The North Carolina Zoo - Asheboro, NC

For Over Fifty Years

Saving Wildlife and Wild Places

What we do

The North Carolina Zoo protects wildlife and wild places and inspires people to join us in conserving the natural world.

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.

• Air Hike Ropes Course

• Kidzone

A person wearing a harness and helmet navigates a rope net bridge high up in a forest canopy, surrounded by green trees. Another person in similar gear is partially visible on a wooden platform to the right.

Air Hike Ropes Course

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Kidzone

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Plan Your Visit

Today at the Zoo

Feeding Times

View Full Schedule

Garden Friends Playground

Open daily

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Air Hike Ropes Course

10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Last entry 3:00 p.m.

Weather Permitting

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Every day

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

It’s been a very difficult week here at the North Carolina Zoo. With extremely heavy hearts, we are grieving the loss of giraffe, Leia. 💔 🦒
Leia’s death is especially raw as she passed away only a day after the Zoo’s long-time Director and CEO Pat Simmons.
On Tuesday morning, Leia underwent a planned medical procedure to address a hoof injury. Vet staff expected Leia to make a full recovery before she experienced acute aspiration following the procedure. Aspiration is a recognized complication that can sometimes occur with the use of anesthesia in both humans and animals. It is widely considered the number one complication with giraffe surgical procedures. A necropsy, or animal autopsy, was performed and results confirmed aspiration as the official cause of Leia’s death. She was 15 years old and was a beloved part of the Zoo family since 2010.
A quote from Kelly, one of her keepers, "Over the years we developed an extremely strong relationship to where for a while she wouldn't trust any stranger unless I was there to give the ok. Her personality blossomed over the years showing her true intelligence and awareness. Our training sessions could be incredibly productive but, she was a strong independent lady who had opinions and didn't like to be touched very often. Leia was always the first to test out new puzzle feeders and lick all over the go-pro cameras when we would put them up in the barn. Leia was a true "once in a lifetime animal.""
The Zoo respectfully requests privacy and compassion for affected staff as they continue to mourn two unimaginable losses so close together. Grief counselors have been on site to support staff members during the grieving process.

It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of Pat Simmons, Director and CEO of the North Carolina Zoo, on July 14, 2025. Pat courageously battled cancer for nearly five years.
Pat was a highly respected zoo director within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for over 41 years. She was the Director of the Akron Zoo from 1985-2014 before she came to North Carolina as the Director and CEO of the North Carolina Zoo from 2015-2025. She was nationally and internationally recognized in the zoo and aquarium industry, receiving many awards and appointments in support of wildlife conservation, sustainability, and women in leadership roles. Pat was and remains an icon in the industry.
To know Pat was to love her. She was a force to be reckoned with and made huge impacts during her time at the Zoo. She was immensely funny, smart, and passionate. Pat loved animals and people with her whole heart. She was a sought-after mentor and counselor, helping many find their true passion. Her legacy in the zoo community will carry on through those she touched throughout her lifetime.
We send the Simmons family our sincere and deepest condolences. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and all those she knew throughout her life. ❤️

BOOP! 🫵
It's Snake Week!….What is Snake Week?? It is a week to celebrate all things snakes! It encompasses World Snake Day on 16 July and encourages snake awareness, coexistence, and snake safety. This is the first ever Snake Week organized by @‌snake_week 🐍🎉
Check out the website www.SnakeWeek.org to see other organizations participating! 🌐✨
#SnakeWeek2025 #SnakeSunday

Just when you think it can’t get any better…. IT DOES! We don’t just have two adult white deer on Zoo property, now we have a WHITE FAWN! 🤍 🦌✨
Zoo Staff have spotted the white fawn throughout the past several weeks and we have been lucky enough to get some photos to share! 😍
From visual observation, the fawn seems to be doing well, growing just as a baby deer should be. Staff have also spotted it on trail cams with mom, who is the typical light brown color of white tailed deer and another baby deer that is the normal fawn color. Could we have twin fawns?! Both fawns have been seen repeatedly with the same doe, but we can’t be sure. 🤔
It is unlikely that you will spot the white fawn on your Zoo visit. However, we still wanted to share this special sighting with our guests after the love the adult white deer post received last fall! 🫶
As a reminder, these deer are native inhabitants residing on protected land where hunting is strictly prohibited; they are NOT in a human-made habitat designed for public viewing. ‼️
Catching a glimpse of the new baby is unlikely during typical business hours. However, if you do encounter the white fawn (or any native wildlife for that matter), please treat it with respect by observing quietly and from a distance (like any animal in our care). We appreciate your partnership in ensuring their safety and tranquility. 📍

Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums

A Commitment to Excellence

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

Nature Play Area for families to explore, get wet, get muddy, meet Animal Ambassadors, build a survival shelter, walk the Treetop Trail and more! Our play areas feature a stream, a fort making zone, a mud cafe, and more. Available year-round and free with admission.

A group of eight young ladies standing next to a wire fence next to an animal habitat. A Rhinoceros stands with its side facing them on the other side of the fence, as they reach through and touch its back. A dusty lot and a line of trees stand in the background.

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!