Blog | 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.

A panoramic view of three or four giraffes standing among sparse trees and dry brush in an open, arid savanna environment.

Giraffe Social Systems: Friends in High Places

Celebrate World Giraffe Day 2021 by learning about giraffe social groups!

A large, reddish-brown African Elephant stands in a dirt and sand enclosure, leaning against a tall, brown vertical metal barrier on the right. The elephant has large tusks and its right front leg is raised, resting against the fence. A large green ball is visible on the ground to the left, and a building and vehicles are visible outside the enclosure in the distance.

Animal Care Blogs

Elephant Yoga

How do you help an elephant stay strong? You do elephant yoga!

A black Ground Hornbill stands next to a person. The bird is looking to the left with its beak open. It has striking features, including a prominent blue inflatable-looking patch of skin (wattle) on its throat and face, a casque on its large beak, and a slightly ruffled appearance to its feathers. A small mound of dark dirt and green foliage is visible on the left.

Animal Care Blogs

Doli the Abyssinian Ground Hornbill

Meet a Zoo favorite, Doli!

A black and yellow Honey bee flying next to the petals of a large pink flower with bright yellow center.

Helping One of Nature’s Underdogs—the Native Bee

Help nature's most important underdogs!

A person surveying the trees, wearing a blue hard hat, dark shirt, and dark pants with a harness walks through a dense, green forest. The undergrowth is lush with ferns and various leafy plants. To the right, a tall, light-colored tree trunk stands prominently.

Red Colobus: Conserving Africa’s Most Threatened Monkeys 

Conservation for Africa's most threatened monkeys.

Two adults in a North Carolina Zoo enclosure examine an Elephants leg. One, with long blonde hair and an animal-print shirt, holds up a small pin. The other, bald with a beard and in a blue shirt, looks left and touches the leg gently.

Animal Care Blogs

Elephant Acupuncture

Acupuncture on the world's largest land mammal?!

A close-up of an alligator snapping turtle, showing its mottled brown and green shell, powerful jaws, and long pointed nose.

Animal Care Blogs

Oh Snap! Caring for Alligator Snapping Turtles

Leia the Giraffe extends her long next to eat leaves from a lush tree branch.

Animal Care Blogs

Zoo Research: Studying Our Giraffe

Studying our tall towers!

A large outdoor canvas tent, where a group of people are attending a presentation or training session. A man in a khaki shirt is standing under a projected screen on the back wall, speaking to the seated audience. About a dozen individuals, mostly men, are seated on metal-framed chairs, facing the front.

Earth Day 2021: Action Through Community

Earth Day is important throughout our Zoo community!