Utica Zoo
{{Short description|Regional zoo in Utica, New York}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{use American English|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox zoo
|zoo_name=Utica Zoo
|date_opened=1914
|location=1 Utica Zoo Way, Utica, New York, US
|coordinates={{coord|43.082|-75.246|type:landmark_region:US-NY|display=inline,title}}
|area={{convert|40|acre}}
|members=AZA
|num_animals=200
|num_species=
|annual_visitors=
|exhibits=
|image=Utica Zoo sign (New York).jpg
|image_caption=Utica Zoo entrance sign
|website={{URL|uticazoo.org}}
}}
Utica Zoo is a regional zoo in Utica, New York, situated in a section of Roscoe Conkling Park. It consists of a mixture of outdoor and indoor animal enclosures, a petting zoo, nature trails, and other amenities.{{cite book|publisher= Natural Science for Youth Foundation
| title = Directory, Natural Science Centers
| date = 1990
| pages = 162–163 }}
The Utica Zoo is primarily funded by the Oneida County government, the New York State Natural Heritage Program, and fundraising by the zoo and private donors. The City of Utica does not financially support the zoo at present, although it still owns the land occupied by the zoo.
History
The Utica Zoo was founded in 1914 with an initial collection of three fallow deer. The City of Utica owns the {{convert|80|acre}} of zoo property, of which 40 is currently developed. The first permanent building was erected in 1920. The City of Utica Parks Department managed the zoo until 1964, when responsibility was transferred to a dedicated organization, currently known as the Utica Zoological Society. This organization was later chartered by the State of New York as an educational institution. The first professional zoo director was hired in 1966.{{cite web|url=http://uticazoo.org/about/|title=History|work=Utica Zoo|access-date=October 25, 2013|archive-date=October 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030003703/http://uticazoo.org/about/|url-status=live}}
In 2000, a {{convert|15.5|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} metal sculpture of a watering can, originally built using city funds by request of Mayor Ed Hanna, was obtained by the zoo. This sculpture is listed by Guinness World Records as the world's largest watering can.{{cite web |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records-11000/largest-watering-can/ |title=Guinness World Records: Largest Watering Can |access-date=October 25, 2013 |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029183800/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records-11000/largest-watering-can/ |url-status=live }}
In 2004, amid financial issues, the zoo was forced to defer maintenance on its facilities, and consequently lost accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The zoo began pursuing re-accreditation in 2011 after paying off its debts. The white-handed gibbon exhibit was noted as particularly outdated. Between 2015 and 2018, the zoo held fundraising campaigns to rehabilitate the primate building, and received grants from the state and county.{{Cite web |agency=Associated Press |date=2016-09-29 |title=Utica Zoo unveils master plan to transform into regional tourist attraction |url=https://www.newyorkupstate.com/zoos/2016/09/utica_zoo_unveils_master_plan_to_transform_into_regional_tourist_attraction.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=newyorkupstate |language=en |archive-date=December 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211152953/http://www.newyorkupstate.com/zoos/2016/09/utica_zoo_unveils_master_plan_to_transform_into_regional_tourist_attraction.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Bostick |first=Carolyn |title=Utica Zoo gets $100,000 for primate building, program |url=https://www.timestelegram.com/story/news/2016/10/31/utica-zoo-gets-100-000/24598223007/ |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=Herkimer Times Telegram |language=en-US |archive-date=July 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719175537/https://www.timestelegram.com/story/news/2016/10/31/utica-zoo-gets-100-000/24598223007/ |url-status=live }} After several years of planning and restructuring, the Utica Zoo was re-accredited by AZA in 2018.{{cite web|title=Utica Zoo secures accreditation from Association of Zoos and Aquariums|work=Utica Observer-Dispatch|date=24 Sep 2018|url=https://www.uticaod.com/story/news/2018/09/25/utica-zoo-secures-accreditation-from/10157733007/|access-date=February 23, 2023|archive-date=February 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224000931/https://www.uticaod.com/story/news/2018/09/25/utica-zoo-secures-accreditation-from/10157733007/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Utica Zoo back in good standing |url=https://romesentinel.com/stories/utica-zoo-back-in-good-standing,66137 |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=Daily Sentinel |language=en |date=2018-09-25 |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224001012/https://romesentinel.com/stories/utica-zoo-back-in-good-standing,66137 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Sparking a Conversation |url=https://www.aza.org/connect-stories/stories/public-transparency-through-accrediation-process |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=Association of Zoos and Aquariums |language=en-us |first=Kate |last=Silver |date=2022-02-16 |archive-date=November 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129174450/https://www.aza.org/connect-stories/stories/public-transparency-through-accrediation-process |url-status=live }} Later in 2018, the first outdoor portion of the primate exhibit was finished.{{Cite web |last=Rondenelli |first=Jim |title=Construction Underway On Utica Zoo's New Primate Building |url=https://wibx950.com/construction-underway-on-utica-zoos-new-primate-building/ |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=WIBX 950 |date=August 2, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=March 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302005205/http://wibx950.com/construction-underway-on-utica-zoos-new-primate-building/ |url-status=live }}
