Providence, Rhode Island (October 29, 2024): New England’s favorite winter tradition, the Holiday Lights Spectacular, is coming to Roger Williams Park Zoo.

Walk through a winter wonderland where over 3.5 million twinkling lights light up the Zoo. Discover dazzling displays featuring festive decorations and enchanting illuminations. From reindeer that shimmer to snowmen who sparkle, it’s like stepping into a holiday fairy tale brought to life. Don’t miss out on this magical experience.

Join us and ring in the season nightly from November 29 through January 4, 2025, from 5:00 to 9:30 p.m. Bundle up, grab an adult beverage or hot chocolate, roast some s’mores, and stroll through 40 acres of illuminated pathways. It’s the perfect holiday experience to share with friends and family.

For full press release, click here. 

In the News: Red Panda Paradise: Roger Williams Park Zoo Unveils Cutting-Edge Habitat

Providence, RI (March 2024) Roger Williams Park Zoo announces the opening of a newly built, cutting-edge habitat explicitly designed for its red pandas, Kendji and Zan. This meticulously crafted sanctuary prioritizes optimal animal welfare and comfort while offering enriching experiences for visitors of all ages.

Kendji and Zan’s new home boasts a spacious two-story, climate-controlled indoor space that mimics their natural Himalayan habitat. This ensures their well-being,

regardless of fluctuating Rhode Island temperatures and humidity. Strategically placed viewing windows offer guests clear views of the red pandas’ playful antics, offering a balance between animal comfort and visitor engagement. A remote camera system ensures the red pandas’ safety and well-being even when out of sight.

To view full press relase, click here. 

In the News: Half-price Winter Wonder Days and Free Day Dec. 27th with Food Donation

PROVIDENCE, RI (Dec. 1, 2023): January and February bring the perfect weather to New England for visiting the Zoo and seeing animals outside, enjoying nature’s cooler temperatures. Roger Williams Park Zoo is open Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and half-price admission is available from January 1 to February 29, 2024.

The Zoo’s snow leopards are happy during the winter months. Snow leopards have adapted to live in colder environments, including their stocky bodies, thick fur, and small and rounded ears, all of which help minimize heat loss. A snow leopard’s large, fur-covered forepaws help the animal travel on rocky surfaces and avoid sinking into the snow.

Red wolves also acclimate well to colder weather. Zoo guests can often witness these charismatic creatures frolicking in the snow or lounging near heat sources, showcasing their ability to adapt to the changing seasons.

If you have not been to the Zoo in the winter, come and enjoy this season. It is always an adventure at Roger Williams Park Zoo.

All tickets must be purchased in advance online at rwpzoo.org.

For full press release, click here. 

In the News: Experience Butterfly Oasis at Stone Zoo

At Butterfly Oasis, generously made possible by StonehamBank, guests of all ages will wander along a winding path displaying a water feature and sculptural palm trees all within the 20-foot-high geodesic dome. As guests explore the space, they will be delighted by a range of butterfly species including monarchs, white peacocks and red admirals. The space will also house an eclosion box for guests to learn about the lifecycle of butterflies and watch as they emerge from their chrysalises.

“We’re excited to sponsor the Butterfly Oasis at Stone Zoo. This exhibit reflects our commitment to supporting community enrichment and providing memorable experiences for all,” said Edward F. Doherty, Jr., President and CEO of StonehamBank.

Butterfly Oasis will further introduce guests to the importance of pollinators in healthy ecosystems and ways that we can help them thrive. The space is planted with native and tropical pollinator plants, which will provide nectar for the butterflies. This vibrant new attraction seamlessly fits in with the Caribbean Coast, home to the bright Caribbean flamingo flock, colorful macaws and Jamaican iguanas.

For full press release, click here. 

In the News: New Animals, Bouncing Babies, and Animal Experiences to See at the Zoo

Philadelphia Zoo is thrilled to announce the birth of endangered species and rare breeds as well as the arrival of a species that hasn’t been at the Zoo for nearly 100 years, and a new way to see two of our endangered lemur species.

There are some new must-see additions at Philadelphia Zoo! The Zoo is proud to announce the hatching of two Humboldt penguin chicks, a vulnerable species; the birth of two Arapawa goats, a rare breed with less than 500 individuals in the world; and the return of red-tailed monkeys, a species that last lived at the Zoo in 1928. Plus, take a walk to Lemur Island, where you can now share a space with our families of ring-tailed and mongoose lemurs, an endangered and critically endangered species.

“We are delighted to share these exciting hatchings, births, and animal experiences with our guests, members, and greater Zoo community,” says Vice President of Animal Well-Being Rachel Metz. “Part of Philadelphia Zoo’s mission is to inspire action for wildlife and habitats, and watching baby animals grow, learning about a species that hasn’t been at the Zoo for nearly 100 years and engaging with endangered lemurs in a brand-new space is sure to connect our guests to wildlife in a new and exciting way.”

Below is a full rundown of all the new babies, animals and experiences at the Zoo!

Lemur Island

Step inside and share a space with our family of ring-tailed and mongoose lemurs at Lemur Island! This brand-new walkthrough experience takes you inside their exhibit outside PECO Primate Reserve—no fences, moats, or barriers of any kind. This experience brings you right next to these endangered species, helping guests grow a greater appreciation of what makes them so amazing and why they need our protection.

“Philadelphia Zoo has one of the most diverse collections of lemur species in North America,” says the Andrew J. Baker Curator of Primates and Small Mammals Michael Stern. “We love seeing the joy on guests’ faces as they enter the experience and come within feet of these lemur families. We are thankful to all the Zoo teams who worked together to bring this experience to our guests for 2023.”

For full press release, click here. 

In the News: Philadelphia Zoo Welcomes Three Majestic Ankole-Watusi Cattle

Philadelphia Zoo is thrilled to announce the arrival of three Ankole-Watusi (Ankole) cattle, now on exhibit on African Plains.

Called “Cattle of Kings,” Ankole are renowned for massive crescent or lyre-shaped horns measuring up to 8 feet wide. These horns continue to grow as the animals age, eventually weighing up to 15 lbs. each. Gentle in nature and massive in size, Ankole can weigh between 1,200 and 1,600 lbs., making them an incredible sight to see.

“We are thrilled to bring this striking breed to the Zoo for the first time in our 163-year history. We are certain they will enhance our visitor’s experience while highlighting the conservation work the Zoo supports in Uganda. There, through work with the New Nature Foundation, the Zoo empowers people to live in greater harmony with nature, and our new Ankole cattle will help to share that important story,” says Michael Stern, the Zoo’s Andrew J. Baker Curator of Primates & Small Mammals and Acting Curator of Carnivores & Ungulates.

For the full press release, click here.