The Buffalo Zoo has been a fixture of Buffalo, New York since 1875, making it the third oldest zoo in the United States according to the zoo’s own history. Tucked into the historic grounds of Delaware Park, the zoo has grown from its 19th-century roots into a modern AZA-accredited facility while preserving landmark architecture like its 1930s Entrance Court, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Spanning roughly 23.5 acres, the Buffalo Zoo is home to about 1,200 animals and draws close to 400,000 visitors a year, ranking as the second-largest tourist draw in Western New York behind only Niagara Falls. Popular exhibits include Arctic Edge, home to polar bears and Arctic foxes, along with Rainforest Falls, Sea Lion Cove, and Otter Creek.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: 300 Parkside Avenue, Buffalo, New York
- Opened: 1875
- Size: About 23.5 acres
- Animal count: About 1,200 animals
- Annual visitors: About 400,000
- Famous for: Being the 3rd oldest zoo in the U.S. and the Arctic Edge polar bear exhibit
The Zoo Experience
Visitors move through themed habitats that reflect the zoo’s long history of gradual expansion. The Arctic Edge exhibit is one of the most popular stops, giving guests close views of polar bears and Arctic foxes, while Rainforest Falls recreates a lush tropical habitat indoors. Sea Lion Cove and Otter Creek round out the aquatic offerings, and the Donna M. Fernandes Amphibian and Reptile Center, reopened in May 2019 after a renovation, houses the zoo’s reptile and amphibian collection.
Because the zoo sits inside Delaware Park, a Frederick Law Olmsted-designed public park, the grounds blend zoo exhibits with mature parkland landscaping, giving the visit a distinct sense of place compared to newer, purpose-built zoos. The zoo operates year-round, with seasonal hours that typically extend later in summer months, so visitors should check the official site for the current day’s schedule before planning a trip.
History and Preservation
Founded in 1875, the Buffalo Zoo is the third oldest zoo in continuous operation in the country, behind only the Philadelphia Zoo and the Central Park Zoo. Its Entrance Court, designed by African-American architect John Edmonston Brent and built between 1935 and 1938, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013, reflecting the zoo’s status as both a living collection and a piece of Buffalo’s architectural heritage.
The zoo’s animal collection has continued to evolve; in 2018 its Asian elephants were transferred to the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, and black rhinoceroses moved into that habitat by 2022, part of the zoo’s ongoing work as an AZA-accredited institution.
Explore more: Explore more Zoos & Aquariums.
Buffalo Zoo FAQs
How old is the Buffalo Zoo?
The Buffalo Zoo opened in 1875, making it the third oldest zoo in the United States.
How many animals live at the Buffalo Zoo?
The zoo is home to about 1,200 animals across its various exhibits, including Arctic Edge and Rainforest Falls.
What are the Buffalo Zoo’s hours?
The Buffalo Zoo is open year-round with seasonal hours that vary by month, generally extending later during the summer; check buffalozoo.org for the current day’s opening and closing times before visiting.
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Photo: Pubdog / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.