Farewell, Katya

The Buffalo Zoo is saddened to report the death of one of its Eurasian lynx, Katya.

The Zoo's veterinary staff determined that Katya was suffering from age-related organ failure. The 16-year-old lynx was humanely euthanized on March 25.

Kayta arrived at the Buffalo Zoo long with her sister, Larissa, in 2008. The pair were moved to the Zoo's brand new lynx exhibit in Arctic Edge, presented by TOPS, last fall.

Well-loved by Zoo visitors and staff alike, Katya will be truly missed. Larissa will remain on exhibit in Arctic Edge.

Choose a Name for the Baby Gorilla!

The Buffalo Zoo is inviting the community to help choose a name for the new baby gorilla.

The baby was born on Sunday, January 10 at 11:04 p.m. to mother, 18-year-old Sydney, and father, 28-year-old Koga. Sydney has displayed strong maternal instincts and is taking great care of the troop’s latest addition.

Last week, the Zoo’s gorilla keepers were able to determine that the baby is a boy. They have narrowed a long list of possible names down to their top three choices, and are now asking the Western New York community to assist with the final decision!

The Zoo will announce the winning name during their “APEril” Zooper Saturday event on April 2, 2016.

You can visit the newest baby along with the rest of the gorilla troop every day in the Zoo’s gorilla house.

Create your own user feedback survey

Two Down for International Polar Bear Day!

by giraffe keeper, Vicki Hodge

Hi all! February 27 is International Polar Bear Day. A few years ago, the Buffalo Zoo launched an initiative for local schools to help celebrate the day, and do some conservation for polar bears at the same time. We called it Bundle up for Polar Bears! The challenge was to raise awareness about climate change which affects polar bears, by reducing carbon emissions through the simple act of lowering the thermostat a few degrees. If every school in Western New York participated, the combined amount would be significant. Polar Bears International liked our idea so much that they adopted it and changed the name to the Thermostat Challenge which they now do on the every International Polar Bear Day!

We want to do our part to help the cause, so here is what were asking everyone to do. Along with our schools and the Zoo, you can turn the heat down 1 or 2 degrees at home or in your work place this Saturday, February 27. For example, we will turn the heat down from 65°F to 63°F in the giraffe house and other places throughout the Zoo.

All you need to do to take part is set your thermostat down and put on an extra sweater or sweat shirt for the day. You probably won't even notice the difference in temperature. It's easy! Then you can say you helped save the polar bears and their sea ice! If that is not incentive enough, on average if you turn back your heat 2 degrees for 8 hours, you can save 1% on your fuel usage and that means more $$$$ in your pocket!

Help Us Say Goodbye to the Gray Wolves

The Buffalo Zoo’s gray wolves will leave this week.

The Zoo’s pair of wolves, who reside in the Arctic Edge exhibit, presented by Tops Friendly Markets, will leave for their new home on Wednesday.

After careful consideration, Zoo officials have decided to relocate siblings Timber and Willow. The young pair, who will be two in April, arrived to the Buffalo Zoo in September 2015 from the New York State Zoo at Thompson Park in Watertown, N.Y. Their arrival was part of the Buffalo Zoo’s opening of its newest signature exhibit, Arctic Edge, where the two wolves were to have found their permanent home.

Keeper staff has kept a close eye on the pair since their arrival, and observed that the wolves were not settling into their new habitat as expected. Continued observations over the six-month period led to the decision to seek an alternate arrangement. They will be transported to another accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) that offers a different enclosure configuration, and may appeal better to the wolves’ juvenile energy and shy behavioral characteristics.

“We will always keep the best interests of the animals in mind,” said Buffalo Zoo President & CEO, Donna Fernandes, Ph.D. “We love the wolves, and like the public, we have enjoyed having them here, but we recognized the difficulties they were having and feel we have made the best choice for their overall comfort and well-being.”

In the spring, modifications will be made to the former wolf enclosure in Arctic Edge to welcome arctic fox. Smaller, more curious and social, it is anticipated that the arctic fox will be a fitting addition to the exhibit. Arctic fox are native to the regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Acquisition details are still being finalized and will be shared with the public when more information becomes available.