In 2011, the zoo took in African lions named Bakari and Monni. Prior to their arrival, it had been 30 years since the zoo had lions.{{Cite web |last=Clukey |first=Keshia |title=Utica Zoo adds two lions to collection, opens for season Saturday |url=https://www.uticaod.com/story/news/2011/03/30/utica-zoo-adds-two-lions/44777812007/ |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=Utica Observer Dispatch |language=en-US |date=2011-03-30 |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224001107/https://www.uticaod.com/story/news/2011/03/30/utica-zoo-adds-two-lions/44777812007/ |url-status=live }} The two gave birth to three cubs, and were rehomed once the cubs reached maturity: {{as of|2022|lc=y}} the cubs still live at the Utica Zoo.{{Cite web |last=Clukey |first=Keshia |title=Lions Monni, Bakari no longer at Utica Zoo |url=https://www.uticaod.com/story/news/2012/12/04/lions-monni-bakari-no-longer/44771060007/ |access-date=2022-03-16 |website=Utica Observer Dispatch |language=en-US |date=2012-12-04 |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224001004/https://www.uticaod.com/story/news/2012/12/04/lions-monni-bakari-no-longer/44771060007/ |url-status=live }} In 2019, the zoo's white peacock Merlin was killed by a lion after it flew into their enclosure.{{Cite web |date=2019-06-20 |title=Lion kills beloved peacock that flew into its zoo enclosure |url=https://apnews.com/article/82724e4c92a1431abfb7772d4c66c277 |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=AP NEWS |language=en |archive-date=March 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315233603/https://apnews.com/article/82724e4c92a1431abfb7772d4c66c277 |url-status=live }}
The zoo's red panda couple gave birth to cubs in 2015, as part of the Species Survival Plan for the endangered red pandas.{{Cite web |last=Landau |first=Joel |title=New York state zoo welcomes birth of two Red Panda cubs |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/new-york-state-zoo-welcomes-birth-red-panda-cubs-article-1.2315747 |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=nydailynews.com |date=August 5, 2015 |archive-date=March 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315234000/https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/new-york-state-zoo-welcomes-birth-red-panda-cubs-article-1.2315747 |url-status=live }} In 2021, both parents died, one of a lung infection and one of a gastrointestinal impaction.{{Cite web |last=Zigrino |first=Kali |title=Utica Zoo's second red panda dies 2 months after his mate |url=https://www.wktv.com/community/utica-zoos-second-red-panda-dies-2-months-after-his-mate/article_d147520a-bfd2-5d29-b7e7-8f5e3775617b.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=WKTV NewsChannel2 |date=December 29, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=August 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831093835/https://www.wktv.com/community/utica-zoos-second-red-panda-dies-2-months-after-his-mate/article_d147520a-bfd2-5d29-b7e7-8f5e3775617b.html |url-status=live }}
In 2020, the Utica Zoo acquired the Beaversprite nature sanctuary in Fulton County, New York.{{Cite web |last=Bovee |first=Josh |date=2020-04-08 |title=Utica Zoo acquires Beaversprite Wildlife Sanctuary in Oppenheim |url=https://leaderherald.com/gloversville-local-news-johnstown-local-news/community-news/2020/04/utica-zoo-acquires-beaversprite-wildlife-sanctuary-in-oppenheim/ |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=The Gloversville Leader Herald |language=en-US |archive-date=April 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418222741/https://leaderherald.com/gloversville-local-news-johnstown-local-news/community-news/2020/04/utica-zoo-acquires-beaversprite-wildlife-sanctuary-in-oppenheim/ |url-status=live }}
In 2021 the zoo rehomed its California sea lions after determining the exhibit was too small for them to exercise freely.{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=H. Rose |title=Why the Utica Zoo is sending sea lions Munchkin and Porter to new homes |url=https://www.uticaod.com/story/news/local/2021/09/23/utica-zoo-finding-new-homes-california-sea-lions/5816313001/ |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=Utica Observer Dispatch |language=en-US |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224001000/https://www.uticaod.com/story/news/local/2021/09/23/utica-zoo-finding-new-homes-california-sea-lions/5816313001/ |url-status=live }}
A Hartmann's Mountain Zebra foal was born at the zoo in July 2022.{{Cite web |title=Utica Zoo presents Zara, its first baby zebra |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/news/2022/10/25/utica-zoo-welcomes-new-zebra-foal |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=spectrumlocalnews.com |language=en}}
In October 2022 zoo employees voted to unionize, and are now represented by the Civil Service Employees Association.{{Cite web |title=UPDATE: Lions have prides, beavers have colonies. Utica Zoo staff have a union. |url=https://www.uticaod.com/story/news/2022/10/19/utica-zoo-workers-to-vote-on-forming-union/69573319007/ |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=Utica Observer Dispatch |language=en-US|first=Amy Neff|last=Roth|date=2022-10-19}}
Conservation
The Utica Zoo has participated in in situ conservation and research projects for nearby populations of frosted elfins, Chittenango ovate amber snails, and turtles.{{cite web| url=http://uticazoo.org/conservation/ |title=Conservation|work=Utica Zoo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922114500/https://www.uticazoo.org/conservation/|archive-date=2021-09-22|url-status=dead}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{official|www.uticazoo.org}}
{{City of Utica, New York}}
{{Zoos of New York}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Zoos in New York (state)
Category:1914 establishments in New York (state)