The Central Park Zoo, in partnership with NYC, is operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society. As a city zoo our mission is to allow visitors the opportunity to experience animals they might not otherwise be able to see. By so doing we hope to instill a love of wildlife. Our animals are ambassadors for their counterparts in the wild. Volunteer Zoo Guides provide education about these animals and about conservation of wild animals and wild places.

Description and/or History:
The Central Park Zoo exhibits nearly 150 species of animals in a 5.5 acres within Central Park. The main zoo is divided into tropic, temperate and polar regions with corresponding animals exhibited in each. The mission of the zoo is to provide a real-life encounter with these animals who are ambassadors for their counterparts in the wild. By doing chats and tours and staffing education stations, trained volunteer Zoo Guides provide information about the animals and the conservation issues they face in the wild. In addition to the main zoo, the same ticket price includes entrance into to Tisch Children's Zoo.
The Central Park Zoo reopened in 1988. Sterile cages with bars were removed as were most of the large animals, except sea lions and polar bears, which had been at the zoo since the 1860s. The zoo still occupies the same space as the earlier Menagerie and the Robert Moses Zoo - right behind the Arsenal Building just steps off Fifth Avenue and 64th Street.

Contact people:

Michelle Fufaro, Volunteer Coordinator, (212) 439-6539, (email) Robert Sikora, Education Curator, (212) 439-6517, (email)

Address:

830 Fifth Ave. New York, NY 10021 (See a map)

Directions:

Take the N, R or W to the "Fifth Ave" stop. Enter the park at 60th Street. Walk along the path, through the gates. The Zoo is on your left just beyond the Leaping Frog Cafe. Take the M4 up Madison. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: N, R or W at Fifth Ave Stop,   Walk distance (in minutes): 2   Nearest Bus Stop: M4, 2 minute walk