Buffalo Zoo Will Offer Admission Discount During February

The Buffalo Zoo has partnered with First Niagara Bank to offer a reduced admission rate during the month of February.

From February 1 through 29, admission to the Zoo will cost only $5 per person (admission for members is always free). The Zoo is calling the promotion “Polar Bear Days” in recognition of International Polar Bear Day, which is celebrated on February 27.

The Buffalo Zoo will celebrate International Polar Bear Day on February 27 by issuing a “thermostat challenge.” In order to raise awareness about climate change, the Zoo will encourage the community to reduce carbon emissions by turning their thermostats down a few degrees. This is the kind of small change that can have a big impact on climate change, and help to save polar bears in the wild.

“First Niagara is proud to partner with the Buffalo Zoo and support their efforts to enhance conservation, education and environmental initiatives in our community,” said Scott Fisher, First Niagara Managing Director of Retail Channels. “We encourage the public to visit the Zoo in the month of February and see all that the Zoo has to offer.”

The Polar Bear Days admission discount will encourage the community to enjoy the Zoo’s new exhibit, Arctic Edge, presented by Tops Friendly Markets, in colder weather; and to observe the animals, including the popular polar bears, in the snow.

For more information about Zoo’s Polar Bear Days promotion, visit the Zoo’s Facebook page.

The promotion is made possible through generous support from First Niagara Bank.

Celebrate Surapa's Birthday with us This Saturday!

The Buffalo Zoo will celebrate the 33rd birthday of Surapa the elephant!

The special birthday event will take place this Saturday, January 16 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and will be free with regular Zoo admission.

There will be a variety of family-friendly activities in and around the Zoo’s elephant barn near the main entrance. Visitors will be able sign up for encounters with the birthday girl, watch her receive birthday gifts, and more. Elephant art work will be available for purchase, and elephant artifacts will be on display in the gorilla vestibule.

The complete schedule follows:

• 11 a.m. – Birthday presents for Surapa at the elephant barn
• 11:30 a.m. Elephant keeper talk 
• 1:30 p.m. – Elephant encounter (visitors may sign up at the main entrance)
• (All day - Elephant painting sessions and training sessions!)

Surapa is an Asian elephant. Zoo officials estimate that she was born in January of 1983.

Activities are subject to change due to weather conditions or animal concerns.

Buffalo Zoo Welcomes First Baby of 2016: A Gorilla

The Buffalo Zoo is thrilled to announce the birth of a baby western lowland gorilla.

The baby was born on Sunday, January 10 at 11:04 p.m. to mother, 18-year-old Sydney, and father, 28-year-old Koga. Sydney has displayed strong maternal instincts and is taking great care of the troop’s latest addition. Keepers have not been able to get close enough to the baby to determine its gender. Both mother and baby are doing well.

The baby will join the gorilla troop, including the parents, big sister Amari, half sister Nyah, and Nyah’s mother, Lily. During this sensitive time, the gorillas will be given access to their interior holding areas, should they desire more privacy. Visitors are advised that the gorillas may not always be visible, but are encouraged to check back often!

During Sydney’s pregnancy, the keeper staff at the Buffalo Zoo was able to monitor the baby’s growth using ultrasound technology. She had been trained to present her abdomen to keepers and remain calm during the ultrasound process, so she did not need to be anesthetized in order to obtain images of the fetus

The gestation period of gorillas is eight and a half months. Gorillas begin walking when they are between three and six months of age, and are weaned around three years of age.

Western lowland gorillas are found in the lowland tropical forests of central Africa. The species is critically endangered due to loss of habitat as well as the bush meat trade.

New Event "Arctic White Out" Will Replace Polar Bites

Tickets are now available for “Arctic White Out,” a brand new wintertime fundraiser benefiting the Buffalo Zoo, presented by Inspire Dental Group.

The inaugural Arctic White Out will take place at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center on Thursday, February 18 from 6 p.m – 9 p.m. The cocktail party-style event will replace the long-running “Polar Bites” sampling event.

“There are so many sampling-style fundraiser events in Buffalo now, and we really wanted to change things up and offer something a little more unique,” said the Zoo’s events manager, Katie Jordan. “We’ve already received lots of positive feedback from local companies and vendors who want to participate. We think it’s going to be a popular addition to the Zoo’s schedule of events.”

