Voting for the 2026 Prezoodential election at Utica Zoo is closing in just a few days and has
become a real ‘tail biter’! Two of the six candidates took the lead but have now made it a very close race! An anonymous benefactor has recently made a generous donation for the campaigns of both Spot, the Burmese python, and Shehariah, the domestic Yak. These two are now racing to the finish line, and there’s truly no way to tell which way it will go! The zoo is anxious to see who the public will push to the finish line!
The candidates to consider for this election are:
Xiao the Muntjac: The Utica Zoo is very “deer” to Xiao, and he’s ready to give “buck” what he can!
Spot the Burmese Python: It may be a “stretch,” but Spot thinks she’s got what it takes to “squeeze” her way into the prezoodency!
Hamish the Highland Cow: This cute little cow knows how to “moove” his way into our hearts and is ready for his first prezoodency!
Charlie the African Painted Dog: She doesn’t care if being prezoodent is a “paint” in the butt, she’s ready to go “wild” with it.
Shehariah the domestic Yak: Talking smack about our yak? Cut her some slack! Shehariah has a knack for getting the zoo back on track!
Evelyn the Karakul Sheep: Don’t try to pull the wool over the eyes of this superstar! Evelyn is ready to win this race without using any “sheep” tricks!
In-person voting at the Utica Zoo will be offered on Saturday, February 14 th , Sunday, February 15 th , and Monday, February 16 th between 10:00am and 4:30pm. Visitors with paid admission on these days will receive a complimentary voting ballot to place in their preferred candidate’s box, with donations here also being counted as votes. The zoo’s Prezoodential winner will be tallied on February 16 th in recognition of Presidents’ Day and announced to the public on February 17 th ! All generous donations to the Utica Zoo’s Prezoodential campaigns are greatly appreciated and are utilized for the ongoing care of these animals. The zoo is eternally grateful for the continuous support and participation
from the community for initiatives such as this.
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
