Meet Our Residents
With over 2,800 acres and 1,700 animals under its care, the North Carolina Zoo is the largest natural habitat zoo in the WORLD! Guests can view species by region, including Africa, North America, Desert, and Asia (coming soon).
Take your Zoo day to the next level and plan to attend a "Meet the Keeper" encounter where you may see a range of activities from animal feedings to training sessions. You may need to check the chat times posted for some animals at their habitats the day of your visit. Look for the "Meet the Keeper" signs. (Times subject to change.)
| Animal | When (Mar. 15 - Nov. 15) | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Cougar | Sundays at 11:00 a.m. | Cypress Swamp - Cougar Habitat |
| Various | Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. & Thursdays at 2:30 p.m. | Streamside - Bobcat |
| Alligator | Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. (seasonal) | Cypress Swamp - Various |
| Bison/Elk | Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. | Prairie Habitat |
| Red Wolf | Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. | Red Wolf Habitat |
| Polar Bear | Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. | Rocky Coast (Ice Cave) |
| Seabird | Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. | Rocky Coast - Seabird Habitat |
| Animal | When (Mar. 15 - Nov. 15) | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Gorilla | Sundays at 11:30 a.m. | Gorilla Habitat |
| Chimpanzee | Saturdays at 3:00 p.m. (Changes to 2:00 p.m. from Nov. 16 - Mar. 14) | Chimpanzee Habitat |
| Giraffe | Sundays at 2:30 p.m. | Giraffe Overlook Two |
| Elephant | Sundays & Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. | Elephant Habitat |
| Various | Mondays & Fridays at 3:15 p.m. | Watani Grasslands |
| Baboon | Mondays at 2:00 p.m. | Baboon Habitat |
| Red River Hog | Wednesdays at 1:15 p.m. | Red River Hog Habitat |
| Lion | Fridays at 1:45 p.m. | Lion Habitat |
| Animal | When (Mar. 15 - Nov. 15) | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sand Cat | Mondays at 11:00 a.m. | Sand Cat Habitat |
| Coati | Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. | Coati Habitat |
Providing Expert Wildlife Care
The North Carolina Zoo's Valerie H. Schindler Wildlife Rehabilitation Center provides free, professional veterinary and rehabilitation services to sick, injured and/or orphaned native North Carolina animals for the sole purpose of returning them to the wild in a condition that will optimize their chances of survival after release. The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (WRC), while on Zoo grounds, is a gated medical facility and not open to Zoo Visitors.
Saving Wildlife Locally and Around the World
The North Carolina Zoo is devoted to protecting our natural world each and every day. The Zoo has been involved in the conservation of wildlife for more than two decades. We have worked to preserve a variety of species. From vultures and gorillas in Africa, to endangered plants and amphibians in our own state.
Passion Meets Professionalism
Providing exceptional care to the animals at North Carolina Zoo is a complex task undertaken by a passionate team of highly skilled animal care & animal health professionals.
