On March 13th, 2026, the Peter Corigliano IV Memorial Fund donated $20,000 to the Utica Zoo to help renovate the existing red panda exhibit and contribute toward the construction of a new red panda habitat.
Peter’s parents reached out to the zoo in search of a meaningful way to honor their son’s memory and create a lasting tribute in his name. Peter Corigliano IV was an extraordinary nine-year-old boy who was full of life. He loved deeply, embraced every moment, and had a special love for animals. Peter passed away on September 3rd, 2025, due to congenital heart disease. “Peter was my entire world” says Peter’s mother, Ashley Corigliano. “When my husband and I were talking about what we could do to honor Peter’s legacy, I thought about reaching out to the zoo. Peter loved coming to the zoo and loved seeing the animals. Every time we visited, he would pick his favorite animal of the day, we would buy the stuffed animal from the gift shop, and then we would go home and learn everything we could about that animal.”
The red pandas were Peter’s favorite animal at the Utica Zoo, just as they are for many children who visit. “When I first approached the zoo, I was nervous that we might not share the same vision for a dedication for Peter,” Ashley says. “I was wrong. I left my meeting with Andria feeling inspired. I realized we could help the zoo do more than just renovate the current exhibit. Andria explained that the zoo has been raising funds to build an entirely new red panda habitat, which will cost around one million dollars to complete. Once finished, it will be a beautiful space for visitors to view this species. That’s when I knew we had made the right decision to honor Peter at the Utica Zoo. Even more than that, I realized I had an even bigger purpose—to help the zoo raise funds to build Peter’s Pandas.” Executive Director of the Utica Zoo, Andria Heath, states: “The Utica Zoo team is honored to become a partner with the Peter Corigliano IV Memorial Fund. To receive this generous contribution and have the opportunity for a memorial site at the red panda habitat is intensely meaningful and we recognize the emotion involved. Peter was not alone in having a special love for the red pandas. The adoration of this incredible species only further drives their conservation forward. The improvements to this habitat in memory and honor of Peter will benefit this endangered species, our staff, and all those who visit the
Utica Zoo.” Peter’s father, Pete Corigliano, adds: “We wanted a place where we could go and see Peter’s face—a place our family had visited so many times before. A place where our family and Peter’s friends could go and feel like he’s there with them, watching the pandas.” Peter’s parents say that some of their favorite memories were watching Peter’s excitement during visits to the zoo as he learned about the animals. “Being with the animals calmed Peter,” Ashley says. “Walking around the zoo and then going home to
play ‘zoo’ for hours helped him escape some of the anxieties he faced with his medical condition.”
The Corigliano family hopes this generous gift will help create a lasting tribute to Peter in a place that brought him so much joy, while also inspiring others to connect with wildlife.
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!
