What Programs are Offered through the Utica Zoo ZooMobile?

We offer many different programs to fit your unique needs! We are available 7 days a week, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm (An after-hours fee is applied for programs that run after 4:00 pm), and offer presentations throughout Central, Northern, and the Capital District of New York State.

Our ZooMobile Presentation Program is an interactive program in which a Utica Zoo educator brings a variety of live animals and related biofacts to your location. The typical ZooMobile presentation features four animals and lasts 30 to 50 minutes, depending on age/grade level and topic choice.

We also offer a special Zoo Adventures Program for preschools which includes a storybook reading to promote early literacy and a three animal presentation.

Our ZooMobile Booth Program is an informal program that includes a table set up with four animals, related biofacts, and general zoo information. A typical ZooMobile booth lasts from one to two hours. Participants can visit the animals at their leisure and explore hands-on bio-facts.

Our Virtual Zoomobile Program allows you to experience the zoo from the comfort of your own home! We offer two different virtual zoomobile options: A 15-minute program with a meet and greet with a single ambassador animal for $40 or a 30-minute program with three ambassador animals for $75. Our zoo educator will present each animal for a few minutes, and then open it up to questions from your group. Click here for more information and to book a program. 

What Precautions is the Utica Zoo taking to reduce the risk of exposure at a zoomobile program?

The safety of our visitors, staff, and animals is of the utmost importance to us! As such, we have made some modifications to our zoomobile program in accordance with the social distancing, group gathering, and reopening guidelines set forth by New York State.

• All zoomobile programs must be held outdoors or in a large indoor setting that allows for proper social distancing between the education team and the zoomobile participants, such as an auditorium or gymnasium. We also cannot be set up inside of private residences or for at home private birthday parties.
• At this time, we cannot visit any locations that have high incidences of exposure or high risk, such as assisted living facilities or rehabilitation centers.
• All proper social distancing practices between the educator, animals, and participants must be followed. The participants must be at least 6 feet away from the educator and the animals.
• Due to the fact that social distancing cannot be maintained, participants will not be able to touch the animals during or after the presentation.
• The educator(s) that facilitate your program are required to wear masks when social distancing cannot be maintained.
• The maximum number of participants allowed for a zoomobile presentation is 50, per NYS group gathering guidelines.

What Animals Will I See?

While you cannot specifically choose which animal(s) we will bring, we do offer topic choices that follow NYS curriculum standards and festival themes. Utica Zoo education staff will choose animals from our ambassador collection that best fit your event and topic chosen. If your facility or group has specific requirements that prevent us from bringing certain animals, please let an educator know when booking.

We cannot guarantee that specific animals will be available for your program; animal usage for programs is carefully monitored to allow a healthy rotation among our ambassador animals. 

Our topics to choose from are as follows:

• Northern Forest Exploration (NYS Animals)
• Up All Night (Nocturnal Animals)
• Classification Classroom
• Endangered Species
• Awesome Adaptations
• Spineless Wonders (Invertebrates)
• Predator vs. Prey
• Habitat Hopping
• WWW.Marsh (Wetlands)
• Hop, Waddle, Slither, Swoop (Animal Movement)
• Shiny Scales & Feathery Tails
• Home Sweet Home
• Radical Reptiles

Don’t see your topic listed here? We are happy to tailor a program to any topic of your choosing!

 

Zoomobile Costs

• Virtual Zoomobile (1 Animal)                                                $40.00
• Virtual Zoomobile (3 Animals)                                             $75.00
• Preschool Zoo Adventures Program                                     $75.00
• Zoomobile Presentation for Schools                                    $100.00
• Community Zoomobile Presentations                                 $125.00
• Private Zoomobile Presentations                                          $135.00
• Additional Presentation (Same Day)                                   $50.00 per presentation
• 1 Hour Zoomobile Booth                                                       $150.00
• 2 Hour Zoomobile Booth                                                       $200.00
• After Hours Fee                                                                        $25.00
• Mileage (over 20 miles)                                                          $0.57/mile
• Layover Fee – If over ½ hour between programs, an additional $5.00 for each ½ hour will be charged.

**Pricing structure is subject to change without notice. Please check with a staff member while booking your reservation to confirm that there have not been any changes. 

Booking:

Please call the education department for booking at (315) 738-0472 ext. 36 or email Kathleen at kathleen.mcgill@uticazoo.org

Note: The form below is not a guarantee of booking date or time. A Utica Zoo staff member will contact you at your provided method to discuss schedule and availability.