Open Today: 9 A.M. - 5 P.M.
For Over Fifty Years
Saving Wildlife and Wild Places
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What we do
The North Carolina Zoo protects wildlife and wild places and inspires people to join us in conserving the natural world.
Group 53
Tickets
Group 55
Hours
Group 68
Maps
Group 57
Events

Giraffe

Giraffa camelopardalis

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What's New at the Zoo

Something NEW and exciting is always happening at the world's largest natural habitat zoo. 

• Recruiting volunteers

• Camp registration is now open

 

Five Zoo volunteers posing for the camera in Africa Plaza.

Volunteer

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Kids hiking towards their pitched tents at a zoo camp.

Camps

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Plan Your Visit
Today at the Zoo
Feeding Times

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Garden Friends Playground

Open daily

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Hiking Trails

6:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. (Apr. - Oct.)
7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Nov. - Mar.)

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streamside-habitat-1
Connect with us
Instagram @NCZoo

Stay in touch with the Zoo! Follow us on social media for updates on everything from our wildlife conservation efforts to your favorite animals. Share your photos, stories, and videos with us as we celebrate 50 WILD years in 2024.

Visit the Zoo's Instagram
We are elated to share that 4 critically endangered red wolf puppies have been born here at the North Carolina Zoo! 😍 They were born on March 31 and are a part of the Zoo’s red wolf breeding program, which houses around 30 wolves. The pups, two boys and two girls, will remain behind the scenes with mom, Roan, and dad, Marsh. This is Roan and Marsh’s second litter together. At the North Carolina Zoo, we have one of the country's largest red wolf breed programs, a massive conservation effort to save this species from the brink of extinction. 🐺
Butterflies are BACK! 🦋 The Kaleidoscope Butterfly Garden located in Junction Plaza is now open for the season. This fan-favorite attraction is weather-dependent, and you can purchase a ticket for $3 at Junction Plaza. Flutter on by! 🌞
Coming to the Zoo this Saturday? Make sure you stop by Kid Zone for Salamander Saturday!🦎 From 10 am - 2 pm, kids can participate in a range of activities and meet our salamander ambassador animals! 👀 A little rainy weather only helps create the perfect environment for our salamander friends! Come enjoy the rain with the salamanders🌧️ This event is included with Zoo admission.
Here's a Bongo Boop to get you through the week✨ Eastern Bongos are nearly threatened. They are the largest species of forest antelope, and it is rare to see them in the wild, even for the conservationists who study them.
Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
A Commitment to Excellence
Five Zoo volunteers posing for the camera in Africa Plaza.

Volunteer

There are many rewarding ways to volunteer your time at our park. Opportunities range from gardening to greeting to helping guests feed giraffes!

Kidzone play area, families, play, spring, zoo, outdoors, adventure, accessible

Kidzone

Nature Play Area for families to explore, get wet, get muddy, meet Animal Ambassadors, build a survival shelter, walk the Treetop Trail and more!

Zoo Tours

Zoo Tours: Family Activities for All

Join a behind-the-scenes tour of our animal habitats and have a close animal encounter with the North Carolina Zoo Society!