Seneca Park Zoo, Conservation zoo in Rochester, United States
Seneca Park Zoo covers 20 acres within a park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and displays roughly 90 animal species including mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, and fish. The exhibits range from outdoor habitats to indoor facilities, with displays of African elephants and white rhinoceroses that cannot be found elsewhere in New York State.
The facility began in 1894 with displays of deer and birds, then underwent major expansion in 1931 when the main building opened to house exotic animals for the first time. This growth transformed the zoo from a simple wildlife exhibit into a significant regional destination.
The zoo shapes how local families experience wildlife through its educational outreach programs that reach schools throughout the region. These efforts have made animal learning a regular part of childhood for generations in Rochester.
The zoo operates year-round with both outdoor and indoor exhibits, making it accessible regardless of weather conditions. Visitors can navigate the grounds on foot and find good viewing points throughout the facility.
During the 1970s, local schoolchildren collected coins to fund two polar bears that became named after the very coins used to purchase them. The resulting polar bear grotto, built in 1975, still stands as a monument to this community effort.
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