Arctic White Out will be an all white (attire) cocktail party featuring the best in local winter indulgences. There will be spirit tastings and a signature cocktail from local vodka brand 1812, a Tom & Jerry station, ice wine samplings from Chateau des Charmes, visits from Zoo animals, dancing, auctions, an indoor snow fall, and more winter-themed fun.

Tickets to the event are $50 and include a complimentary welcome cocktail, catered hors d'oeuvres, and parking. The ticket price will increase to $60 the day of the event. A limited number of VIP tickets will be available for $100 each, which include a reserved lounge area and an open bar.

Purchase your tickets online or by calling (716) 995-6133.
Attendees must be 21 or older.

The Buffalo Zoo thanks Arctic White Out sponsors Inspire Dental Group, Try-It Distributing, MASH Urgent Care, M&T Bank, and 1812 Vodka.

Warm Up with the Cold-Blooded This Saturday!

The Buffalo Zoo will hold a “Warm Up with the Cold-Blooded” event on Saturday.

Families looking for a unique wintertime experience with the kids this weekend can get out of the cold and enjoy some fun at the Zoo. The special animal event will take place in the Zoo’s historic reptile house, sponsored by Geico. Programming and activities will run from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 9 and will feature some of the Zoo’s reptiles and amphibians. The event is free with regular Zoo admission. A full schedule of activities follows.

•  11 a.m. - 4 p.m – Raffles, crafts, face painting, bake sale, and hot chocolate 
• (while supplies last)
• 11 a.m. – Snake handling demonstration and photo op (featuring Jamaican boa)
• 11:30 a.m. – Venomous and non-venomous snake feedings
• 12 p.m. – Get your picture taken with SAM the hellbender and the Geico Gecko
• 12:30 p.m. – Amphibian keeper talk and up-close encounter (featuring Puerto Rican crested toads and Panamanian golden frogs)
• 1 p.m. – Meet the Behind-the-Scenes Reptile House babies!
• 1:30 p.m. – Guess the weight contest (animal art prize)
• 2 p.m. – Heloderm feeding and demo (featuring beaded lizards and gila monster)
• 2:30 p.m. – Reptile keeper talk, encounter, and photo op
• 3 p.m. – Raffle winners announced (need not be present to win)
• 3:30 p.m. – Hellbender keeper talk and demonstration

Some of the animal artwork you could win at Warm Up with the Cold Blooded

Buffalo Zoo to Receive Funds Raised for Giraffe Structure

The Buffalo Zoo will receive funds raised from a raffle campaign on New Years Eve during a check presentation ceremony and name drawing to determine the winner of a new car.

The “Share a Little Shade” raffle campaign was organized and managed by Community Papers of Western New York (CPOWNY). The Zoo was approached by CPOWNY early in 2015 to launch a campaign to raise $25,000 needed for a shade structure for the giraffe yard.

Throughout 2015, CPOWNY readers and members of the Western New York community purchased raffle tickets for the chance to win a one-year lease from Towne MINI, or $5,000 cash. A giraffe-wrapped MINI Cooper made multiple appearances at the Zoo, as well as taking center stage at regional events throughout the year to draw participants for the raffle. The raffle entries were in the thousands and exceeded the $25,000 goal.  The structure will be installed in the Zoo’s giraffe yard in 2016.

The winning name will be drawn at Towne MINI (8240 Main St.) in Williamsville on Thursday, December 31 at 10:30 a.m. Representatives from the Zoo will be present for the event and presented with a check for the funds raised. The winner will also be announced via the Zoo’s social media platforms.

“The fundraising efforts for this project would not have been successful without the help of CPOWNY and their readers,” said Buffalo Zoo President & CEO Donna M. Fernandes, PhD. “We are so very grateful to them as well as Towne MINI, Lamar Advertising, and Paula’s Donuts. Their tireless efforts helped to raise the funds we needed for this important project.”

The structure is an improvement recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation; education; science; and recreation, by means of an accreditation process every five years.

Tree Lighting (and Reduced Admission) This Saturday!

