This is my first time reviewing any zoos or aquariums on the site, so what better way to start than to begin than with my hometown zoo. I may sound somewhat biased because of how much this zoo means to me but I will try to be as honest with my opinions and descriptions as possible. In the city of Syracuse, home to about 146,000 people and a suburban reach of about 650,000 lies a small-mid sized zoo up on a hill overlooking the city. This would be the Rosamond Gifford Zoo (formerly Burnet Park Zoo) and it is one of several upstate NY zoos and one of the finest in it's exhibit quality and collection. Over 900 animals and over 200 species call this home with several indoor and outdoor exhibits. In Syracuse winters can be rough so when the zoo was redesigned in the 80's many of the zoos animals were placed inside in 4 different, yet all connected sections of the main zoo building. Along with these exhibits the zoo features a domestic animal area, a waterfowl pond and a wildlife trail featuring primarily animals that can withstand the harsh winters. The zoo has gone thru several changes over the years to better itself and to make a more enjoyable experience for it's visitors (over 300,000 a year). The main Building lobby is one of the first "Green" buildings in the area which helps promote it's efforts to educate about conservation. Inside you can find a large gift shop, several conference halls and classrooms as well as a restaurant. One thing RGZ does well is education feature several programs and classes for children as well as special tours and events for adults. Upon reaching the end of the main hall there is the first of 4 indoor exhibit areas; USS Antiquities. To many locals it will always be known as the cave as the interior still keeps this facade despite the submarine entrance, once ago the entire exhibit was in the cave design. The main concept is that you are traveling back in time to witness the evolution of animals thru 23 exhibits. Highlights include a large freshwater tank with species of fish found in New York State, a beautiful Panamanian Golden Frog exhibit, a desert biome featuring 4 species of lizards and the finale of a South American Riverside with Giant Amazon River Turtles, Yellow Spotted turtles, Dwarf Caimans and one Grand Cayman Island Iguana. This exhibit is larger than the rest put together and features an open air view with a stream and several plants to create the illusion. Just outside the Antiquities area is the newest resident, A giant Pacific Octopus and several coldwater fish. This exhibit was actually designed and created by Living Color Aquariums and the team of Fish Tank Kings. After the Cave visitors are treated to the Diversity of Birds area, a good sized rainforest featuring over 20 bird species and a Radiated Tortoise. Inside you can find Bleeding-Heart Doves, Inca Terns, Scarlet Ibis, Roseatte Spoonbills, Nicobar Pigeons and many more. It features a large pool for the wading birds as well as a tall ceiling with windows on the roof to allow natural sunlight to flow in. Many birds are not shy and will allow visitors to get very close but usually fly away if they feel scared. After passing thru into the dark visitors encounter the adaptions area, also known as the nocturnal exhibits because of the dark hallway and creatures inside. The first thing you see is the naked mole rat exhibit which has a natural look to it and creates an excellent opportunity to view these strange mammals in action. Moving on are 7 exhibits, including three-toed sloths, Seahorses, Fennec Foxes, Egyptian Fruit bats, Ocelots and more. Somewhat in between adaptions and the ecosystems building is a small display of River Otters that seem to be in their own category. When returning thru the light and passing thru the doors visitors enter a corridor and will be able to either check out a long exhibit of peacocks and ducks or the guest favorite African Lions. This exhibit is somewhat on the smaller side but does feature rock work and a cave for them as well as several enrichment items to enjoy when they are not sleeping. The final building is home to what is now known as Ecosystems, which was for the longest time known as the Social Animal house before the Rainforest exhibits were added. Over the years this buildings lineup has gone thru more changes than most, at one point the primary tenants were all primates with a few exceptions. Now several types of animals can be seen, including: Meerkats, Ring-tailed and Black and White ruffed Lemurs, Fossas, Green Tree Python, Golden Lion Tamarins, Siamang, and the new guest favorites Patas Monkeys. The Patas have stolen the show for the zoo in this area feature a large family of seven including several babies, the zoo has seen much success in breeding in the short time they have had them including 2 births within a year of each. The Rainforest section has somewhat lost its theme but was never truly spectacular, simply put it was the original exhibits with the walls painted to look like a rainforest. Many exhibits feature several natural items such as climbing branches and rocks and for the most part are very realistic, albeit some appear to small now and many do not have outdoor access. Recently the zoo opened the Primate park which is a large outdoor mesh covered area that allows the zoos Patas Monkeys, Lemurs and Siamang to have outdoor access in warmer weather. It features a small hill with a waterfall and stream and a viewing cave for guests. The outdoor exhibits are not as plentiful mainly due to the rough winters Syracuse endures, but they do have an impressive collection on it's wildlife trail. Before walking back to the trail visitors are treated to a large Waterfowl pond that has been renovated to include a natural marsh and stream and features several Northern species such as Wood Ducks, Mallards, Golden Eyes, Smews and even a flock of Chilean Flamingos. Across the way is the renovated Barnyard feature several domestic breeds such as Sicilian Donkeys, Guinea Hogs, Nubian Goats and Sheep. There is also a small amphitheater recently built into a hillside that is home the the zoos bird show. further down are a few small aviaries containing African Magpies and Kookaburras. The Main trail features 21 exhibits on a half mile loop, many feature animals in a naturalistic setting and even utilize the natural terrain and woods around them. The trail features Amur Tigers, Humboldt Penguins, Andean Condors, Spectacled Bears, Markhor Goats, Red Pandas, Red Wolves, Asian Elephants, Snow Leopards, Guanacos and many more. Some exhibits such as the Leopards and Bears feature rocky exhibits with streams and pools to climb around in, others like the Amur Tigers have a large exhibit that is built on the hillside with the guests viewing down from the top of the hill and even has a viewing window next to the tigers pool. The two standouts on the trail have to be the Asian Elephant Preserve and the Penguin Coast exhibits. The Elephants were at on time relegated to a small yard in the front of the zoo that was no longer adequate after 2 infant elephant deaths. The new preserve is over 3 acres in size and features a wide open grassy plain with some large trees and shade structures. It also has a side yard so the male can also be out when the females have the main yard, the zoo has a rich tradition if breeding Asian Elephants and now they can continue that with this addition. The main barn is capable of holding up to 12 adult elephants and features a viewing window for visitors for when the elephants are inside, and also has a small amphitheater for when the zoo performs is demonstrations with the elephants. The second crown jewel of the zoo is the Penguin Coast which features a large colony of Humboldt Penguins that have had tremendous success since first opening with chicks born every year. This is one of the more naturalistic exhibits featuring a rocky coast line with nesting caves and a large pool with an island in the middle. There are several viewing windows featuring different levels of viewing, some like the main window feature a split level view while on the opposite side guest get a completely underwater view to watch the birds "fly" thru the water. The RGZ may not be the largest zoo but what it lacks in size it makes up for with a good collection and strong exhibits as well as a great connection with the community. The zoo does a wonderful job educating visitors and giving the area a world class attraction, and it has plans to keep growing and changing for years to come.
Thanks for another nice review of a very good establishment. I visited the zoo in the summer of 2012 and I was pleasantly surprised and the outdoor exhibits are almost all top-notch.
