North/ American River Otter
River otters are excellent swimmers and divers and are usually found no more than 10 yards from water. They can remain underwater for six to eight minutes.
Become a Zoo Parent!
Funds raised through our Adopt-an-Animal program support a variety of projects, including habitat improvements, animal enrichments, research and training.
Adopting an animal makes a unique gift, perfect for any birthday, holiday, special occasion or commemoration. Give the perfect present to the person who has everything!
Groups Can Adopt Too
Your group can become a proud zoo parent. Your group's name will be inscribed on your official Adopt Certificate and be displayed on the Adopt Parent board.
Become a Young Philanthropist! Adopt an animal.
You can register your birthday, graduation or other occasion with the zoo and we can accept donations on your behalf toward a special animal adoption of your choice. In addition to the listed benefits, we will recognize your commitment to the zoo in a special listing in MyZoo Magazine. After you have registered, just ask your friends and family to make a donation of $5 or more to your animal adoption online, by phone or at the zoo's membership desk.
Donations must total $40 or more to participate. We request a $5 minimum donation per person toward your animal adoption.
To register contact us at 315-435-8511 x130 or mgarlock@rosamondgiffordzoo.org
If you choose to collect donations for an animal adoption on your own, please let us know that you are a Young Philanthropist so that we can include you in the special listing in MyZoo Magazine.
Adopt-an-Animal Levels
There are several different adoption levels. Each level comes with its own set of benefits, which are displayed on the chart below.
| Adopt-an-Animal Levels |
Keeper $40 |
Senior Keeper $60 |
Collection Manager $100 |
Curator $250+ |
| Membership Appreciation Invitations |
2
|
4
|
6
|
12
|
| Fact Sheet About Your Chosen Animal |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
| Name on Zoo Parent Honor Roll for 1 year |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
| Personalized Adopt Certificate |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
| Special Zoo Parent Gift |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
| A 4" x 6" color photo of your animal |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
| Plush Stuffed Animal* |
YES
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
| Zoo Passes | 2 | 4 | ||
| * If a stuffed animal of your selected animal is not available, your package will include an Asian elephant
|
All of the animals at the Zoo are available for adoption.
See the list below for some suggestions:
|
Birds
|
Mammals
|
|
Andean condor
|
African lion
|
|
Bald eagle
|
Amur tiger
|
|
Chilean flamingo
|
Asian elephant
|
|
Humboldt penguin
|
Fennec fox
|
|
Fossa
|
|
|
Fish
|
Golden lion tamarin
|
|
Clownfish
|
|
|
Northern lined seahorse
|
Hoffmann's two-toed sloth
|
|
|
Lemur
|
|
Invertebrates
|
Meerkat
|
|
Chilean rose-haired tarantula
|
Naked mole rat
|
|
Madagascar hissing cockroach
|
North American river otter
|
|
|
Ocelot
|
|
Reptiles
|
Red fox
|
|
Amazon river turtle
|
Red panda
|
|
Dart frog
|
Siamang ape
|
| Dwarf caiman |
Sand cat
|
| Iguana |
Snow leopard
|
| Reticulated python |
Spectacled bear
|
|
Squirrel monkey
|
Please note, all adopted animals remain in the care and custody of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo and no ownership rights are conferred. Should your adopted animal be removed from our collection, your sponsorship can be transferred to another animal for the remainder of the year. Due to their popularity, some animals may have multiple "parents."
Click here to download an Adopt an Animal application.
For more information, call (315) 435-8511 x129 or x130.
Note: You can visit your favorite adopted animal more frequently if you become a member!
