Utica Zoo Invites Community to Celebrate this Weekend
December 17th, 2025, a miracle was born at Utica Zoo! The White- handed Gibbon family of three turned into four when Artoo, a male, was born. The White-handed Gibbon species is determined endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature
(IUCN). Threats to this species in the wild include flourishing illegal pet trade where they are hunted, captured, traded, and exploited, as well as deforestation of their natural forest habitats. A birth such as this is cause for great celebration, and Utica Zoo would like to invite the community to shower their White-handed Gibbon family with love on Saturday, May 30th
. At 10:30am, the family will be let out to their decked-out exhibit, filled with exciting
enrichment and treats for them. The zoo will also have a baby animal match quiz for guests to have fun and learn more on their own. A keeper talk about their species will follow at 11:30am at their exhibit. Guests can be extra festive on this day when they wear blue and will receive $1 off admission to the zoo!
The zoo will also be hosting an enrichment raffle. Guests who bring in an enrichment item for the family (gift wrapped or unwrapped) will be entered in a raffle to win a free family
membership to Utica Zoo! Enrichemnt gift ideas are on the zoo’swish list, which can be found on their website at https://www.uticazoo.org/wishlist/
Enrichment is a very valuable tool that zoos and aquariums use to stimulate an animals’ senses and encourage the use of their natural behaviors. Enrichment can be
provided through toys or even recycled materials such as cardboard boxes or paper bags, which will also be gladly accepted.
Gifts can be brought straight to the visitor center on the day of the shower
where a staff member will assist with individuals entering their name in the raffle. Whoever’s ticket is drawn at the end of the weekend will be contacted within the following week. Artoo was generously sponsored by Enessa Carbone and Family with a generous donation, who in 2023 also named and sponsored Artoo’s older brother, Dooku! Utica Zoo is eternally grateful for their support and those who attend this weekend’s baby shower.
The Utica Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is the Best of Mohawk Valley Community Choice Award Winner for 2025. It is a regional destination that inspires and promotes the appreciation of wildlife through education, conservation, and recreation. Situated in the heart of Central New York, the zoo features a diverse collection of animals from around the world and offers various educational programs and events for visitors of all ages. It is home to approximately 200 exotic and domestic animals, welcoming nearly 100,000 visitors annually and is open daily from 10 am to 4:30 pm
363 days a year, with only the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. For more information on this, and all things Utica Zoo, visit UticaZoo.org or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!
