By Barbara Arnstein
This year the Buffalo Zoo is celebrating its 150th anniversary, and there are many special events scheduled throughout the year. On April Saturday, 26th, from 10am-3pm, visitors can join in the fun at “Party for the Planet”, which includes Animal Ambassador* meet and greets, talks by animal keepers and more. The “Buffalo Birthday Bash Presented by Wegman’s”, on Saturday, May 31st, features animal encounters, family-friendly activities, birthday treats and historical exhibit highlights. On June 18th, adult visitors can enjoy “Wines in the Wild”, featuring sampling from excellent regional wineries, breweries and restaurants. There will be musical entertainment and Animal Ambassadors will appear.
“Buffalove Community Day”, on July 19th, will showcase local vendors. The big event on July 26th is “Art Gone Wild”, which includes performing artists, art demonstrations, hands-on activities, art auctions, and more. “Zoomagination”, the popular, colorful display highlighting Asian culture that features many larger-than-life animal figures will take place in August and September. The animals will include dinosaurs, North American animals and mythical animals, and include 37 all-new lantern displays and interactive elements.
The Buffalo Zoo is the second-most popular attraction in Western New York, after Niagara Falls. It has pioneered innovative exhibit design elements, such as the roof of its “M&T Rainforest Falls Building”. This roof enables the creatures in the building to experience more natural light, and the breakthrough inspired other zoos to do the same with some of their exhibits. In the 30’s and 40’s, the zoo did ground-breaking work relating to the care of reptiles and amphibians, led by its Director/Curator, Marlin Perkins. He is remembered as the host of the original run of the popular television show, “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom”, on which he interacted with animals and educated viewers about wildlife from 1963 to 1985. “Wild Kingdom” won Emmy Awards for “Outstanding Program Achievement” in 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1969.
The zoo animals most popular with visitors include the snow leopard, giraffes, gorillas, tiger, ocelot, sea lions, and zebras. There are many more creatures there to see, including a giant anteater, howler monkeys, vampire bats, and a large assortment of birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and even tarantulas. Kids especially enjoy the farm area, with sheep, goats, chickens and other farm animals, and the carousel. The zoo’s focus on education extends to the many fascinating facts about its inhabitants on its website, like this one: “Costa Rican Curly-Haired Tarantulas can flick the hairs from their bodies at potential predators”.
The Buffalo Zoo is on 23 and a half acres of beautiful Delaware Park, located at 300 Parkside Avenue, in Buffalo, NY. It is open almost every day of the year, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas, from 10am-4pm. The Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System offers an Adventure Pass that allows (up to) two adults and two children visiting the Buffalo Zoo together to pay only for the adults’ tickets. To use it, you must call ahead, to (716) 995-6156, pay for the tickets before your visit, and mention that you’re using the pass. It can be checked out for a week. The Buffalo Zoo is also partnering with M&T bank to offer Free Third Thursdays. Admission will be free on six Thursdays this year and three Thursdays next year. Visitors can experience the zoo at no cost on April 17, May 15, Sept. 18, Oct. 16, Nov. 20 and Dec. 18, 2025, and Jan. 15, Feb. 19 and March 19, 2026. You must register online at buffalozoo.org the Monday of the week you wish to go and bring your e-ticket with you. (This week is already “sold out”.) The prices for zoo memberships, the most economical way to visit the zoo, depend on the size of your family. Every adult membership is $50, while seniors’ memberships cost $36. The first two children’s memberships are $30 each, and each additional child’s membership costs $25. For more information, go to buffalozoo.org, or call (716) 837-3900.
(*Animal Ambassadors are animals that participate in shows and programs, at the zoo and other places, to educate people about them.)