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 note, the Zoomobile does not come to private residences.
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:
1 Hour Presentation
Schools: $150 | Community/Private Groups: $200
2 Hour Presentation
Schools: $275 | Community/Private Groups: $325
UZ&U
Schools: $175 | UZ&U Community/Private Groups: $225
For more information about UZ&U, look below!
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:
1 Hour Presentation:$275 | 2 Hour Presentation: $325
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: $175 | 2-Hour: $275
UZ&U 1-Hour: $200 | UZ&U 2-Hour: $300
For more information about UZ&U, look below!
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: $135
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: $50 | 30 Minute: $100
What is UZ&U?
The Utica Zoo is proud to introduce our newest conservation education initiative: UZ&U. This initiative is designed to connect our audiences more directly with the most current conservation issues facing our planet, as well as how we can each give back in our personal lives. We all know that when it comes to conservation, it’s not just the zoo, it’s you too. Our standard ZooMobile, Booth, Camp, and Field Trip programs have all been given a UZ&U twist and can be fully tailored to hit specific learning objectives or to highlight a specific conservation issue. We are happy to work with you to plan an engaging, informative, and interactive program that encourages active conservation participation. A portion of all proceeds from these programs will also go directly to conservation organizations; just by booking you’re already helping the planet! For more information, contact zak.hughes@uticazoo.org .
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.
- We do not come to private residences.
- 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 from Utica Zoo) $0.70/mile
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After Hours Fee (Presentations Outside of 8:30am to 4:30pm) Starting at $55
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Additional Presentation (Same Day) $100/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.
