What is the Utica ZooMobile?
The ZooMobile program offers a wide variety of experiences (see below) that allows the ZOO to come to YOU! 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.
Please call the education department for booking at (315) 738-0472 ext. 36 or email Zak at zak.hughes@uticazoo.org
ZooMobile
Our ZooMobile is an interactive, formal presentation 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 – 60 minutes, depending on age/grade level and topic choice.
ZooMobiles are recommended for: Schools, Nursing Homes, Youth or Adult Camps
Cost
Schools: $110 | Community/Private Groups: $135
ZooMobile Festival
ZooMobile Festival includes 4 to 6 formal, mini presentations consisting of 2 animals. Each presentation lasts about 20 minutes. This allows schools to break students up into smaller groups, for more focused presentations.
ZooMobile Festivals are recommended for: Schools, Nursing Homes, Youth or Adult Camps
Cost
4 Presentations: $200 | 5 Presentations: $230 | 6 Presentations: $260
ZooMobile Booth
Our ZooMobile Booth is an informal program that includes a table set up with select 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.
ZooMobiles are recommended for: Community Events, Fairs or Festivals, Farmers Markets, Expos
Cost
1-Hour: $150 | 2-Hour: $250
ZooMobile Junior
ZooMobile Junior is our mini ZooMobile program designed for preschool-aged children. The presentation includes a storybook reading to promote early literacy and a three animal presentation.
ZooMobiles are recommended for: Pre-schools
Cost: $95
Virtual ZooMobile
The Virtual Zoomobile program allows you to experience the zoo from the comfort of your own classroom, business, or home! Two different virtual zoomobile options are available: A 15-minute program, meet and greet with one ambassador animal for or a 30-minute program with three ambassador animals. Our zoo educator will present each animal for a few minutes, and then open it up to questions from your group.
ZooMobiles are recommended for: Schools, Homeschool Programs, Private Groups
Cost
15 Minute: $40 | 30 Minute: $75
What Are the Requirements for Hosting a ZooMobile at Your Site?
The safety of our visitors, staff, and animals is of the utmost importance to us! In order for the ZooMobile to visit your location, the following requirements must be met:
- For the safety of our ambassador, participants will NOT be able to touch mammals, amphibians, or invertebrates. Touching of reptiles may be permitted for groups of 40 individuals or less at the discretion of the educator.
- Our setup cannot be in close proximity to other animals (humane societies, animal shelters, etc.) or areas where food is being served.
- The animals cannot be set up near any sound systems, speakers, bounce houses, live music, or any other locations that are extremely noisy. This may overwhelm our animals and make them uncomfortable.
- The furthest we travel is 2 hours away from the zoo! To account for travel time, programs over 1 hour away may be limited. We recommend booking several months in advance.
- Spring and summer ZooMobile programs book up very quickly! We recommend inquiring well in advance for availability.
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:
- 1) Animal Senses
- 2) Invasive & Extinction
- 3) Habitats
- 4) It Got Cold (Winter Adaptations)
- 5) Herpetology (Reptiles & Amphibians)
- 6) Pass the Energy (Trophic Levels))
- 7) Wonder Pets
- 8) Exotics
- 9) Animal Movement
- 10) Camo
- 11) Adapt & Defend
Don’t see your topic listed here? We are happy to tailor a program to any topic of your choosing!
Additional Fees
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Mileage (over 20 miles) 65.5 cents/mile
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After Hours Fee (Presentations Outside of 8:30am to 4:30pm) $15/hour including program & travel time
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Additional Presentation (Same Day) $75/presentation
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Layover Fee If over ½ hour between programs, an additional $15 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 Zak Hughes at zak.hughes@uticazoo.org
Or, fill out the form on the bottom of this page to request a Zoomobile. 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.