Open Today: 9 A.M. - 5 P.M.
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For Over Fifty Years

Saving Wildlife and Wild Places

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What we do
The North Carolina Zoo protects wildlife and wild places and inspires people to join us in conserving the natural world.
Tickets
Hours
Maps
Events

Giraffe

Giraffa camelopardalis

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What's New at the Zoo

Something NEW and exciting is always happening at the world's largest natural habitat zoo. 

• Welcome Zoo Director Dr. Mark Penning

• Need a Map? Download the App!

• Save American Red Wolves

Watani
Dr. Mark Penning Named Director of North Carolina Zoo
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A hand holding a phone showing the home screen of the North Carolina Zoo app. The elephant habitat is in the background with two elephants, green trees, and a blue sunny sky.
North Carolina Zoo App
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A Red Wolf with a mix of brown and gray, fur stands in a forested landscape, looking alertly to its right. The animal has pointed ears and a bushy tail, and lush trees are visible in the background.
Save American Red Wolves
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Plan Your Visit
Today at the Zoo
Meet the Keeper

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Prairie Geyser
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Garden Friends Playground

Open daily

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Carousel

Open every day!

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Kidzone

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

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Acacia Station Giraffe Deck

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Weather Permitting

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Kaleidoscope Butterfly Garden

10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

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Treehouse Trek

10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

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A fuzzy brown otter with small, rounded ears, lanky body, and long tail, perches on a small rocky ledge next to a pond.
Connect with us
Instagram @NCZoo

Stay in touch with the Zoo! Follow us on social media for updates on everything from our wildlife conservation efforts to your favorite animals. Share your photos, stories, and videos with us as we celebrate 50 WILD years in 2024.

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Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
A Commitment to Excellence
Large group of Zoo Volunteers
Volunteer

There are many rewarding ways to volunteer your time at our park. Opportunities range from gardening to greeting to helping guests feed giraffes!

An aerial view of the Akiba Bridge, a long wooden bridge with colorful designs and a pergola in the middle that leads from the parking lot, through dense trees, over a lake and ending at the African entrance of the NC Zoo.
Land Acknowledgement

The state of North Carolina is situated on the ancestral homelands of many American Indian tribes who have lived in this place, cared for these lands, and traveled throughout the region for thousands of years. 

A woman with long dark hair, wearing a red shirt and seen from the back, holding a small child with curly hair on her hip, as they interact with a giraffe. The woman is holding a piece of green foliage which the giraffe is gently eating. The giraffe's spotted head and neck dominate the left side of the frame, and the scene takes place at a low wooden fence.

Outreach and Engagement

Our park serves and welcomes everyone, and it is our promise to value equity, respect, inclusivity, and kindness. Everyone can enjoy an unforgettable day trip here.