The Buffalo Zoo will offer reduced admission rates for its first ever holiday tree lighting event.

The Zoo’s holiday tree lighting event will take place on Saturday, December 5. Guests who enter the Zoo after 3 p.m. that day will receive a reduced admission rate of $5 per person. (Free for members!)

The Zoo’s first ever tree lighting event will feature carol singers, hot cocoa, a visit from Santa, and more seasonal fun, all leading up to the tree lighting at 5 p.m.

For more information about the Zoo’s holiday tree lighting event, call (716) 995-6133.

Celebrate World Anteater Day on Saturday!

Looking for something fun to do with the family this weekend? Join us as we celebrate World Anteater Day!

Stop by the M&T Bank Rainforest Falls exhibit for special anteater-themed activities from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Sunday, November 29.

Schedule of Activities

(in M&T Bank Rainforest Falls exhibit)

• 11 a.m. - Anteater enrichment demonstration and keeper talk
• 12 p.m. - Anteater feeding and keeper talk 
• 12:30 p.m. - Story time in the lobby!
• 1 p.m. - Anteater enrichment demonstration and keeper talk

Cyber Monday Sale on Zoo Memberships

The Buffalo Zoo will offer a discount on membership purchases during a Cyber Monday sale event, just in time for the holidays.

The sale will take place on Monday, November 30 from 12:00 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. A discount of $20 will be given on purchases of all membership levels during the sale, for new members only. The discount will be applied to any memberships purchased on the Zoo’s website, using discount code CM15.

All membership levels include:

• FREE admission to the Zoo
• FREE subscription to ZooLog
• Two guest passes 
• One parking voucher
• Membership window decal
• Discount at the Zootique gift shop
• Reduced or free admission at over 100 zoos and aquariums
• Discounts on birthday parties at the Zoo
• Special MEMBERS ONLY events
• Bonus benefits at area businesses

The Buffalo Zoo Membership Levels Are: 

$40  $20 -  Individual
Covers only the person whose name appears on the card.

$55  $35 - Individual PLUS
Covers only the person whose name appears on the card.
Includes five parking vouchers and ten ride tickets.
Includes one guest per Zoo visit.

$60 $40 - Grandparents
Covers up to two grandparents and up to five grandchildren on each visit.

$70 $50 - Grandparents PLUS
Covers up to two grandparents and up to five grandchildren on each visit.
Includes five parking vouchers and ten ride tickets.
Includes one guest per Zoo visit.

$75 $55 - Family
Covers up to two adults and their children (to 21 years of age) residing in the household.

$90 $70 - Family PLUS
Covers up to two adults and their children (to 21 years of age) residing in the household. Includes five parking vouchers and ten ride tickets.
Includes one guest per Zoo visit.

$135 $115 - Supporting
Cover up to two adults and their children (to 21 years of age) residing in the household. Includes five parking vouchers and ten ride tickets.
Includes two guests per Zoo visit, PLUS a Zoo tote bag and recognition in the Annual Report.

$250 $230 - Sponsor
Same as Supporting, PLUS Zoo note paper, and an invitation to the Thank You Reception.


For more information about the Zoo’s Cyber Monday membership sale, email zoomem@buffalozoo.org, call the membership office at (716) 995-6131, or CLICK HERE.

Buffalo Zoo Unveils Plastic Bag Polar Bear Sculpture

The Buffalo Zoo has installed a new feature in the Arctic Edge exhibit.

A sculpture of a polar bear named Terra was added to the Zoo’s new Arctic Edge exhibit. The installation was constructed out of over 1,500 plastic shopping bags, the amount used by the average American family of four in one year.

“One of the main goals of the new Arctic Edge exhibit is to educate people about environmental conservation, and why protecting the environment is important for the survival of not just polar bears, but all species,” said the Zoo’s curator of education, Tiffany Vanderwerf. “A lot of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere when plastic bags are produced, and that carbon dioxide is causing the earth’s sea ice to melt. Polar bears and other Arctic species depend on sea ice for survival. We hope that this sculpture will serve as a visual reminder for families that the actions they take at home can have a big impact on the natural environment, and the survival of these animals.”

