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.
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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. 

•  Canine Champions for Conservation

•  Air Hike Ropes Course

•  Kidzone

Dog Show jump

Canine Champions for Conservation

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Female on Air Hike ropes course

Air Hike Ropes Course

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

Kidzone

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Plan Your Visit
Today at the Zoo
Feeding Times

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Canine Champions for Conservation

Tuesday – Friday - 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Weekends/Holidays - 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.

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Garden Friends Playground

Open daily

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Air Hike Ropes Course

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

Last entry 3:00 p.m.

Weather Permitting

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Acacia Station Giraffe Deck

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Weather Permitting

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Treehouse Trek

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

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streamside-habitat-1
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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Celebrate Arbor Day by stepping outside and planting a tree today! 🌳💚🌲 Our dedicated team of arborists in the Horticulture Department is responsible for planting and managing the trees across our expansive 2,800+ acres of Zoo property. Their specialized skills and expertise are vital to the Zoo's success! Earlier this week, Zoo staff joined the Horticulture Department and Arbor Team to plant an impressive 💥700💥 trees.‼️ These trees will provide “browse” for the animals, meaning they are cultivated specifically to nourish and enrich their diets. While 700 trees may seem like a significant number (and it is!), we are expecting over 6,000 additional saplings to arrive at the Zoo for the browse garden in the coming week! 🤯 Happy Arbor Day! 💚
Ever seen the paper mâché enrichment that the animals will get? If you've followed us for a while, you probably have! They will often be filled with part of the animals’ diet or special treats. Our wonderful VOLUNTEERS make these by hand - every. single. one. of. them. ‼️ And they even take the time to paint them! 🎨 We thank all of our volunteers for their range of skills and support they give to us! You can join the fun and be a Zoo Volunteer! Fill out the application on our website if you're interested🤩
🌍 Happy Earth Day from all of us at the North Carolina Zoo! 🐾💚 Today, we're proud to celebrate our planet by spotlighting an initiative that's close to our hearts: AZA’s SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) programs. @zoos_aquariums Through SAFE, accredited zoos and aquariums like ours come together with scientists, wildlife experts, and communities around the globe to protect endangered species and their habitats. These programs focus on real-time conservation efforts—from protecting African vultures in the wild🪶 to supporting breeding programs for American red wolves 🐺 right here in North Carolina. The North Carolina Zoo is involved in the following SAFE Programs: 🦁 Lion 🪶 African Vulture 🐺 American Red Wolf 🦏 Black Rhinoceros 🌿 Chimpanzee 🐒 Colobus Monkey 🐍 Eastern Indigo Snake 🦍 Gorilla 🐦‍⬛ North American Songbird 🦒 Giraffe 🦋 North American Monarch Why does it matter? Because extinction isn’t just about losing a species—it’s about losing the balance of entire ecosystems. SAFE empowers us to take action before it’s too late. ⏰ Every visit, donation, or share helps us keep the wild alive. 🌿 Your ticket purchase to the North Carolina Zoo directly supports wildlife conservation.📍❤️
It is Volunteer Appreciation Week! 🎉 Here at the North Carolina Zoo, our volunteers are essential to keeping the zoo running successfully. 🦁 In 2024, they served an incredible total of 39,230 hours! ⏰ Whether you participated in a single day of service, an internship, or are part of the volunteer team, we appreciate and are truly thankful for you! 💚
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!