Central Park Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Society

The Central Park Zoo is the third facility in the Wildlife Conservation Society's unique network of zoological parks and aquarium. We are located in the southeast corner of Central Park. Central Park Zoo is a six-acre facility originally built in 1864 and renovated in 1934 as one of the many Works Progress Administration projects under Parks Commissioner Robert Moses. In 1980, WCS was contracted to take over the zoo and in 1988, the Central Park Zoo reopened as a world- class zoo that attracts over 1 million visitors each year. Our audience is composed primarily of members of the Wildlife Conservation Society, residents from all over New York City and the tri-state area, and tourists. We have four major exhibit zones: Tropic Zone, Temperate Forest Zone, Polar Region, and Sea Lion Court. There is also an amphibian exhibit in the Zoo Gallery. North of the main zoo, visitors can follow the path that leads them to the Tisch Children's Zoo which features a walk-through aviary and petting zoo. In addition to the animal exhibits, the zoo has a gift shop (Zootique), a café (Dancing Crane Cafe), and two classrooms in the Zoo School building.