Franklin Park Zoo

Franklin Park Zoo Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Franklin Park Zoo, Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA.
(18492)

Our mission is to inspire people to protect and sustain the natural world for future generations by creating fun and engaging experiences that integrate wildlife and conservation programs, research, and education.

11/24/2025

Nothing but the best for this birthday girl: a frozen mashed pumpkin cake drizzled with honey. Happy birthday, Cleo! 🦛

Have you seen Kondoo's new buddy? It's Walter, another male nyala! You can tell that Walter is younger because you can s...
11/23/2025

Have you seen Kondoo's new buddy? It's Walter, another male nyala! You can tell that Walter is younger because you can see the difference in size, coloring and horns. But they are gentle companions and getting along beautifully, and we're excited to watch Walter grow alongside Kondoo.

Look for the pair resting or grazing near each other in the Kalahari Kingdom.

11/21/2025

We thought you'd all love to see how our red panda is doing at Stone Zoo. Gimli still loves his bamboo! 💚

Though they’re classified as carnivores, red pandas primarily eat a vegetarian diet of berries, roots, blossoms and the leaves of various plants — like bamboo! Their large mouths and powerful jaws and teeth help them crush the stalks.

Video of Gimli perched on hind legs noshing on bamboo by Educator Lexi

You'll likely see more than prairie dogs in the prairie dog habitat. Peacocks Squid and Snowbank are in the mix too! You...
11/21/2025

You'll likely see more than prairie dogs in the prairie dog habitat. Peacocks Squid and Snowbank are in the mix too!

You never know where you might find one of our free-ranging peacocks at Franklin Park Zoo. If you come across one around the zoo, remember to give them space and observe them from afar.

The giraffe calf has a name! Say hello to Packenham, who will be affectionately called “P***y.” This name was selected b...
11/20/2025

The giraffe calf has a name!

Say hello to Packenham, who will be affectionately called “P***y.”

This name was selected by Olivia Mairead Packenham in honor of her late father, Richard "P***y" Packenham Esq. Thank you to everyone who participated in the recent naming auction. All proceeds support the continued care of P***y after his stay at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University and the continued care by his animal care team at Franklin Park Zoo.

With the weather cooling off, our giraffes are spending more time behind the scenes in their heated barn. But stay tuned, we’ll continue to share updates and milestones with our growing boy!

There’s an empty perch at Stone Zoo. We are heartbroken to share that our beloved barn owl, Valkyrie, passed away from n...
11/19/2025

There’s an empty perch at Stone Zoo. We are heartbroken to share that our beloved barn owl, Valkyrie, passed away from natural causes this past weekend. During her 15 years at Zoo New England, Val touched many hearts—animal caregivers and guest alike.

She hatched at Franklin Park Zoo back in 2010 and later moved to Stone Zoo, where she most recently was an animal ambassador. Katie Corbett, Assistant Director of Education, says she will remember Val for her curiosity and feistiness. “You definitely had to earn Valkyrie’s trust. She was truly beloved by all, and made a huge impact on the thousands of visitors that attended our daily owl chats over the last few years.”

At 15 years old, Valkyrie was considered geriatric. Her long life is a testament to the doting care she received at Zoo New England. Barn owls in human care far outlive those in the wild, whose average lifespan is only about 4 years due to threats like rodenticides. Val will be dearly missed.

11/19/2025

Good morning—and happy World Anteater Day! 🥱

Forget the bugs — do you need coffee to wake YOU up in the morning? You can help giant anteater populations by buying shade-grown coffee. Anteaters and other wildlife are threatened by habitat loss and fires often used to clear natural vegetation for crop plantations. Shade-grown coffee utilizes trees and natural vegetation, rather than cleared land, and can be identified by a Bird Friendly label.

Primarily nocturnal, emerald tree boas spend much of their time coiled on tree branches with their head at the center. A...
11/19/2025

Primarily nocturnal, emerald tree boas spend much of their time coiled on tree branches with their head at the center. At night, these carnivores extend their head downward, patiently waiting to ambush prey. They have the largest front teeth (proportionally) of any non-venomous snake! 🐍

Photo: Volunteer Matthew Colombo

11/17/2025

Minis on the move—with Betty!

Taking walks around Franklin Farm can be a form of enrichment for our animals, who get see and sniff new spots around the zoo. Training to walk on a lead is also helpful for our animal care team, so keepers can safely and calmly move our farm animals between corrals. And of course, mini marches are also a treat for guests to see if you happen to be in the right place at the right time!

Caturday Fun Fact: Clouded leopards like Jye are often called the "modern saber-tooth" because their canine teeth are la...
11/15/2025

Caturday Fun Fact: Clouded leopards like Jye are often called the "modern saber-tooth" because their canine teeth are larger in proportion to their body size than those of any other cat.

Photo: Volunteer Matthew Colombo

Hooray for our Ed-ZOO-cators! Today is the International Day of Zoo and Aquarium Educators. If you see one of these frie...
11/13/2025

Hooray for our Ed-ZOO-cators!

Today is the International Day of Zoo and Aquarium Educators. If you see one of these friendly faces, give them a hearty thanks. They are always quick to show off a biofact, point out a really cool behavior, answer all your questions or come quickly with an ice pack. We appreciate you, Educators!

11/12/2025

Brush clippings and tree branches may look like waste, but they can be so much more. In fact, a neighborly partnership between Franklin Park Zoo and the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is turning those trimmings into tasty noshing for some Zoo residents.

For a few years now, the Arboretum has been offering the Zoo a variety of plant clippings that had been collected during regular maintenance and cleanup. Some of these plants, like honey locust, linden, grapevine, and hawthorn, may not be readily available on zoo grounds — but they’re still a safe and tasty treat for the animals. This collaboration lets the Arboretum find good use for all stages of the plant’s life, while the zoo can support the health well-being of many of its residents by offering novel foods that encourage natural foraging and feeding behaviors.

Brendan with the Arboretum and Brianne with Zoo New England explain more about this win-win!

Address

1 Franklin Park Road
Boston, MA
02121

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm

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