Animal Care Blogs | North Carolina Zoo

Summer Improvement Projects Underway
As part of our ongoing commitment to excellence, guests may notice Park maintenance projects in progress this summer. While minimal disruption is expected, some areas may have temporary barriers or visible work crews during your visit.
Zoo Closed Remainder of the Day: June 23, 2026

Due to repairs to main water lines in the City of Asheboro, which supplies water to the Zoo, the North Carolina Zoo, Wildlife Rehab Center, and all hiking trails are closed for the remainder of the day on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

Two Victoria Crowned Pigeons standing side-by-side on a wooden beam. The birds are distinguished by their striking powder-blue plumage, maroon chests, and elaborate, lacy blue crests on their heads. They are set against a blurred background of green foliage.

Animal Care Blogs

A Royal Family: Victoria-crowned Pigeons

We are in presence of royalty at the Zoo...

A large, fuzzy Grizzly Bear rolling on its back in the snow which covers its vast, rocky habitat with a tall, natural rock wall standing in the background.

Animal Care Blogs

Geriatric Grizzly Bear Care

Grizzly bears can be how old?!

A small, shiny black snake with a distinct coppery-red or orange band around its neck and a black head. The snake is coiled slightly on top of several large, pale yellow or off-white reptile eggs, which are covered in flecks of dark dirt or substrate. The snake appears to be hatching from the eggs.

Animal Care Blogs

Breeding Indigo Snakes

Breeding the United State's longest native snake!

A Gorilla sitting with its legs tucked under it. The large, muscular animal is looking at the viewer, one hand resting on the ground while the other is clenched near his chest.

Animal Care Blogs

Zoo Research: Let’s be the Greatest Apes we can be!

Did you know that you are a GREAT ape?

A small, lean black bird with yellow patches on its wing and backside under its tail called a Yellow Rumped Caciques. It is perched on a tiny branch with a lush forest blurred in the background.

Animal Care Blogs

Yellow-rumped Caciques

Spring means nesting and chicks for yellow-rumped caciques!

A busy, educational graphic panel displaying a montage of chimpanzee portraits and information. The collage features approximately twelve close-up photos of chimpanzee faces showing various expressions and features, each paired with text and arrows that point to specific characteristics, likely for identifying individuals.

Animal Care Blogs

Chimpanzee Management

In order to better replicate the social structure of chimpanzees, zoos started moving towards housing larger troops

A zoo keeper or caretaker wearing a dark blue top and jeans, leaning over a low concrete barrier to feed a large American alligator that is partially submerged in water. The person has their hand, which appears to be gloved, extended toward the alligator's open mouth. The background is a lush, green outdoor enclosure with dense foliage and trees.

Animal Care Blogs

Alligator Care and Training

Did you know we train our alligators?!

Sea lion swimming on its back under water next to the edge of a pool. A person in a navy blue jacket and jeans, is on their knees leaning over and touching the sea lions flipper and stomach.

Animal Care Blogs

Pinniped Care and Training

Pinni -what? Check out what it takes to care for these marine mammals

A polar bear is sitting on a large, stacked rock formation overlooking an enclosure with turquoise water below. The background is a large, rocky wall and trees under a cloudy sky.

Animal Care Blogs

Zoo Research: Endless Possibilities!

Animals can benefit from moving between different areas.