All guests who come to the Zoo during the month of January can enjoy a hot beverage while they explore, on us!
Show proof of admission (receipt or Member card) at Eagle’s Landing Cafe and enjoy hot coffee or hot chocolate.Limit 1 per guest.Available 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.
John is a young philanthropist in the Rochester community.
At only 3 years old, John is learning the importance of giving to the community. Early this fall, John came to the Zoo to make a donation of $.75 (his entire allowance for the month) to the elephants, his favorite animal.
While $.75 may not seem like much, it meant the world to us, and it meant a lot to John. His parents are looking to build strong values in John by having him conduct acts of volunteerism throughout the community each month. John chose the Zoo because he loves the elephants here, and he loves the Zoo.
John and his family are members who visit often. When John was even younger, they used the Zoo to help build his vocabulary. They have attended many Book & Beast programs and are looking forward to being able to participate in more Education programs now that John is older. Their favorite time to visit the Zoo is in the winter, rather than the summer, since the animals are out more and they can speak to the Zoo Keepers more readily.
The Zoo will be closed on December 25 for the Christmas holiday and on January 1 for the New Year’s Day holiday.December 26 through December 31, the Zoo will be open during regular hours, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (grounds close at 4 p.m.).PLAN A VISIT
Enriching the lives of the animals at Seneca Park Zoo is a key focus of keeper staff here at the Zoo. It is a crucial part of our day to make sure that all the animals in our care are stimulated and encouraged to interact with their environment. Enrichment can be anything that the animal experiences that is out of the normal daily routine. It can provide them with a new scent, a new object to investigate, or an opportunity to engage in their natural behaviors.
For example, orangutans are forage feeders, so they spend their days searching around for food to eat in their natural range. By giving the orangutans at the Zoo different food items that they have to search for, we encourage them to exhibit the natural behavior of foraging. Similarly, hiding food treats for the tigers encourages them to sniff out their food. We offer new enrichment items to our animals daily and try to challenge them every day.Seneca Park Zoo animal care staff are very excited to share the search for new enrichment items with all of the Zoo’s guests! With the first ever Animal Enrichment Tree, we are giving all of you an opportunity to help us provide enrichment to your favorite animals. The enrichment tree is loaded with tags, each bearing an animal’s name and an item that would make a great enrichment piece. If you are interested in giving an animal an item, you take the tag and return it to the Zoo along with the item!
Listed below are some of the items that could be put to great use as animal enrichment this holiday season. Our animals love having new items to explore, and we are looking forward to a new year of exploration and fun!– Robin English, Zoologist
Genny C – Mr. Bubble bubble bath
Lilac – Quaker Oats oatmeal
Moki – Pretzels
Chana – Shower curtain liner
Chester – orange Home Depot buckets
Zuri – Cumin spice
Asha – allspice
Mansion – Large appliance boxes
Ursula – Acini-di-Pepe pasta
Pimiento – Bags of Goya beans
Pearl – Mung Beans
Pepperella – boxes
Sabina – Mr. Bubble
Olive Oil – sheets
Livella – blankets
Kalamata – orzo pasta
Jefferson – shelled nuts
Pico – rice noodle
Samson – hats
Peter and Paul – Maize corn
Gretzky – large appliance box
Bianca – Fleece Blanket
Aurora – Piñata
Bella – coffee filters
Denda – large leaf bags
Kumang – tissue paper packs
All – Roll of Trimaco Brown All Purpose Masking Paper from Home Depot
Pied Tamarins Peanut Butter Pie and Thomas– kabob food feeders
Golden Lion Tamarins Shauna and Tolo – mini ice cream cones