The Rosamond Gifford Zoo sits inside Burnet Park in Syracuse, New York, tracing its roots back to a small four-acre menagerie that opened in 1914. What began as the Burnet Park Zoo grew over the decades into a full-scale accredited zoological facility, eventually taking on its current name in 1999 after a major gift from the Rosamond Gifford Charitable Corporation.
Today the zoo spans 43 acres and is home to more than 1,300 animals representing nearly 300 species, drawing upwards of 300,000 visitors a year. It has held continuous accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1987, and a 1986 rebuild transformed it from its original small-scale layout into the modern campus visitors see today.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Burnet Park, Syracuse, New York
- Opened: 1914 (as Burnet Park Zoo; rebuilt 1986; renamed 1999)
- Size: 43 acres (17 hectares)
- Species: Nearly 300 species, 1,300+ animals
- Annual visitors: About 300,000
- Famous for: Asian elephants, Amur tigers, and a Komodo dragon
What You’ll See
Visitors can walk through exhibits featuring Asian elephants, Humboldt penguins, Amur tigers, and a Komodo dragon, among the nearly 300 species housed on site. The zoo’s layout within Burnet Park blends naturalistic habitats with educational signage, making it a popular stop for families and school groups in Central New York.
In 2022 the zoo opened a new Animal Health Center, which became the largest zoological medical facility in New York State outside of the Bronx Zoo — a reflection of the zoo’s ongoing investment in animal care and veterinary science alongside its exhibits.
A Century of History
The zoo’s story began with a $10,000 donation around 1900 and a modest four-acre facility that opened to the public in 1914 as the Burnet Park Zoo. After decades of incremental growth, a major 1986 rebuild modernized the grounds, and a $2 million endowment from the Rosamond Gifford Charitable Corporation in 1999 led to the zoo’s current name.
That century-plus history was marked publicly in 2014, when the zoo celebrated its 100th anniversary with community events highlighting its growth from a small park menagerie into one of Central New York’s most-visited attractions.
Explore more: Explore more Zoos & Aquariums.
Clips to a stroller, wagon or backpack strap. Quiet enough that it won't wake a napping toddler.
Cold water for the whole loop around the zoo, with a straw lid that doesn't leak in the bag.
A stick means no greasy hands. Reapply quickly between the penguins and the giraffes.
Rosamond Gifford Zoo FAQs
Where is the Rosamond Gifford Zoo located?
It’s located in Burnet Park in Syracuse, New York.
How big is the Rosamond Gifford Zoo?
The zoo covers 43 acres and is home to nearly 300 species and more than 1,300 animals.
Why was it renamed from the Burnet Park Zoo?
In 1999, a $2 million endowment from the Rosamond Gifford Charitable Corporation led the zoo to take on its current name.
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Photo: The original uploader was Gizzakk at English Wikipedia. / CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.