Your tax-deductible adoption helps support our programs and mission to be agents of change in creating a sustainable future and ensuring the conservation of species and habitats on a global scale.  That begins with our animals right here at the Zoo and the work we do each and every day!

Nothing is more important than where our animals live!  Our habitats are designed to replicate each species’ natural environment.  Every day includes time cleaning and maintaining each exhibit, as well as making changes when necessary based on the animals’ behavior, abilities, and stage of life.  Your gift also helps us provide enrichment for our animals to keep their minds sharp and let them have fun! 

Our on-site animal hospital and veterinary staff are able to provide excellent health care through advanced diagnostic testing, digital x-rays, and necessary medications.  Just like us, our animals get a complete physical every year, and specific health plans are designed to keep them in the best condition.  Your gift will help support the unique medical needs of our new born babies, senior animals, and everyone in between.  

When you adopt an animal, you help us make sure the nutritional needs of our animals are met.  Our commissary manager and curator work closely together to develop and maintain unique diets for each of our animals.   At the Staten Island Zoo each year we use:

• 5,000 pounds of meat for the leopards, hornbills, fossa, and foxes
  1,000 pounds of fish for the eagles and otters

• 12,000 pounds of grain and seed for waterfowl and other birds

• 27,000 pounds of grain for Children’s Center animals 

• 2,500 pounds of grain for our mammals

• 10,000 pounds of hay for our ponies, donkeys, tortoises, sheep, goats, and alpacas

• 54,600 pounds of produce for our primates and reptiles

• 780 dozen eggs—that’s 9,360 protein-packed eggs total!

The Staten Island Zoo was the first zoo in the country to include education as part of their mission.  We still adhere to this today, and your gift lets our 60 education animals help us achieve that goal!  They bring conservation to life with up-close experiences for our guests, helping to increase appreciation for wildlife and the natural world.  Each year, they meet:

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• 200,000 guests to the Zoo

• Over 500 participants in our Zoofari summer program

• 320 classes at on-site, in-school, and virtual education programs

• 220 students enrolled in after school programs

• 90 teachers attending Professional Development courses

• Tons of families by attending 15 science events at schools in every borough of NYC

• Local community members at 20 outreach events