Rosamond Gifford Zoo

Rosamond Gifford Zoo Home to 700+ animals, Rosamond Gifford Zoo provides the best day ever: experiences that excite, memories that inspire and worldwide conservation education.

Social Media Policy: https://bit.ly/3ZgtIp8
Admission: https://bit.ly/3CR5XIj Founded in 1914, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park is among the top 10 percent of zoos in the country as an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is dedicated to connecting people to the natural world by providing engaging guest experiences, exceptional animal care, and unparalleled conserv

ation education. The zoo actively collaborates with Friends of the Zoo to provide its guests “the best day ever,” ensuring experiences that excite, memories that endure, and knowledge that inspires worldwide conservation.

Hawk (first photo) or falcon (second photo)? Although they are both birds of prey, there are some key differences betwee...
08/21/2025

Hawk (first photo) or falcon (second photo)? Although they are both birds of prey, there are some key differences between hawks and falcons. One visual way to tell a hawk from a falcon is by noticing the bird’s wings. Falcons have more slender and narrow wings that are pointy at the ends. (In some species, those points almost resemble fingers.) Hawks’ wings, on the other hand, are wider and usually have a more rounded shape.

Have you read about our new Northern tree shrew, Odessa, in MyZoo Magazine? She arrived on a breeding recommendation wit...
08/20/2025

Have you read about our new Northern tree shrew, Odessa, in MyZoo Magazine? She arrived on a breeding recommendation with our male tree shrew, Turmeric from the El Paso Zoo. She and Turmeric can be seen on exhibit together in their new home in the Social Animals building, across from the lemur’s inside exhibit.

Read MyZoo Magazine HERE: https://bit.ly/45kTFr0

Did you know you can book a guided tour of the zoo? Make the most of your visit as you learn all about the zoo’s importa...
08/20/2025

Did you know you can book a guided tour of the zoo? Make the most of your visit as you learn all about the zoo’s important conservation work from a trained Friends of the Zoo volunteer docent. You’ll even get to hear behind-the-scenes tidbits about many of our animals! For more information about Guided Tours, please visit https://bit.ly/45NjLmx.

Looking for a more up-close look at our animals? Consider an Animal Encounter! https://bit.ly/45KCtMa

Teachers, bring your class to the zoo for STEAM Day! Friday, September 26, is a college and career exploration day at th...
08/19/2025

Teachers, bring your class to the zoo for STEAM Day! Friday, September 26, is a college and career exploration day at the zoo. Join us for a day of hands-on activities, learn about higher education and employment opportunities in the STEAM field in CNY.

Come ready to explore everything STEAM… from animals to engineering, and everything in between! Visit our website to learn more and register your group: https://bit.ly/3Bf3av9

Elephants have the longest gestation period of any mammal, land or sea. Elephants are pregnant on average for 22 months....
08/19/2025

Elephants have the longest gestation period of any mammal, land or sea. Elephants are pregnant on average for 22 months. In comparison, a s***m whale’s gestation period is only 16 months!

Shout-out to our Asian elephant Mali, who was pregnant for almost TWO YEARS with TWINS, each over 200 lbs. at birth.

Elephant twins comprise less than 1% of elephant births worldwide, and the chance of both the twins and the mom surviving is even lower. Come see our entire elephant herd, including miracle Yaad and Tukada daily at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.

Your support is their survival! https://p2p.onecause.com/summer2025Like so many species at our zoo, red wolves are criti...
08/18/2025

Your support is their survival! https://p2p.onecause.com/summer2025

Like so many species at our zoo, red wolves are critically endangered. That’s one big reason why your zoo matters. By caring for endangered animals at our zoo, we safeguard the species’ continued survival. Our work with red wolves is a prime example of the vital conservation actions fueled by your support. Together, we can create a lasting impact for wildlife everywhere, including our community.

With your help, we will inspire new heights for exceptional animal care, wildlife conservation, and public outreach within our community and around the world.

One of the most common questions that the Rosamond Gifford Zoo’s animal care team hear about the birds of prey in our We...
08/18/2025

One of the most common questions that the Rosamond Gifford Zoo’s animal care team hear about the birds of prey in our Weathering Yard is, “What are those birds doing?” The short answer to that question is, “They’re weathering, which is a positive process that promotes natural behavior and overall welfare for our raptors.” Interested in the longer, more detailed answer? We figured you would be. Check out our blog for more details on weathering, what it is, and why it helps our birds of prey thrive: https://bit.ly/3HwnZFI

We're having TONS of fun at our Asian Elephant Extravaganza in honor of ! We celebrated the birthday's of our two oldes...
08/17/2025

We're having TONS of fun at our Asian Elephant Extravaganza in honor of ! We celebrated the birthday's of our two oldest Asian elephants, Romani, who turned 49, and Siri, who turned 58, with "cakes" created by our amazing Catering at the Zoo team. Siri got her cake to herself but Romani shared with the entire herd. The fun continues until 3 p.m., so bring YOUR herd to the zoo to celebrate with us and learn more about our precious pachyderms and the cultures of their native range.

