Open Today: 9 A.M. - 4 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.
Group 53
Tickets
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Hours
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Maps
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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. 

•  Miraculous White Deer

•  Zoo Earns Botanical Garden Accreditation

•  Jingle in the Jungle

•  Ostrich

Closeup of a white deer and a brown deer laying side by side in front of a large log in the woods at the North Carolina Zoo

The Miraculous White Deer of the North Carolina Zoo

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A close-up of a colorful exotic butterfly for Butterfly Garden.

North Carolina Zoo Earns Botanical Garden Accreditation

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Winter guests entering the Zoo

Jingle in the Jungle

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An ostrich out in the Forest Edge habitat.

Ostrich

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Plan Your Visit
Today at the Zoo
Feeding Times

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Garden Friends Playground

Open daily

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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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🍂Thank you Fall!🍂 This Fall season has been bustling with activity, featuring our annual BOO at the Zoo, a special visit from PBS Kids: Rootle at the Zoo, Pumpkin Palooza, and our first Beloved Pet Ofrenda! Our fall festivities truly encompassed a little but of everything. 💛 We are immensely grateful for the unwavering support from our staff, volunteers, and, of course, our guests! None of these events would be possible without your continued support and visits to our Zoo! 🧡
Remember when Amir, Jabari and Cleo were teeny tiny bebes?! We came across some old footage from their kitten days! 😻 #throwbackthursday
American Indian Heritage Month is celebrated annually each November to honor the rich cultural heritage, contributions, and achievements of American Indian people. The North Carolina Zoo is situated on the ancestral homelands of many American Indian tribes who lived, cared for, and traveled through the region for thousands of years. We honor and acknowledge them as the first stewards of this land. We respectfully acknowledge the Coharie, Eastern Band of Cherokee, Haliwa-Saponi, Lumbee, Meherrin, Occaneechi Band of the Saponi, Sappony, and Waccamaw Siouan and honor the enduring presence, vibrance, and diversity of contemporary Indigenous communities. The plaque pictured can be found by the Prairie habitat at the Zoo, where the bison and elk live, both symbolic animals to indigenous peoples. The state of North Carolina honors its American Indian citizens by issuing a proclamation from the Governor's Office and holding an annual American Indian Heritage Celebration at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh. #AmericanIndianHeritageMonth
Up close with polar bear, Anana! 👀 Anana, like most polar bears, has brown eyes and a clear “inner” eye-lid, called the nictitating membrane which helps her see underwater. But if you look closer, you can see light blue rings in her eyes! 🩵 Why does she have these? No one can really say for sure! It is thought that the blue rings are actually an optical illusion caused by the way the light reflects off of the irises against the white fur surrounding their eyes. This effect is accentuated when she is underwater, providing the best time to see it up close!
Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
A Commitment to Excellence
Five Zoo volunteers posing for the camera in Africa Plaza.

Volunteer

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

Kidzone play area, families, play, spring, zoo, outdoors, adventure, accessible

Kidzone

Nature Play Area for families to explore, get wet, get muddy, meet Animal Ambassadors, build a survival shelter, walk the Treetop Trail and more! Our play areas feature a stream, a fort making zone, a mud cafe, and more. Available year-round and free with admission.

 

Zoo Tours

Zoo Tours: Family Activities for All

Join a behind-the-scenes tour of our animal habitats and have a close animal encounter with the North Carolina Zoo Society!