Utica’s newest attraction has officially arrived…BULL REEF at Utica Zoo will open
publicly after a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, June 10 th at 11:00am. This brand-new exhibit
boasts vibrant hard and soft salt-water corals, captivating fish of numerous species, shrimp,
crabs, eels, and even more exciting aquatic life! Located next to their Scales & Tails Wildlife
Hall, the Bull Reef is centrally located in the heart of the zoo, and hard to miss!
This new exhibit only furthers the Utica Zoo’s mission to inspire
connections to wildlife through conservation education. A slideshow
will play next to the coral reef exhibit offering related educational facts
and statistics, along with important conservation messaging. The zoo
also plans to utilize this new indoor space for events such as small
parties, celebrations, or even community mixers after hours.
The Bull Reef at Utica Zoo would not be
made possible without the professional
expertise and generosity of Dr. Ronny Bull.
For almost a year now, the zoo has been
following his guidance to create the second
largest coral reef on the east coast, following the New York
Aquarium and larger than the New England Aquarium. His wife,
Jennifer Bull, says: “Dr. Bull’s passion for saltwater corals began 42
years ago when he was just six years old, tending to small fish tanks
in his bedroom and reading books to learn how to care for them. In
2017, that childhood dream came to fruition with the launch of his coral farm, Bull Reef
Aquaculture.
He manages every aspect of the farm with seemingly effortless attention to detail,
meticulously overseeing the lighting, water temperatures, and the complex scientific and
technological needs of the business. Beyond the farm, Dr. Bull generously shares his
knowledge with the reefing world by speaking at shows and educating fellow hobbyists.
Ronny's expertise is evident in every corner of his beautiful, healthy aquaculture farm, which is
maintained to the highest standards. May his wisdom continue to guide others and carry on his
legacy of preserving these precious creatures for future generations.”
Bull Reef is also generously sponsored by Todd Usmail
from Usmail Electric, who is responsible for the
electrical infrastructure and visiting area in front of the
tanks. Born and raised in New Hartford, Utica Zoo has
always been a special place for Todd. He has been
with the family-owned electrical business since 1981,
and just recently opened Seas the Day Scuba last year
after finding a newfound passion for scuba diving. His
wife, Noreen Usmail, states that Todd believes Utica
Zoo is “an incredibly important part of the community
and wants nothing more than to see continued growth
for future generations to share with their families.”
Additionally, the public side of this new habitat is made
possible in part from a NYS grant through the Empire
State Development Regional Council Capital Funds
Program through the 2025 Regional Economic
Development Council (REDC) Initiative.
The zoo’s gift shop is already swimming with sea life
plush, toys, games, and even apparel for all ages! After June 10 th , BULL REEF at Utica Zoo
will be open from 10:00am to 4:30pm and is at no additional cost to view.
Executive Director, Andria Heath states, “The zoo is incredibly grateful to all those who
assisted with the opening of our new coral reef and we are thrilled to finally share this aquatic
adventure with the public. We encourage anyone looking for something new to visit Bull Reef
at Utica Zoo, as it will truly never be as mesmerizing as it is in person. Truly, the longer you
stare, the more you will see!”
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!
