LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 95th Anniversary of the Utica
Zoo

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality and
character of life of the citizens of New York State are greatly enriched
by the availability of exceptional cultural, educational, and recre-
ational facilities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 95th Anniversary of the Utica Zoo, to be celebrated on Satur-
day, June 20, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Located on Steele Road in Utica's Roscoe-Conkling Park, the
Utica Zoo is part of a recreational complex made possible by the
donation of the land formerly known as the Devereux Farm by Thomas R.
and Maria W. Proctor in 1909; the zoo opened in 1914 and has grown from
its small beginning of three fallow deer gifted by the Bronx Zoo to its
present collection of over 200 animals; of the 80 acres of land set
aside for the zoo's use, 35 are currently developed; and
WHEREAS, The zoo property is owned by the City of Utica, and until
1964, was operated by the Parks Department; in 1964, the Utica Zoologi-
cal Society, incorporated in 1925 and chartered as an educational insti-
tution by the New York State Education Department in 1968, assumed full
management of the zoo; and
WHEREAS, The zoo's first building, the Wildlife Building, completed in
1920, currently houses the administrative offices, auditorium, reptile
exhibits, the zoo's kitchen and the Animal Care Center added in 1981;
the first building constructed exclusively for animal use was completed
in 1927 and still houses the cat and primate collections; and
WHEREAS, The Utica Zoo's other major exhibits include the Siberian
tiger outdoor exhibit and the California sea lion exhibit and, as visi-
tors wend their way through the zoo, they can observe reindeer, a red
panda, cranes and a whooper swan, water fowl and an alligator, a Bactri-
an camel, Eurasian boar, mountain goat, bald eagle, Amur tiger, snowy
owl, Siberian lynx and many others, and there is also a children's zoo,
play area, picnic area, amphitheater, and a gift shop and concession
stand; and
WHEREAS, The zoo hired its first professional zoo director in 1966;
one year later, Marlin Perkins of Mutual of Omaha's "Wild Kingdom" fame
officiated at the opening of the Children's Zoo and presented a tiger
cub on behalf of the insurance company; and
WHEREAS, In 2003, the Utica Zoo received an Association of Zoos and
Aquariums Significant Achievement Award for its participation in the
North American Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Program; and
WHEREAS, The zoo remains appreciative of the Rotary Picnic Pavilion
generously constructed by the Greater Utica Sunrise Rotary, Utica Rota-
ry, Whitestown Rotary and New Hartford Rotary Clubs in 2004 in commem-
oration of Rotary International's Centennial Celebration as well as of
the many items which continue to be donated to the zoo from its Zoo
Wishlist each and every year; and
WHEREAS, Open April through October, the zoo also offers a variety of
educational and recreational programming throughout the year; the Utica
Zoomobile visits schools, nursery schools and daycare centers,
libraries, nursing homes and senior citizen centers, scouting groups and
other community organizations and events, and on site programs such as
Zoo Adventures Story Time, zoo camps, preschool programs and home school
classes are offered year round as are educational resources for teach-
ers; and

WHEREAS, The people of Utica and the Mohawk Valley and beyond have
enjoyed the Utica Zoo for 95 years; it is a destination appreciated by
residents and visitors who seek the cultural, educational, and recre-
ational resources of the area and is a well-deserved source of pride;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 95th Anniversary of the Utica Zoo, to be celebrated on
June 20, 2009, and to commend all those, past and present, who have
worked on its behalf and helped to make it the success and popular,
welcoming destination it is today; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Utica Zoo.