The Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park sits tucked into the northern face of Binghamton's South Mountain. The zoo officially opened in 1875, and it is the fifth oldest zoological institution in the country behind such communities as Philadelphia, Chicago, Cincinnati, and Buffalo.
Under the Southern Tier Zoological Society, Ross Park has undergone tremendous changes. What was once asphalt, concrete and steel bars is now winding wooded paths with naturalistic exhibits housing over 100 different species. A strong emphasis on conservation education has created an outreach program that serves over 20,000 people in New York and Pennsylvania.
