here at the Ross Park Zoo, we welcomed a new education intern. Mari, a local high school student, joined us to learn about what it is like to work at the Zoo, in all different departments. Her main role was assisting in...
World Animal Enrichment Day is in place to recognize and raise awareness of the importance for animals that are within human care to have a stimulating environment that encourages natural behaviors and problem solving skills. Enrichment is an essential part of the care that directly...
For our newest edition of our animal of the month series, November highlights our Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth! Sloths are classified in the Order of Pilosa, which is a Latin word that means “hairy” and refers to an order of placental mammals that includes not only...
There is always more than one way to help bring across conservation messaging. “Nearly 5,000 primary school students took part in the Australian Conservation Foundation’s Wild at Art competition, which invites children to create an artwork depicting one of the country’s threatened native animals or...
October 21st is a special day for reptiles as it is National Reptile Awareness Day! We celebrate this day to educate and inform the public about these often underappreciated cold-blooded vertebrates. Many people love to have these animals as pets but they require an immense...
I just recently read a National Geographic article, highlighting an absolutely extraordinary woman! Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka is a true trailblazer as her love for Gorillas sparked a passion in her that she established the first veterinary department at the Uganda Wildlife Authority where she then became...
October’s Animal of the Month that we are highlighting here at Ross Park Zoo are our Howler Monkeys!. Diego and Carlitta are our two resident Howler Monkeys. They are quite distinctive from one another as Diego, our male, is black in color and larger and...
This article is brought to you by Kathy, our Community Engagement Manager, as she sat down with one of our Behavioral Husbandry Manager and multi-talented Keepers, Miranda “We just celebrated Zookeeper Week July 21-27, showing appreciation for all the hard work done by the Animal...
We are celebrating our Red Pandas! This past Saturday (9/21) was international Red Panda Day and we find it imperative to highlight a special animal that is one of the forefront species of the Ross Park Zoo. So without further ado, meet our three Red...
Invasive species are an issue that are found all over the world. We have spoken a few times on a notorious species that has taken over our own area, the Spotted Lanternfly. Many locations have other species that are taking over their ecosystems. When we...
September’s Animal of the Month that we are highlighting here at Ross Park Zoo is our Geoffroy’s Marmoset! We have 4 marmosets here at the zoo, Maxine (F), Finn (M), Quincey (M), and CJ (M). Our troop can be found in our New World Tropics...
This blog entry is brought to you by a reader who poses the question: “How about ecological engineers, the local turtle species?” Ecological engineers are species that play a vital role in shaping and modifying their ecosystems. Whether that is by creating new habitats, like...
One of our beloved residents at the zoo are our African Penguins. We have 8 African Blackfooted Penguins! Our males are banded on the right wing, including Lucky (green), Dyer (orange), Ronde (red), Howard (yellow), and Moose (beaded multi-colored band). Our females are banded on...
This blog entry is brought to you by a reader who poses the question: “I was wondering about getting into a career dealing with large felines. What kind of qualifications are usually required for said career path?” This is an excellent question for those who...
Happy World Elephant Day! Every year on August 12th, this day is dedicated to the preservation and the need of protection for this incredible species. From African to Asian elephants, this keystone species is an essential presence in maintaining balanced ecosystems. While we don’t have...
Each month here at Ross Park Zoo, we choose one of the species who is our feature for the month where we highlight their story and promote the initiatives that are in place to do what we can to save their species. This August, we...
On July 28th we celebrated World Nature Conservation Day! Like many other environmentally themed days throughout the year this is just as essential! It is in place to drive home the importance of caring for our environment and ecosystems that we are a part of....
You may have remembered the devastating wildfires that took place in Australia in 2019 and 2020. WIldfires alone decimate ecosystems and these in particular were so intense they displaced 1,000s of organisms. One species had a tactic that proved very beneficial in protecting themselves, the...
This will prove to be a much more sensitive subject when it comes to the conservation world. For those unaware, culling is the practice where individuals within an overpopulated species are killed based on selective characteristics such as age, genetic material, health, etc. This has...
Species have been disappearing for years. We are currently in what Scientists call the silent extinction, where species’ populations are declining at an alarming rate somehow going unnoticed. For example, over the last 30 years the giraffe population has declined 40%! Back in 1962, the...
Happy American Zoo Day! July 1st is celebrated every year as American Zoo Day. This is to commemorate the opening of the Philadelphia Zoo, the first zoo that was ever established in the United States. For those that may not know the history of the...
“Decades-old Cans of Salmon Reveal Changes in Ocean Health” To say that I was intrigued when I saw this article would be a HUGE understatement. The title of this topic immediately grabbed my attention. Now depending on how squeamish you are this may or may...
By the time this post is published we will be on our flight back to the states after an absolutely unforgettable week! This is an amazing opportunity to get a firsthand look at the research and management of captive elephants that is taking place with...
Today is our team’s 1st official day of our Elephant Research & Conservation Eco-Trip in South Africa! Partnered with AERU, an organization which strives to collect and provide valuable information that may be used to improve the future management of captive elephants both within and...