Buffalo Zoo staff and volunteers spent months collecting the bags and constructing the sculpture. It will be on display near the Arctic Edge Interpretive Center.

Megan Monaco, a keeper who works closely with the polar bears and who spearheaded the effort to create the sculpture said, “Our amazing docents and volunteers did a fantastic job and worked incredibly hard on this project, and I'm so thankful for all they did to help me with it.

“We wanted to show visitors just what a large impact their actions can have on the natural world. This is the amount of bags that just one family uses in a year, and when you see it all together, you realize just how much plastic that is. These bags don’t go away once they are thrown out; they just sit in land fills and can end up in our waterways and can harm wild animals. We hope this will encourage our visitors to reuse plastic bags whenever they can, and to make the switch over to reusable shopping bags, to help protect not just polar bears, but all animals and our entire planet.”

The Arctic Edge, presented by Tops Friend Markets, is open during regular Zoo hours, and free to visit with regular Zoo admission. For more information, visit www.buffalozoo.org or call (716) 837-3900.

                                                                                               

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A Fundraiser with Alex & Ani Buffalo

Join us on Monday, November 9 for a fun shopping experience to benefit the Buffalo Zoo. 15% of any purchase made in the store during the event will help the Zoo purchase auction items for the Zoo's brand new fundraising event, Arctic Whiteout. You can even purchase items and give them directly to the Zoo for the auction. We hope to see you there!

Come Play in Our New Nature Playground!

We've opened a brand new nature playground area for visitors!

The playground, which is located within the Zoo’s Delta Sonic Heritage Farm exhibit, is intended to encourage “nature play” among child visitors. Nature play is unstructured childhood play in wild areas. Studies show that there are many positive impacts of such play time on a child's social, emotional, intellectual, and physical well-being.

“It is meant as a space for kids to figure out how they want to use the natural elements for unstructured play time,” said the Zoo’s Education Curator, Tiffany Vanderwerf. “As a conservation organization, the Buffalo Zoo wants to encourage nature play because studies also indicate that play in nature is the most common influence on the development of conservation values and behaviors. We LOVE that! It is right in line with our mission. We're sure it will be super popular. Kids and parents asked us about the area every day while it was being built and couldn't wait to come back to try it out.”

The new nature playground features a hollow log for crawling, a sand dig pit, log balance beams, a log stepping garden, and log tables and chairs for resting and quiet play. Most of the materials were sourced locally from fallen trees at the Zoo, or locations nearby. The giant hollow log was donated by Tree Care of New York.

The play space was made possible through a grant from Nature Play Begins at Your Zoo & Aquarium, a collaboration between the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and The Walt Disney Company to provide financial, logistical, and creative support to zoos and aquariums seeking to increase or enhance family-centered nature experiences in their communities.

The nature playground is free with regular Zoo admission.

Shop for the Zoo Animals at Tops Friendly Markets

Help fill the pantry for the Buffalo Zoo’s animals this fall and winter! On Saturday, August 15, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., shoppers at participating Tops Friendly Markets locations will have the opportunity to purchase an extra gift for the Zoo to help keep the animals happy and healthy.

After selecting items from the Zoo’s grocery wish list, which will be provided at each location, shoppers can leave their gift with a Zoo volunteer in the store lobby. All of these generous donations will then be used as special enrichment treats to promote the animals’ natural behaviors and to stimulate them physically and mentally.

Requested grocery items include: whole grain, low sugar cereals; dog biscuits (all sizes); canned dog food, canned cat food, extracts and spices; peanut butter; plastic toys (Frisbees and balls); rawhide chews; soft cat treats; as well as a variety of other items. Participating Tops locations include:

• TOPS Friendly Markets 2101 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo  NY  14207
• TOPS Friendly Markets S 6150 South Park Ave. Hamburg NY 14075
• TOPS Friendly Markets 1740 Sheridan Dr. Buffalo  NY  14223
• TOPS Friendly Markets 2351 Maple Rd. Williamsville  NY  14221

With an annual grocery bill of $250,000, providing food and treats for more than 1,200 animals at the Zoo is a tremendous task. The Buffalo Zoo wishes to thank shoppers in advance for helping the animals and supporting Tops Friendly Markets, one of the Zoo’s most generous sponsors!

