Happy Zoo Year! Check Out What’s New This Year and What’s Coming in 2023
Zoo visitors can now enjoy the newly opened Arc in the Park Café.
The Cape May County Park & Zoo is looking forward to an exciting 2023 as it plans for a number of improvements, enhancements, and new animals! With funding provided by the Cape May County Zoological Society, the zoo has successfully completed two major capital campaigns.
The first campaign raised $250,000 for the construction of two new habitats and the arrival of three new species: red kangaroos, emus, and toco toucans. Construction on the kangaroo and emu habitat is completed and now houses five red kangaroos: three females (Gertroode, Proodence, and Roothie) and two males (Regis and Jenga), as well as a male emu, Grant. The arrival of the toco toucans was delayed over the summer out of caution due to the presence of the avian flu; however, a male and female have arrived, and habitat construction is nearing completion, with an expected opening in late November.
The second campaign raised $25,000 for indoor and outdoor renovations, which began in early November, as well as enrichment activities for the snow leopard habitat.
Two additional renovations were completed in 2022 including a water feature installation in the bald eagle habitat, and new fencing surrounding the camel habitat. And finally, the zoo recently completed construction of the Arc in the Park Café, adjacent to the kangaroo habitat, featuring a new building, upgraded menu offerings, and an expanded outdoor dining space.
As the zoo prepares for next year, more exciting updates move forward including the renovation of the camel barn, and continued work on the outdoor areas of the new café. The zoo also welcomes Matilda, a two-toed sloth, joining the education department for a number of outreach programs and summer camp visits, as part of the zoo’s dedicated education and conservation efforts.
“The Cape May County Park & Zoo is constantly growing and changing, and we have the ability to continue moving forward with this type of progress through the partnership with the Cape May County Zoological Society, and generous donations from our supporters,” says park director Ed Runyon. “Our new arrivals are enjoying their habitats and are acclimating well to the zoo environment. We are looking forward to continuing our plans for expansion and maintaining our dedication to education and conservation.”
The Cape May County Zoological Society has recently launched its annual appeal campaign, with a goal to raise $250,000 dedicated to Park & Zoo updates, improvements, and expansion. On behalf of the animals, the Zoo Society has launched a Letters to Santa Wishlist campaign, with a number of items the animals (and their zookeepers) have requested to maintain their habitats, upgrade their living areas, and provide new and exciting enrichment opportunities for the animals. To donate, go to capemayzoosociety.org, and click on the Letters to Santa campaign.
