North Carolina Zoo North Carolina Zoo news 2025

Cat-Man said:
Do we have a list of species for the Asia area?
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The zoo themselves have not released an official list yet; everything we know comes from published designs/plans, various articles and publications such as a job opening that was shared on here, and a handful of transfers/acquisitions that have already occurred or are imminent (Komodo Dragons, Otters, Gibbons).

I believe @OkapiFan's quote below from December still represents the most up-to-date information that we have. @Acutus shared a job posting that some of this info was derived from; I linked that down below as well.

OkapiFan said:
ASIA:
- Tiger (Malayan?)
- White-cheeked Gibbons
- Komodo Dragons
- Chinese Alligators
- King Cobra
- Asian Small-clawed Otters
- Cinereous Vultures
- Visayan Warty Pigs
- Chinese Giant Salamanders
- Wrinkled Hornbill

Mostly Confirmed:
ASIA:
- Red Crowned Cran/White Stork - One of these is for sure coming, but which one has changed a couple of times
- Langurs (Species unknown) - Found on the NC government employment website for Asian mammal keeper
- Chinese Crocodile Lizards - Posted on the Asia Herp keepers job description
- Multiple more herps and fish - Also posted on the same job description
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Acutus said:
They recently listed an open position for an animal management supervisor for herps and aquatics that gives a little more detail on what smaller animals to expect from the new Asia section, mentioning multiple turtles and tortoises, vipers, colubrids, more amphibians than just the giant salamanders, and various fish. No individual species listed except ones we already knew about and Chinese crocodile lizards but Asia's herp collection seems like it'll be larger than I expected.
- Animal Management Supervisor Reptiles, Amphibians & Fish
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Breckenridge said:
The zoo announced they are phasing out paper maps for sustainability purposes, encouraging guests to use the digital map available via QR code.

It also looks like a new map design is being revealed.
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I just noticed something interesting about the new map; back in February, I shared this observation;

Astrotom3000 said:
The main trail near the Giraffe Feeding Deck is STILL closed off, requiring visitors to detour through the Shani Loop/Elephant viewing.
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This stretch of pathway has been completely removed from the map, which makes me think they are permanently closing it off. I am not sure why.
 
Astrotom3000 said:
The zoo themselves have not released an official list yet; everything we know comes from published designs/plans, various articles and publications such as a job opening that was shared on here, and a handful of transfers/acquisitions that have already occurred or are imminent (Komodo Dragons, Otters, Gibbons).

I believe @OkapiFan's quote below from December still represents the most up-to-date information that we have. @Acutus shared a job posting that some of this info was derived from; I linked that down below as well.




I just noticed something interesting about the new map; back in February, I shared this observation;


This stretch of pathway has been completely removed from the map, which makes me think they are permanently closing it off. I am not sure why.
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There were some additional bird species mentioned in the Spring 2025 Alive magazine. Bali mynahs, Crested partridges, Green junglefowl, Blue-crowned laughingthrushes, and Himalayan monals.
 
The North Carolina Zoo has announced that they are raising ticket prices and are also implementing a new admission pricing structure; admission prices will now vary between the peak season (Mar 15-Nov 14; which is when both entrances are open) vs. the "low" season (Nov 15 - Mar 14; only NA entrance is open). The new prices will go into effect Monday, July 14th.

Essentially, the low season prices are about what the regular admission prices were previously. For peak season, it's about a $3-$5 increase depending on if you buy the tickets online (cheaper) vs. buying them on-site.

Instagram

WRAL

(IMO, this is still a good deal considering it's a full-day zoo for me).
 
Other Mid-2025 News Not Mentioned:
On May 17th, the zoo announced they headstarted and released 5+ tiger salamanders (species not specified, presumably eastern) back into the wild.

North Carolina Zoo (reel)

On May 3rd, it was mentioned that the zoo transferred a (0.1) Arabian sand cat named Cleo to Utah's Hogle Zoo in Utah*.

On July 3rd, the zoo officially launched a new phone app that includes a live map, audio descriptions, and various activities/augmented reality (AR) games.

North Carolina Zoo

On July 5th, it was mentioned that the zoo transferred (2.0) Arabian sand cats named Amir and Jabari to Greensboro Science Center in North Carolina**.

On July 10th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) North American river otter named Murphy from an unspecified facility in Illinois, which is now on exhibit.

North Carolina Zoo

* Information provided by @zoocentral in the Hogle Zoo News thread (Page 24 Post #469).
** Information provided by @OkapiFan in the Greensboro Science Center: News & Expansion Updates thread (Page 16 Post #310).
 
On August 10th, the zoo announced that 5 Virgin Islands tree boas were born in 2025.

North Carolina Zoo

On August 13th, the zoo announced they participated in the first successful red wolf cross-foster swap in the Red Wolf SAFE program's history (A male from the facility was swapped with (2.2) wild-born wolves which were integrated into the zoo's litter).

North Carolina Zoo

On August 17th, it was announced that the zoo acquired (2.2) mangrove pitvipers from Los Angeles Zoo in California.

https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/3-Zoo-Commission-Animal-Transaction-Report-8.2025.pdf
 
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