Programs and News
WEATHER CLOSES ZOO ON FEBRUARY 20
The year's first winter weather caused North Carolina Zoo officials to close the Zoo to the public today. The Zoo will likely resume normal operating hours on Tuesday.
Time Warner Cable Unleashes Dinosaurs at the Zoo!
Coming April 1 - A Blast from the (Prehistoric) Past
Animated versions of more than a dozen species of Dinosaurs and one Pelycosaur will converge at the NC Zoo this spring, summer and fall.
The animatronic creatures will sway, snort and growl inside a woodland peppered with trees and shrubs that resemble—and share an ancestral linage with—the plants that once sheltered, fed and surrounded actual dinosaurs. A must-see journey that weaves through the Cretaceous, Jurassic, Triassic and even the top of the Permian to seek out some of the strangest, tallest and most remarkable beasts of their times. Fun for the whole family.
Whooo's New at the Zoo?
...A pair of long-legged, big-eyed birds known as "Burrowing Owls." Tiny for owls (only about 10 inches tall), Burrowing Owls take a more favorable view of daylight than many of their relatives. These cute little-chippers spend a good deal of time stirring about while the Sun is up, especially in the early mornings and late afternoons.
Burrowing Owls differ from more conventional owls in other ways, too. They choose, for example, to shelter their nests in underground burrows rather than in trees. The Burrowing Owl's willingness to nest down instead of up makes sense in terms of its habitat. Burrowing Owls inhabit dry, open areas such as grasslands prairies and deserts, where trees are scarce. And, while Burrowing Owls are perfectly capable of digging their own burrows, it is not uncommon for one to move into an abandoned burrow or to evict a resident skunk, prairie dog, armadillo or other occupant from its current digs. The Zoo's new Burrowing Owls are on exhibit daily in the Sonoran Desert exhibit. (NC Zoo photo by Tom Gillespie)
Go Behind the Scenes at the Zoo
The Zoo Society will resume its keeper-led Backstage Passes in March. Sign up to go behind the scenes with a keeper to learn all about the animals you love the most. Many behind-the-scenes events allow participants to feed the animals healthy treats and all, or nearly all, of the cost of a Backstage Pass is tax deductible as a donation to the North Carolina Zoo's conservation programs. A great way to have fun and do some good for wildlife at the same time. LEARN MORE.
Welcome to the World
New Baboon Born: Mom, Dad and the Baby are all doing fine and are all on exhibit at the African Pavilion at the North Carolina Zoo.
New Chimp Born: The Zoo proudly announces the birth of Ebi, a female Chimpanzee, on January 16. Ebi's mother, Tammy, a 41-year old female is doing fine and is caring for her new infant without help from the keeper staff. Ebi and her mother will NOT be on exhibit until the weather gets warmer and the youngster is old enough to be outside. Expect to see Ebi playing with the Zoo's other youngster, Nori, sometime this summer.
The Zoo's Cypress Swamp recorded a new arrival, too, hatching a super cute little Chicken Turtle. You can see its picture here.
NC Zoo to Offer Training Workshop with Polar Bears International
Staff from Polar Bears International will team up with the North Carolina Zoo's Arctic Ambassadors to teach a workshop on Polar Bear conservation. The workshop is open to Zoo and Museum keepers, interpreters and volunteers who want to improve their understanding of the science and the issues related to Global Climate Change. The workshop will also discuss best practices for communicating about science and conservation. Learn more.
Travel with Us.
We've got adventures (whitewater rafting, swimming with Manatees or Whale Sharks), and we have added some international expeditions that will get travelers volunteering with Pandas in China or visiting Orangutans in the wild and in a Borneo rehabilitation center.
Learn More
Shadow a Veterinarian—a Tour for Two People
Accompany Senior Veterinarian Ryan DeVoe as he travels behind the scenes to check on, and treat, his Zoo patients. We work with you to arrange a date that fits your schedule. Tours available for February and May.
2012 Veterinary Camp Schedule and Application Processes
The NC Zoo Society has begun taking applications for the five veterinary camps it will hold in 2012. These camps invite people to explore science and, especially, veterinary medicine as it applies to wild animals living in zoos or in their native habitats. Camps are available for 7th - 9th graders; rising 10th graders - College Freshman; and, this year, we have added a day camp for interested grownups.
Learn More