An Amur leopard dozes in a tree | ScubaBear68 via Flickr
In an article last year in the Wall Street Journal, Metro Money editor Anne Kadet set out to rank New York’s smaller, non-Bronx zoos. The winner? The Staten Island Zoo. “It feels remarkably complete,” wrote the author, “a veritable Noah’s Ark.”
Located in northern part of the island, the Staten Island Zoo has over eight acres to house its “ark.” The zoo opened to the public in 1936, after Julia Hardin willed her family’s private park lands to the city. It was considered the first U.S. educational zoo.
On March 25, the zoo unveiled a new Galapagos tortoise exhibit, the first time this endangered species has been on view here since 1983. The exhibit features three of the dome-shelled creatures in a habitat that evokes their homeland. The three tortoises are seven years old and weigh about 50 pounds each, but just wait — this species of tortoise can grow to 500 pounds and live over 150 years!
If tortoises aren’t cuddly enough for you, maybe you’ll prefer the spotted leopards. The Amur leopard, an endangered species native to Russia, is the only leopard subspecies that can survive in a cold, snowy climate. With fewer than 40 existing in the wild, the Staten Island Zoo recently acquired two young males in hopes of boosting the population. These two males are currently lounging about their new Amur Leopard Habitat, a 4,500 square foot space made to look just like home.
Happily floating along | ScubaBear68 via Flickr
Planning to keep your kids occupied this summer? The weekly Zoofari sessions from July 7 to August 22 offer children of all ages a chance to learn about animals through arts, crafts, and hands-on encounters, led by wildlife experts. It beats another eight hours of Minecraft!
Except for a few key holidays, the Staten Island Zoo is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Staten Island Zoo | 614 Broadway, Staten Island, NY 10310 | 718-442-3100
Cute animal overload yet? Here’s one more! | ScubaBear68 via Flickr
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