Little Ray's Nature Center - Syracuse

10/01/2025

Is anyone n the Virginia area? Be sure to go visit our exhibit and some of our animals at the Virginia Aquarium

10/01/2025

Today, we mourn the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall, a true pioneer, a compassionate guardian of wildlife, and an inspiration to our nature-loving community across the globe. 🌿

Her work changed the world’s understanding of animals and our relationship with nature. She was not only a scientist, but a storyteller, a teacher, and a voice for the voiceless. In her decades of research at Gombe, she showed that chimpanzees use tools, harbor personalities, and feel deeply — shattering old assumptions and bridging empathy between humans and the rest of life. 

But her legacy extends beyond science. Through the Jane Goodall Institute and her Roots & Shoots youth program, she inspired millions — young and old — to act in their own communities, to protect ecosystems, and to believe that each person, every day, can make a difference. 

We are honoring her memory by recommitting to our mission: to nurture a deeper connection to nature, to support wildlife conservation locally, and to empower every visitor to act with kindness for the planet.

💚 please share your favorite Jane Goodall quote or what she meant to you

As Jane once said, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” Let us carry forward her vision in our daily actions.

09/21/2025

It’s not natural for us to stack rocks in the wild. It really hurts the eco-system

09/19/2025

09/16/2025

🫘When you buy Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee, you get coffee grown with biodiversity, conservation, and sustainability in mind!

🌿 Rainforest Alliance enforces standards that ensure water is used efficiently, farmers enhance on-farm biodiversity, but most of all there is no deforestation! 🎉

✨The Rainforest Alliance is an international nonprofit organization (NGO) with over 30 years’ experience that works in more than 80 countries around the globe to help protect the environment, conserve biodiversity and promote the rights and well-being of workers, their families and communities.�The Rainforest Alliance helps create a world in which people and nature thrive together in harmony. ✨

☕️ When you purchase Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee, you can trust that your coffee is making a positive impact on both the environment and the communities from which it came.

🌟Did you know you can purchase Rainforest Alliance certified coffee in our gift shop!? 🎉🫘🦥🐸🌿

09/16/2025

09/10/2025

We are always so happy to receive feedback like this. The drawing is really amazing and our hearts are full! 💕🙌

09/04/2025

This is some helpful information on rabbits PLEASE pass the word that most of the time when you find a bunny it is not actually orphaned and even though you are trying to help you are actually more then likely interfering with nature. I have run into ALOT of people trying to "help" bunnies that did not need help this year. They stand a MUCH better chance if you leave them alone.

Does that rabbit need help?

Mothers feed baby rabbits only twice a day—at dawn and dusk. Baby rabbits found alone in a nest are usually NOT orphans. They spend 98% of their life alone with out their mothers watching over them.

If a nest has been disturbed, put it back together and cover the babies with the grass that originally covered them. To check if the mother is coming to care for them, place several lengths of yarn (small branches work, too) in a grid pattern over the nest. If the grid is disturbed after the next dawn or dusk, the mother is still caring for the youngsters.

Baby rabbits leave the nest when they're 3 weeks old and about the size of a chipmunk. If you find a chipmunk-sized but fully-furred rabbit with eyes open, ears erect, and the ability to hop, she is MEANT to be on her own. As small and helpless as she may look, she's not an orphan and doesn't need your help.

You can prevent harm to baby rabbits by checking your yard carefully for rabbit nests before you mow. Do this especially if you've let the grass get taller than usual.

Outdoor cats and dogs are a major threat to bunnies. If your pet gets hold of a bunny, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian should see the bunny immediately. And bring the pet indoors immediately. A dog or cat will remember where the nest is and put the other bunnies at risk.

09/04/2025

Sad message

We have sad news. Hercules, the bald eagle who dozens of people from both sides of the Delaware River spent days trying to help, passed away overnight shortly after he was rescued.

We took a while to update social media about Hercules because we wanted to let Steve – who made the call to us about an eagle in distress and then sat with Hercules through a rain storm – know first. And also because we wanted to give his passing the time and attention it deserved, and make an effort to prevent this from happening to other animals.