This past Saturday, June 1st, we celebrated World Reef Awareness Day. This designated day is designed to help to create awareness among various business communities and the general public about the fragile biological system of our oceans’ coral reefs globally! One of the most famous...
Ross Park Zoo, a staple of the Binghamton community since 1875 is the fifth oldest zoological institution in the country behind Philadelphia, Chicago, Cincinnati, and Buffalo. Today is our concluding day of our weekend long Grand Opening Celebration. A weekend full of fun including face...
Today is World Bee Day! Every year all over the world we celebrate on May 20th in honor of Anton Janša, who was born in 1734 and was a front runner for beekeeping. An apiarist who pioneered modern beekeeping practices. World Bee Day was established...
This blog topic is brought to use by one of our readers who inquires that she “would be interested in hearing about any effects the solar eclipse may have had on the animals. Any research available or observations at the zoo?” With our recent solar...
This past Saturday, May 4th (May the Fourth Be With You wink), is the national date for the reappearance of Monarch butterflies for the summer! Every year generations of monarchs take on a great migration where Monarch butterflies travel to Mexico and California. The goal...
A species that I have never heard of before, the Cinnamon Frog, has experienced a breakthrough in a wildlife park in Europe! “Keepers at the Cotswold wildlife park in Burford have again bred the near-threatened cinnamon frog, four years after it became only the second...
TODAY IS EARTH DAY Once a year we have a day dedicated to our beloved planet. A day that amplifies the message for the need to protect and preserve our planet. Here at the zoo, every day is Earth day! We are surrounded by marvelous...
A big staple of our organization are the volunteers to come to the zoo year round to support us! Whether it is to help with a special event, maintain our gorgeous gardens, provide educational material to our visitors or help guests participate in a scavenger...
For this installment I thank Kathy, our Communications and Volunteer Manager, as she sat down with Sara and wrote this wonderful report! “There are people who truly admire and appreciate the work of zookeepers. You might call them “Zoopies” (like groupies, but for animal care...
Like many of you following the Ross Park Zoo, I am a huge advocate for zoos and the important work that they do! That’s why I am thrilled to commemorate National Zoo Lovers Day on April 8th. Because it is people like you who make...
“There are 856 mammal, bird, amphibian and reptile species currently missing” One of the most notable rediscoveries is of Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna. Here is an excerpt from the article where one of the researchers describes the moment they found it: “Gison Morib was home lying...
Today, we delve into the fascinating connections between organisms of an ecosystem, where the presence of one seemingly inconsequential species has far-reaching consequences for an iconic predator – the lion. This entry is one that I thoroughly enjoyed learning and writing about! This article subject...
Despite being portrayed as creatures of fear in folklore and fiction, bats play an indispensable role in our ecosystems. With over 1,460 species worldwide, including approximately 154 species in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, these remarkable mammals contribute significantly to pollination, pest control, and...
In the ongoing battle to preserve our planet’s biodiversity and ecosystems, every victory, no matter how small, is cause for celebration. As we reflect on the year 2023, we find ourselves amidst remarkable achievements in conservation efforts worldwide. From legislative triumphs to community-led initiatives, the...
All plants are good plants, right? Not necessarily! Did you know that there are at least 23* invasive plant species alone in New York State? Across varies organisms there are at least 50* invasive species in New York State! February 26th – March 3rd, 2024...
On February 18th, we celebrated World Whale Conservation Day! Now given that Ross Park Zoo is located in Upstate NY some may wonder why we should even take part in whale conservation but there are actually quite a few species of whale that inhabit our...
As Valentine’s day is just a few days away, one of the biggest days for chocolate and candy companies, it is one of the biggest days where you can make a difference! Many tropical species are threatened from habitat loss due to unsustainable palm oil...
The first blog entry of February comes to you as a request from our Facebook Page with curiosity about the breeding programs that are often present in zoos. Their question was: “How do parents get chosen for breeding endangered species?” This is an excellent question...
The species of rhino as a whole has been facing extinction for decades. They are one of the most highlighted animals when it comes to combating poaching and preserving species. With the five species ranging from near-threatened to critically endangered, the persistent battle to safeguard...
Here at the Ross Park Zoo we are proud to be a KultureCity Sensory Inclusive Certified Venue! Currently being the first and only certified venue in the Southern Tier, we are striving to set the tone for what inclusion and accessibility looks like in our...
For many our beloved African penguins are the highlight of their trip to the zoo. But when it comes to our winter months here in Binghamton, our penguins are kept off exhibit to protect them from the cold and snow. Many people may wonder why...
It only seems fitting that you get to meet the person behind this new platform 🙂 Hi everyone, my name is Olivia and I am the Conservation & Education Manager at the Ross Park Zoo! I am so excited to be bringing this new platform...
For our blog’s inaugural post, let’s delve into the core purpose of the development of Ross Park Zoo Conservation Crew and the origins of our conservation-centric concepts. It is no secret that our ecosystems need help. Almost everywhere you turn there are campaigns and promotions...