Seneca Park Zoo Presents

Opening Memorial Day Weekend 2026

An Interactive (Climbable!) Exhibit on Wildlife Conservation

Have you ever climbed on top of a Black Rhinoceros? This summer you can!

For a limited time, Seneca Park Zoo is bringing you an interactive zoo exhibit featuring 12+ life-sized animal sculptures, each representing a species that has made an incredible comeback after facing extinction.

Meet the Species That Made a Comeback

Every sculpture tells a success story. Through various conservation and habitat restoration efforts, these species, once at risk of disappearing, are once again thriving in the wild.

Through this interactive exhibition, your family can learn their stories while having a blast at the zoo!

Animals Featured

Black Rhinoceros
Burmese Star Tortoise
Cheetah
Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
Mudpuppy
Bornean Orangutan
Orinoco Crocodile
Paddlefish
Panamanian Golden Frog
Pangolin
Peregrine Falcon
Puerto Rican Crested Toad

Black Rhinocerous

Diceros bicornis

Despite their name, black rhinos are actually gray—just like white rhinos.
Their pointed upper lip works like a finger to grab leaves and branches
They can run up to 30–35 mph, even though they weigh over a ton.
Rhinos have poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell and hearing.
Each rhino’s horn shape is unique, like a fingerprint.

Burmese Star Tortoise

Geochelone platynota

Despite their name, black rhinos are actually gray—just like white rhinos.
Their pointed upper lip works like a finger to grab leaves and branches
They can run up to 30–35 mph, even though they weigh over a ton.
Rhinos have poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell and hearing.
Each rhino’s horn shape is unique, like a fingerprint.

Cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus

The fastest land animal, reaching speeds up to 70 mph
They can go from 0 to 60 mph in just a few seconds
Their long tail acts like a rudder to help steer during high-speed chases
Cheetahs cannot roar—they chirp, purr, and hiss instead
Their black “tear marks” help reduce sun glare and improve focus

Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake

Sistrurus catenatus

One of the smallest rattlesnakes in North America
Their rattle makes a buzzing sound to warn predators to stay away
They are shy and prefer to avoid humans
They help control rodent populations, which benefits ecosystems
They give birth to live young instead of laying eggs

Mudpuppy

Necturus maculosus

Bornean Orangutan

Pongo pygmaeus

Their name means "person of the forest"
They build a new nest in the trees almost every night
Infants stay with their mothers for up to 8 years—one of the longest in the animal kingdom
They share about 97% of their DNA with humans
Use tools like sticks to extract insects or seeds

Orinoco Crocodile

Crocodylus intermedius

Paddlefish

Polyodon spathula

Have existed for over 100 million years—long before dinosaurs went extinct
Their paddle-shaped snout is filled with sensors that detect tiny prey
They feed by swimming with their mouths open and filtering plankton
Can grow over 7 feet long
Related to sturgeon, another ancient group of fish

Panamanian Golden Frog

Atelopus zeteki

Bright yellow color warns predators that they are toxic
“Wave” their hands to communicate over loud streams
A national symbol of Panama
Can recognize each other visually using unique patterns
One of the most famous amphibians affected by chytrid fungus

Pangolin

Manis spp.

The only mammals covered in protective scales
Can curl into a tight ball when threatened
Their tongue can be longer than their body
Eats thousands of ants and termites in a single night
Their scales are made of keratin—the same material as human fingernails

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

The fastest animal on Earth—over 200 mph in a dive
Strike prey in midair with incredible precision
Have extremely sharp eyesight—can spot prey from over a mile away
Nest on cliffs and skyscrapers
Made one of the greatest conservation comebacks after DDT was banned

Puerto Rican Crested Toad

Peltophryne lemur

The only native toad species in Puerto Rico
Named for the bony ridge (crest) above its eyes
Spends much of the year hidden underground
Breeds in temporary pools after heavy rains
Thousands of zoo-raised tadpoles have been released into the wild

Plan Your Next Family Adventure

If you are looking for family-friendly activities to do around Rochester this summer, this limited-time interactive exhibition is a must-see. Come play and learn with us at the Zoo!

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