Staten Island Zoo

In August 1933, the Staten Island Zoological Society was organized, and at the same time, the construction of a zoological park on the island-allocated 3.3- hectare area began . The zoo was designed in the Clarence T. Barrett Park area as part of the US Federal Government program .

The official opening of Staten Island Zoo took place on June 10, 1936 . He became the first zoological institution in the United States to devote his work exclusively to educational purposes.

Since the opening, the zoo’s specialization has been determined as a “ reptile zoo”. He was the first of the zoos to display all 32 species of rattlesnakes living in the USA; By the end of the 1960s , there was one of the most complete collections of rattlesnakes in the world (39 species).

Most of the credit for the development and specialization of the zoo belongs to Carl Frederick Kauffeld, curator of reptiles and director of the zoo. It was his attention and love for reptiles and amphibians, especially rattlesnakes, that brought international fame and fame to the collection of the zoo. Harold J. O'Connell, the organizer of the Staten Island Zoological Society, and Carol Stryker, the first director of the zoo who shared Koffeld’s passion for reptiles, became the main organizers and active promoters of the collection.

Staten Island Zoo was the first institution in the United States to employ a female veterinarian full-time. The employment of Dr. Patricia O'Connor in 1942 as a veterinarian became a historic event. She was both the co-founder and the first female president of the American Association of Veterinarians of Zoos , and was subsequently re-elected twice as president of the Association of Women Veterinarians of the United States.

Since the opening of the zoo, its employees and the collection have become an exemplary educational and regional center. Over the years, the city of New York received the "largest small zoo," serving to educate visitors and residents.

After the reconstruction of the zoo in 1969, the Children's Center was opened on its territory. Designed as a farm courtyard, the Children's Zoo collection is concentrated in the hands of the children themselves, where they can directly interact with animals. After reconstruction and completion of the construction of the children's center, the attendance of the park by couples, parents with young children and schoolchildren increased significantly.

In the 1980s, the Board of Trustees made commitments for the repair and reconstruction of the area; The Council’s publication, “Conversion Plans for the 1980s,” served as a project to restructure the zoo area. About $ 16 million was spent on repair, modernization and improvement of the exhibition exposition.

In 1988, the zoo was accredited by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums ( AZA ). A new development of the exhibition halls began; The main goal was to bring the living conditions of animals closer to the natural ones, in order to provide visitors with the opportunity to see birds and animals in almost wild habitats. The construction and expansion of exhibition facilities, their improvement and reconstruction are continuing at the present time.

Thanks to the effectiveness of the new exhibition halls, there are more opportunities to preserve and increase the collection of the zoo, and the quality of educational programs has increased, helping visitors better understand the life of animals in nature and their significance for humans.

The main goal of Staten Island Zoo is to disseminate zoology knowledge by demonstrating wildlife. Thanks to exhibition halls and educational programs, employees seek to expand visitors' knowledge and understanding of the vulnerability of nature and the problems that threaten it.

The Staten Island Zoo collection is represented by various representatives of the animal world, contained in specialized pavilions and in the open air. These include:

• animals - 129 specimens of 33 species;
• birds - 66 specimens of 25 species;
• reptiles - 177 specimens of 54 species;
• amphibians - 88 specimens of 16 species;
• fish - 186 specimens of 53 species;
• invertebrates - more than 326 specimens of 42 species.

The zoo is open 7 days a week from 10 to 16:45, except for Thanksgiving , Christmas and New Year.

Entrance fee is:

• $ 7 for adults (15 years and older);
• $ 5 for retirees (60 years and older);
• 4 dollars for children (from 3 to 14 years old);
• free entry for children no older than three years.

It is forbidden to bring or bring any pets with you.

• List of Zoological Parks

• The official website of Staten Island Zoo .
• Zoo on a city map .