Upcoming Events

Join us for a wild evening of stories from the people that take care of the North Carolina Zoo’s most exotic animals...Jb Minter, the North Carolina Zoo’s Director of Animal Health, leads a four-part series of conversations with other Zoo staff and gives a peek into the sometimes bizarre world of everyday, exotic animal care.  

Hear and see some of the wildest veterinarian and medical encounters caring for the largest and smallest of the Zoo’s residents. Your ticket purchase supports the Zoo's Conservation Medical Fund and you receive a plate of food (provided by the Zoo's catering group SSA), a beer, and a raffle entry for an animal painting. Each event will feature a small batch of a specially brewed beer created by our hosts at Four Saints Brewing Company. Guests will also enjoy an education station and giveaways at these fun events! Thank you to our Sponsors Four Saints Brewing Company and SSA (Service Systems Associates)!

January 27
“Snake Tails” 
Have you ever wondered about how the Zoo cares for venomous snakes? Join Dustin Smith, Curator of Herpetology, for an up close encounter. Learn about how we care for all of the rattlesnakes and their allies, the Zoo’s study of venomous snakes, as well as the state of the art medical procedures that we can do to help our reptile friends.

April 27
“Backyard Tails”
Animals from your own backyard need help sometimes. The Zoo’s Schindler Wildlife Rehabilitation Center cares for injured, sick and orphaned native wildlife. Veterinary Technician Halley Buckanoff leads a dedicated team that rehabilitates injured birds, turtles, otters, rabbits and even black bears.The wildlife center is the only one of its kind in AZA-accredited facilities across the U.S. and is a critical resource for rehabilitating and releasing wildlife from across the state.

August 3
“Apes Without Tails”
The Zoo’s great ape troops continue to grow in births! Medical advances have also increased animal care and life longevity among all the great apes: Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Orangutan, Bonobo and Human. Join Curator of Mammals Jennifer Ireland and Animal Management Supervisors Chris Goldston and Jodi Wiley and learn how the Zoo’s experts manage these highly intelligent animals and their complex social interactions and structures. All without tails. 

October 12
All-American Tails 
North Carolina is home to the critically endangered American red wolf, with only a few dozen currently living in the wild in eastern N.C. The North Carolina Zoo is at the forefront of saving this native American species and is the second largest breeding facility in the country. Chris Lasher is an Animal Management Supervisor and the coordinator of the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Discover how the Zoo and partner agencies, are caring for red wolves and working to make a difference for them in the wild. 
 

Celebrate the beginning of Spring at the NC Zoo!

Celebrate the 50th Earth Day with the North Carolina Zoo. Join us in celebrating Mother Earth and the blue planet. Explore ways you can help your planet through water conservation, protecting green spaces and living the green life. This party for the planet features live music, crafts and more! Event activities run from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Birds, Blooms, Bees and Butterflies is a great day of family fun.

The American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK) invites you to come run for the animals at the North Carolina Zoo!  Join zookeepers, friends and family for a good cause. Proceeds go to conservation efforts both local and globally as well as zookeeper professional development!

More information coming soon!

The North Carolina Zoo is a leader in conservation programs in Africa. Discover how we support endangered animals and how a visit to the Zoo helps save wildlife worldwide. 

Celebrate Halloween at the Zoo! Boo at the Zoo is a family-friendly event of daytime Halloween fun. Enjoy trick-or-treat games, live music, entertainment, face painting, animal encounters and our popular children’s costume contest. Gather up the entire family  - all ages will enjoy this annual fall event at the Zoo.

Tickets for Boo may be purchased at the Zoo's North America or Africa admission gates.

Held both Saturday, Oct. 24 and Sunday, Oct. 25 in the Africa Amphitheater (Solar Pointe if rain is forecast)

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, 12 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

Come celebrate the magic of the season at the North Carolina Zoo's holiday Believe event. Enjoy touring the Zoo and making memories at the daytime holiday event, including Santa and Mrs. C, all in one stop!

Come celebrate the magic of the season at the North Carolina Zoo's holiday Believe event. Enjoy touring the Zoo and making memories at the daytime holiday event, including Santa and Mrs. C, all in one stop!

Come celebrate the magic of the season at the North Carolina Zoo's holiday Believe event. Enjoy touring the Zoo and making memories at the daytime holiday event, including Santa and Mrs. C, all in one stop!

Come celebrate the magic of the season at the North Carolina Zoo's holiday Believe event. Enjoy touring the Zoo and making memories at the daytime holiday event, including Santa and Mrs. C, all in one stop!