We are always searching for incredible wildlife encounters that we can enjoy as a family. We discovered several amazing wildlife encounters at the Ross Park Zoo that were definitely worth driving any amount of distance to experience.
From the moment we stepped into the Ross Park Zoo, we could tell there was something special about this beautiful zoo. While we originally came to the zoo for a wildlife encounter, we discovered an amazing destination that families will completely love.
Wildlife Encounters Available at the Ross Park Zoo
We will travel far and wide to have the opportunity to interact with Wildlife. There is something just magical about getting the opportunity to meet wild animals. The Ross Park Zoo offers guests the chance to have a wonderful educational encounter that they won’t find anywhere else.
Red Panda Encounter
We decided to do the Red Panda Encounter, and it was incredible beyond words. We were able to enter the red panda enclosure and have a once-in-a-lifetime up-close encounter with one of the zoo’s two red pandas. This was hands down one of the best experiences we’ve ever had on so many levels.
What was truly impressive to me was the way the program was run from start to finish. The Zoo wants visitors to have a magical and memorable experience but not at the animals’ expense. The Ross Park Zoo rigorously adheres to guidelines they have set in place to protect both visitors and, more importantly, these beautiful creatures. It is easy to forget that while they live in a zoo setting and deal with people daily, they are wild animals and need to be treated with respect and caution.
We met the Red Panda’s Keepers, Anya, and Allison, outside the Panda’s enclosure, where they explained how the encounter would run and gave us instructions. Let me tell you, these ladies really knew their stuff. It was very clear from the get-go that they love what they do and are passionate about animals and conservation.
Once we entered the enclosure, the magic began. We were introduced to Mei-Li, the Zoo’s gorgeous female red panda, who immediately walked down from her perch above and climbed up on a log in front of us. Her keepers gave us small slices of apple and instructed us to feed them to Mei-Li. We spend a magical 20 minutes taking turns giving her apple slices while her keepers talked to us about red pandas, their care, the role they play in their natural habitat, and the threat to their species, as they are indeed endangered species.
After a few minutes of feeding her, we were then offered the opportunity to pet her. My kids could believe their ears. Once again, her keepers showed us how to approach her and where it was okay to touch her. Mei-Li was the perfect little lady too. She seemed as if she was enjoying the attention as much as we enjoyed giving it to her. It was one of the most amazing moments in my life, and we all agreed there was really no topping this experience.
We came away from this experience with so much knowledge and deeper love of red pandas.
Other Encounters Offered at the Ross Park Zoo
The Ross Park Zoo has a multitude of amazing experiences in addition to the Red Panda Encounter.
African Penguin – (April – October only) – Enter the African Penguin and learn about the zoo’s resident penguins. If the animals are inclined to participate in the encounter, you might have the opportunity to feed them their favorite treats.
New World Tropics – Come face to face with two of the cutest zoo residents, a two-toed sloth, and a prehensile-tailed porcupine. Like the Red Panda and African Penguin Encounters, if the animals are inclined to participate, you may be able to give them a special treat.
Snow Leopard – Have you ever wanted to learn how the zoo cares for its resident snow leopard? In this experience, guests can go behind the scenes and learn all about snow leopards and their unique needs and care, as well as their importance in their natural environment. (obviously, it go without saying, you won’t be feeding the snow leopard.) This experience is temporarily suspended due to COVID
Children’s Zoo – This is a great experience for younger animal lovers who want to meet the zoo’s family of friendly goats. (The Children’s Zoo will reopen on Saturday, 9/11)
Exploring America’s 5th Oldest Zoo
Once we were finished with our awesome Red Panda Encounter, we had the opportunity to explore the rest of this lovely zoo. This zoo might not pop on your radar of New York State Zoos, but it definitely should because it is fantastic. The Ross Park Zoo is the 5th oldest zoo in the United States, having opened in 1875.
The Animals
When you have visited as many zoos as we have, you can tell when the animals are thriving and happy, and this was the vibe at the Ross Park Zoo. The Ross Park Zoo has beautifully themed areas with large enclosures. What I really found alluring about this zoo were the exquisite gardens throughout the zoo, many of which are themed, such as the gnome garden. These gardens are created and maintained by a team of volunteers who take special pride in making this zoo gorgeous for everyone who visits.
The Ross Park Zoo puts a large emphasis on conservation, and it is at the heart of everything they do. Currently, the Ross Park Zoo has over 20 animals participating in the Species Survival Plan. This is a cooperative breeding program with zoos all across the United States to help sustain the population of critically endangered animals in captivity.
We visited during one of the Zoo’s Conservation Weekends. There were booths around the zoo with fun crafts and helpful information on pollinators (the theme of this conservation weekend.)
Exhibits
There are several themed buildings at the Ross Park Zoo, where guests can see animals of similar origins:
African Waters – This building features excellent views of the Otters and African penguins and other animals that hail from the same region.
Great Cats of Asia – My kid really enjoyed this exhibit. They like playing I-spy, trying to spot the snow leopard who blended in beautifully with his surroundings and the Amur Leopard who posed for pictures like he was in a fashion show. He clearly enjoys seeing people fawn over him.
Wolf Woods – This was a vast enclosure for the Zoo’s Red Wolf. (There was a smaller enclosure adjacent to it for the Arctic Foxes) This was one of the most impressive enclosures I have seen for wolves. The large area gives the wolf room to run, play, and even find solitude from visitors.
There are other enclosures for different animals spread throughout the zoo grounds. What makes the Ross Park Zoo different is how natural these enclosures look. They don’t appear like animal cages but more like animal homes, with landscaping that fits with what you might imagine you find them in, in the wild.
Know Before You Go
- The zoo is separated into a lower zoo and an upper zoo. There are two paths; the main path runs through the zoo and it has a steep incline as it heads up to the upper zoo. If you are looking for a more gradual slope, I recommend taking the outside path. (This path feels like you are taking a stroll through the woods with the added bonus of beautifully carved rock walls along its one side. It is really quite stunning.)
- There is a short nature trail, near the Great Cats of Asia building, that little explorers will just love to take.
- Due to the incline of the zoo’s main path, I would recommend wearing sneakers when visiting, especially if you plan on spending several hours at the zoo.
- Most of the zoo is outside, you will want to be prepared for the weather and dress accordingly.
- If you are looking for some yummy snacks or lunch, you honestly can’t beat the prices at the Leopard’s Spot Snack Shack. Many of the Zoos I have visited charge an arm and leg for food (mainly because they feel like they have you as a captive audience.) It was refreshing to see such reasonable prices and the food was excellent. There is also a covered picnic area where you can enjoy your food, as well as a playground where the kiddo can burn off some excess energy.
- Kids will love taking a ride on the Ross Park Zoo Carousel.
Hours & Admission
The Ross Park Zoo is open daily from 10 am – 4 pm with the last admission at 3 pm. The zoo will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The zoo will be closed the following Tuesdays for staff training and development: May 2nd, June 6th, September 5th, October 3rd, November 7th, and December 5th.
Getting to the Ross Park Zoo
Address: 60 Morgan Rd, Binghamton, NY