For more information about the Zoo’s annual adoption program, please call (716) 995-6131 or visit us online!

Zoo Adds Downtown Stops for Zoofari Shuttle Service

The Buffalo Zoo has added two downtown stops to the Zoofari shuttle service schedule to tap into the Buffalo tourism market.

Last month, the Zoo announced partnerships with Medaille College and Nichols School to make ancillary parking lots available for patrons. The Zoo also unveiled a new Zoofari shuttle bus which will run between the Medaille lot and the Zoo’s main entrance.

In addition to the Medaille parking lot to manage overflow parking, the shuttle will now make morning and afternoon pick-ups at the Hilton Garden Inn Buffalo in Lafayette Square, and the Hyatt Regency at Fountain Plaza. Zoo officials hope that these two stops will be accessible to tourists staying at many of downtown’s most popular hotels.

“Tourism in Buffalo is expanding rapidly,” noted the Zoo’s marketing manager, Todd Geise. “We want to be a part of that expansion and excitement. We’re adding shuttle stops downtown for tourists who are looking for a nice way to spend an afternoon in Buffalo with their families, in addition to whatever else has brought them to visit our city.”

The Zoo has also made Zoo admission tickets available for purchase at hotels including the Hilton Garden Inn, Comfort Suites, Embassy Suites, Courtyard Mariott, Hyatt Regency, and the Hampton Inn.

The Zoofari Shuttle runs Friday through Sunday. A complete schedule for the Zoofari Shuttle follows.

For additional information about parking options at the Zoo, or the Zoofari schedule, visit www.buffalozoo.org or the Zoo’s Facebook page.

Time	Location		Time	Location
10:15	Hilton Garden Inn		2:00	Zoo
10:20	Hyatt Regency		2:10	Medaille
10:40	Zoo		2:20	Zoo
11:00	Medaille		2:30	Medaille
11:10	Zoo		2:40	Zoo
11:20	Medaille		2:50	Medaille
11:30	Zoo		3:00	Zoo
11:40	Medaille		3:10	Medaille
11:50	Zoo		3:20	Zoo
12:00	Medaille		3:30	Medaille
12:10	Zoo		3:40	Zoo
12:20	Medaille		3:50	Medaille
12:40	Zoo		4:00	Zoo
12:50	Medaille		4:10	Medaille
1:00	Zoo		4:20	Zoo
1:10	Medaille		4:30	Medaille Drop-off FINAL
1:20	Zoo		4:40	Zoo FINAL
1:40	Hilton Garden Inn		4:55	Hilton Garden Inn
1:45	Hyatt Regency		5:00	Hyatt Regency

Help Buy the Animals Lunch!

The Buffalo Zoo invites patrons to support the animals by buying them lunch.

The Buffalo Zoo has an annual grocery bill over $250,000 to feed over 1,400 animal
residents. During the month of July, Zoo visitors will have the opportunity to help cover that cost and “buy the animals lunch!”

Throughout the month of July, Zoo visitors can choose to add $1 to their Zoo admission, food, gift shop, or membership purchases. All proceeds will benefit the Adopt-an-Animal program and will be used to purchase food for the Zoo’s animal residents.

In addition to the “Buy the Animals Lunch” summer campaign, animal adoptions are
available year-round. Several adoption levels, starting at $25 with corresponding benefits are available. Participants can choose their own favorite animal to support or purchase a gift adoption to help make a difference.

For more information about the Zoo’s adoption program, please call (716) 995-6131 or visit the Zoo online.

Stay Late on Fridays in July & August

The Buffalo Zoo will offer extended hours every Friday in July and August for our Ferocious Fridays series.

During Ferocious Fridays, admission gates will remain open until 7:30 p.m. every Friday in July and August. Visitors and their families can remain on grounds until 8:30 p.m. to enjoy the Zoo and observe the animals during the evening hours.

First Niagara customers will receive a discount admission price of $5 per person after 3 p.m. when they present their First Niagara Bank debit or credit card at the admission gates. Discount coupons for all Zoo visitors are available in select WNY print publications.

Ferocious Fridays at the Buffalo Zoo are presented by First Niagara.