Due to his high lead levels, and the lack of any other obvious contributing factors, we believe lead poisoning killed Hercules. It is not news that lead is toxic. Lead paint was banned in 1978 because of the significant health problems, including brain damage, it can cause in children. Lead shot was banned for hunting waterfowl a little over a decade later because of the negative impact on wildlife and the environment. And in 1996, the use of leaded gasoline in the U.S. was prohibited because of the hazards it can cause.
For eagles and other birds, symptoms of lead poisoning include brain swelling, respiratory distress, muscle weakness, dehydration, cramping, starvation, kidney and liver damage, and seizures. There is related neurological damage as well, including loss of coordination, impaired vision and nerve function, with the bird appearing to stagger or displaying difficulty standing. This exactly fits the reports we received of Hercules rocking on his talons, having difficulty standing, and appearing grounded.

There are two principal ways that eagles (and other animals) get lead poisoning – by eating fish which have swallowed lead sinkers, lures, etc., or by eating carrion (including leftover gut piles) which contain lead shot. Even the tiniest fragment of lead can be lethal to an eagle, as it is dissolved in the stomach acid and then transferred into the bloodstream and organs. The lead gets absorbed, not passed out, and it accumulates in the liver and kidneys, and then is deposited in the bones.

It is not a gentle end.

So we are asking the hunters and fishers out there to consider alternatives to lead ammunition and tackle. In particular, copper ammunition has become more popular in recent years, is just as effective, is not toxic the way that lead is, and is not significantly more expensive than lead-based ammo (don’t take our word for it – there is a link to an article by Back Country Hunters & Anglers in the comments, with a list of available non-lead ammunition). For fishing tackle, a 7-second Amazon search brings up scores of lead-free options (and we have a link to a list of other retailers in the comments as well).

We wish we had better news about Hercules, that we had been able to save him. But if even a handful of people convert to lead-free ammunition and fishing tackle after learning about Hercules, at least his passing will have made a difference.

08/31/2025

🌍🐾It's National Zoo Awareness Day!🐾🌍

Today, we're not just opening our gates - we're opening our hearts to the wild wonders of the world! Zoos are more than just a place to see exotic animals - they play a crucial role in conservation, education, and research that impacts wildlife around the globe.🌎

Here's why zoos are so important:

🩺Rescue and Rehabilitation
Zoos often act as sanctuaries for animals that can no longer survive in the wild. Injured, orphaned, or confiscated animals find a second chance at life within the safety of many zoos. These institutions provide the care and rehabilitation needed, sometimes leading to successful reintroductions into the wild. Little Ray's Nature Center is a large exotic animal rescue organization enrolled in the AZA pathway program and a proud member of Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA)!

📖Education for All
Knowledge is power, and zoos around the world educate millions of visitors each year about the importance of wildlife and ecosystems. Through interactive exhibits, informative keeper talks, and hands-on activities, zoos help inspire people of all ages to care about the planet and take action to protect it.

🧬Scientific Research
Zoos conduct critical research that benefit wild animals, as well as animals in human care. Whether it's studying animal behavior, disease prevention, or reproductive techniques, the work done at zoos help improve the lives of animals everywhere. This research also aids in habitat conservation and the development of sustainable practices.

Zoos aren't just local attractions—they're part of a global network working towards common goals. Through partnerships with wildlife organizations, governments, and communities, zoos help tackle issues like habitat destruction, poaching, and climate change. Your visit supports these worldwide efforts. So on this National Zoo Awareness Day, remember that every visit, every donation, and every conversation about conservation helps build a future where wildlife and people can thrive together!🌟🐢 Whether you're snapping a selfie with your favorite animal or learning about our eco-friendly initiatives, remember that YOU are a part of this amazing journey!🌱

Come visit Little Ray's, get involved, and help us make every day a little more wild.✨🦜

08/24/2025

08/22/2025

🎡 The NY State Fair is in full swing — but if you’re looking for a different kind of adventure, our cane toads are here to welcome you 🐸✨

Cane toads are one of the largest toad species in the world, and they have a pretty wild history! They were originally introduced to different parts of the world as pest control — but instead of just eating the bugs, they thrived and spread way beyond what people expected. Today, they’re known for their size, toughness, and their famous parotoid glands (those big bumps behind their eyes) that can secrete toxins to keep predators away.

Luckily, just like with poison dart frogs, our cane toads here aren’t dangerous to admire — they’re part of our conservation education and love showing off their personalities!

So whether you’re hitting the fair or looking for something to do after, we’re OPEN and ready to hop into your weekend plans 🐸💚