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Utica Zoo

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Coordinates: 43°04′55″N 75°14′46″W / 43.082°N 75.246°W / 43.082; -75.246
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Utica Zoo
Map
43°04′55″N 75°14′46″W / 43.082°N 75.246°W / 43.082; -75.246
Date opened1914
Location1 Utica Zoo Way, Utica, New York, US
Land area40 acres (16 ha)
No. of animals200
MembershipsAZA
Websiteuticazoo.org

Utica Zoo is a regional zoo in Utica, New York, situated in a section of Roscoe Conkling Park.[1]

History

The Utica Zoo was founded in 1914 with an initial collection of three fallow deer. The City of Utica owns the 80 acres (32 ha) of zoo property, of which 40 is currently developed. The first permanent building was erected in 1920. The City of Utica Parks Department managed the zoo until 1964, when responsibility was transferred to a dedicated organization, currently known as the Utica Zoological Society. This organization was later chartered by the State of New York as an educational institution. The first professional zoo director was hired in 1966. The City of Utica, despite owning the land, does not financially support the zoo. It is instead primarily funded by the Oneida County government, the New York State Natural Heritage Program, and fundraising by the zoo and private donors.[2]

In 2000, a 15.5-foot-tall (4.7 m) metal sculpture of a watering can was obtained by the zoo. This sculpture is listed by Guinness World Records as the world's largest watering can.[3]

In 2004, amid financial issues, the zoo was forced to defer maintenance on its facilities, and consequently lost accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The zoo began pursuing re-accreditation in 2011 after paying off its debts.[4] The white-handed gibbon exhibit was noted as particularly outdated. between 2015 and 2018, the zoo held fundraising campaigns to rehabilitate the primate building, and received grants from the state and county.[5][6] After several years of planning and restructuring, the Utica Zoo was re-accredited by AZA in 2018.[7][8][4] Later in 2018, the first outdoor portion of the primate exhibit was finished.[9]

In 2011, the zoo took in African lions named Bakari and Monni. Prior to their arrival, it had been 30 years since the zoo had lions.[10] The two gave birth to three cubs, and were rehomed once the cubs reached maturity: as of 2022 the cubs still live at the Utica Zoo.[11] In 2019, the zoo's white peacock Merlin was killed by a lion after it flew into their enclosure.[12]

The zoo's red panda couple gave birth to cubs in 2015, as part of the Species Survival Plan for the endangered red pandas.[13] In 2021, both parents died, one of a lung infection and one of a gastrointestinal impaction.[14]

In 2020, the Utica Zoo acquired the Beaversprite nature sanctuary in Fulton County, New York.[15]

In 2021 the zoo rehomed its California sea lions after determining the exhibit was too small for them to exercise freely.[16]

Exhibits

As part of conservation programs, the Utica Zoo has housed Mexican wolves, red pandas, white-naped cranes, white-handed gibbons, Mexican spider monkeys, golden lion tamarins, golden-headed lion tamarins, California sea lions, prehensile-tailed skinks, collard peccaries and snowy owls.[17] The Utica Zoo's current[as of?] collection includes:

References

  1. ^ Natural Science for Youth Foundation (1990). Directory, Natural Science Centers. p. 228.
  2. ^ "Utica Zoo: History".
  3. ^ "Guinness World Records: Largest Watering Can".
  4. ^ a b Silver, Kate (February 16, 2022). "Sparking a Conversation". Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  5. ^ Press, The Associated (September 29, 2016). "Utica Zoo unveils master plan to transform into regional tourist attraction". newyorkupstate. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  6. ^ Bostick, Carolyn. "Utica Zoo gets $100,000 for primate building, program". Herkimer Times Telegram. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  7. ^ "Utica Zoo secures accreditation from Association of Zoos and Aquariums". Utica Observer-Dispatch. September 24, 2018.
  8. ^ "Utica Zoo back in good standing". Daily Sentinel. September 25, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  9. ^ Rondenelli, Jim. "Construction Underway On Utica Zoo's New Primate Building". WIBX 950. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  10. ^ Clukey, Keshia (March 30, 2011). "Utica Zoo adds two lions to collection, opens for season Saturday". Utica Observer Dispatch. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  11. ^ Clukey, Keshia (December 4, 2012). "Lions Monni, Bakari no longer at Utica Zoo". Utica Observer Dispatch. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  12. ^ "Lion kills beloved peacock that flew into its zoo enclosure". AP NEWS. June 20, 2019. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  13. ^ Landau, Joel. "New York state zoo welcomes birth of two Red Panda cubs". nydailynews.com. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  14. ^ Zigrino, Kali. "Utica Zoo's second red panda dies 2 months after his mate". WKTV NewsChannel2. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  15. ^ Bovee, Josh (April 8, 2020). "Utica Zoo acquires Beaversprite Wildlife Sanctuary in Oppenheim". The Gloversville Leader Herald. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  16. ^ Schneider, H. Rose. "Why the Utica Zoo is sending sea lions Munchkin and Porter to new homes". Utica Observer Dispatch. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  17. ^ "Utica Zoo: Conservation".
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