Z is for the Rosamond Gifford Zoo

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse celebrated its centennial in 2014.

zoo_SYRThis is probably the third time I used zoo, but at least it’s a different one.

This past Veterans Day, the family visited the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park in Syracuse, NY. We were in the city for a conference my wife attended, and just before we left town, we followed the most convoluted Mapquest directions to get to this site that provided a great view of the city.

The admission price for the three of us was $20; actually 12.5% less than that with The Wife’s AAA membership. If we had gone NEXT year, I’d be a senior citizen (ack!) and would be charged $5 rather than $8.

As it turns out, the zoo was celebrating its centennial year:

The… Zoo has had a wild adventure of growth and improvement over the last century. Once just a small four-acre facility, the zoo is now home to approximately 700 animals (more than 240 species) spanning 43 acres.

You can read about the animals. As is always the case, there may be a a few animals not available. The small enclosed animals looked fine. I did wonder if the lions would have preferred a larger space, as the tigers, foxes, and elephants had.

I imagine if we lived locally, we might visit a few times a year.

abc15

ABC Wednesday, Round 15

Author: Roger

I'm a librarian. I hear music, even when it's not being played. I used to work at a comic book store, and it still informs my life. I won once on JEOPARDY! - ditto.

19 thoughts on “Z is for the Rosamond Gifford Zoo”

  1. I have mixed feelings about zoos. On one hand, I think many zoos are woefully ill-designed and do not provide a healthy environment for the animals. On the other hand, the educational potential for people to see some amazing and rare animals can only be found in these sanctuaries. I like zoos that mimic natural surroundings and less small cages.

  2. I really love zoos. i try not to think of the animals being so limited in their area. San Diego Zoo is really one of the best for giving animals their space, but it costs a mint and I haven’t been there lately. The nice thing is to think how many animals I have actually seen and would never have seen at all under natural circumstances. The snow leopards are one of my favorites.

  3. I too am ambivalent about zoos – with modern documentaries and photography is it really neccesary that we SEE these animals confined – I can get as much thrill out of catching sight of a fox or a beaver or a muscrat in its own environment.

  4. It’s unfortunate that some creatures are becoming so endangered that, one day, we’ll ONLY be able to see them in zoos.

  5. “It’s all happenin’ at the Zoo….I believe it’s true…”

    Happy new year, and here’s to the upcomming Round 16!

  6. In common with other comments I’m in two minds about zoos and the ethics of the captivity of animals, on the other hand I cannot resist visiting them and appreciate their work in preserving species, so yes I’d be there and enjoying the day.

  7. I haven’t been to a zoo in a long while, unless an aquarium counts. When I was younger, it depressed me to see the wild animals stuck in concrete settings. No doubt, zoos are better about simulating their homes.

  8. I used to take my girls to zoos when they were younger, but have not visited one in several years. We are animal lovers, so we always enjoyed them. Blessings!

  9. When I taught school the kids loved the field trip to the zoo. They were first graders and kindergarteners, so the monkeys were a favourite. I was always afraid I would lose one of the kids on the trip. Never happened, but I did lose a mother volunteer once. – Margy

  10. We’re all going to the zoo tomorrow, zoo tomorrow, zoo tomorrow,…..

    I don’t like zoo’s, I feel that the animals should be left to fend for themselves in their own natural habitat.
    I have visited three zoo’s including, London’s Regent Park Zoo, Dublin’s Phoenix Park Zoo and Chester Zoo in NW England.
    The first two I was taken to, under protest, by my parents when I was quite young and the third , still amidst great protest, by my late 1st husband and three young daughters.

    All good wishes to you Roger for 2015.
    Di.xx
    ABCW team.

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