Thank you to our sponsors, Kapoor & Coyle Law Firm, Untangled, Mental Health Counseling & Creative Arts Therapy, and New York Life Finger Lakes General Office.

Bharatanatyam dance performance rugs provided by Shehadi Rugs & Cleaning.

Tomorrow, August 17, is our annual Asian Elephant Extravaganza! Check out the schedule of events below: 10 a.m. - Dance ...
08/16/2025

Tomorrow, August 17, is our annual Asian Elephant Extravaganza! Check out the schedule of events below:

10 a.m. - Dance Arts Advocates: Walking with Elephants | Courtyard
10:30 a.m. - Elephants do Yoga | Helga Beck Asian Elephant Preserve
10:30 a.m. - Nusantara Arts of Music Gamelan Music Performance | Courtyard Gazebo
11 a.m. - Tabla Performance | Courtyard
11:30 a.m. - Members of our Herd will Paint at Overlook | Helga Beck Asian Elephant Preserve
11:30 a.m. - Nusantara Arts of Music Gamelan Music Performance | Courtyard Gazebo
11:30 a.m. - Anjani Dance Academy | Courtyard
Noon - Dance Arts Advocates: Walking with Elephants | Courtyard
Noon - Siri celebrates her Birthday with Cake | Helga Beck Asian Elephant Preserve
12:30 p.m. - Nusantara Arts of Music Gamelan Music Performance | Courtyard Gazebo
1:30 p.m. - Tabla Performance | Courtyard
1:30 p.m. - Nusantara Arts of Music Gamelan Music Performance | Courtyard Gazebo
2 p.m. - Creature Chat – Spotlight on elephant foot care and training | Helga Beck Asian Elephant Preserve
2:30 p.m. - Elephant Watermelon Smash | Helga Beck Asian Elephant Preserve
2:30 p.m. - Nusantara Arts of Music Gamelan Music Performance | Courtyard Gazebo
3 p.m. - Honeybees & Elephants – Keeper & Beekeeper Chat | Helga Beck Asian Elephant Preserve
3:30 p.m. - Nusantara Arts of Music Gamelan Music Performance | Courtyard Gazebo
This event is free with membership or admission!

Komodo dragons are one of the rare vertebrate species capable of parthenogenesis. Parthenogenesis, or the production of ...
08/16/2025

Komodo dragons are one of the rare vertebrate species capable of parthenogenesis. Parthenogenesis, or the production of viable offspring without male fertilization, is thought to be a reproductive adaptation that accommodates wild Komodo dragons’ isolated nature when a mate is not available. Interestingly, parthenogenetically produced offspring are NOT genetic clones of their mothers because the process of parthenogenesis involves two eggs’ half-set of genetic material doubling up to form a new combination. Visit our Komodo dragon, Naga, in her outdoor habitat in the courtyard!

Second photo by Bill Benson.

What is protected contact, and why is it important? “Protected contact” is a phrase that describes the spatial relations...
08/15/2025

What is protected contact, and why is it important? “Protected contact” is a phrase that describes the spatial relationship between some of our resident animals and their caretakers. In short, “protected contact” means that an animal and human never share space, except in rare cases for medical procedures that require hands-on care. This arrangement helps both animals and humans stay safe and comfortable because it provides animals with the distance from humans (yes, even humans dedicated to their care!) they naturally prefer. Some species that operate under protected contact at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo include the Asian elephants, Amur leopards, and more.

Address

1 Conservation Place
Syracuse, NY
13204

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 10am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 10am - 4:30pm
Thursday 10am - 4:30pm
Friday 10am - 4:30pm
Saturday 10am - 4:30pm
Sunday 10am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+13154358511

Website

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Our Story

Founded in 1914, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park is home to more than 700 animals representing 275 species, many of them endangered or threatened in the wild.

As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), we are among only 236 zoos and aquariums in the nation proven to meet the highest standards of animal care, conservation and guest experience. We are dedicated to connecting people to the natural world by providing engaging experiences, exceptional animal welfare, and unparalleled conservation education. The zoo is co-operated by Onondaga County Parks and the Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo with the mission to provide guests “the best day ever,” ensuring experiences that excite, memories that endure, and knowledge that inspires world wildlife conservation.

Visit our website at www.rosamondgiffordzoo.org and the AZA website at www.aza.org to learn more about our high standards of animal care and dedication to #savingspecies from extinction.