ZooAmerica Recognizes Endangered Species Day 2023 with 3-day Event
Fun and Educational Activities at the Zoo May 19-21
ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park in Hershey, Pa., will recognize Endangered Species Day (May 19) with a three-day event featuring special programming from May 19-21, 2023.
The celebration this year is a special one, as it marks the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), an important piece of legislation that institutionalized the national commitment to the conservation of fish, plants and wildlife and the places they call home, according to the Endangered Species Coalition. Without the Act, many animals and plants, including those seen on a daily basis at ZooAmerica, may have died out.
ZooAmerica is currently home to 12 North American species impacted by the Endangered Species Act. You can learn more about the animals below and check out the schedule of events at the Zoo on May 19-21.
Endangered Species Day Schedule of Events
During the three-day event, ZooAmerica will have infographics throughout the Zoo describing how the Endangered Species Act has impacted 12 species that call Hershey their home. There will also be special talks, feedings and enrichment activities that feature these animals.
Friday, May 19
- 2 p.m. - Black-footed Ferret Enrichment Activity
Saturday, May 20
- 11 a.m. - Canada Lynx Feeding
- 12:30 p.m. - Desert Tortoise Graze
- 2 p.m. - Gray Wolf Enrichment Activity
Sunday, May 21
- 11 a.m. - Eastern Indigo Snake Feeding & Enrichment Activity
- 12:30 p.m. - Ocelot Enrichment Activity
- 2 p.m. - Alligator Feeding
ZooAmerica Animals Impacted by Endangered Species Act
| Species | Date Listed | Current Status |
| American Alligator | March 11, 1967 | Similarity of Appearance to a Threatened Taxon |
| Black-footed Ferret | March 11, 1967 | Endangered |
| Thick-billed Parrot | June 2, 1970 | Endangered |
| Ocelot | March 28, 1972 | Endangered |
| Eastern Indigo Snake | March 3, 1978 | Threatened |
| Gray Wolf | March 9, 1978 | Endangered or Threatened (based on location) |
| Gopher Tortoise | July 7, 1987 | Threatened |
| Desert Tortoise | April 2, 1990 | Similarity of Appearance to a Threatened Taxon |
| Mountain Lion | August 14, 1991 | Similarity of Appearance to a Threatened Taxon [Listed in FL] |
| Canada Lynx | March 24, 2000 | Threatened |
| Bald Eagle* | 1967 | De-listed on June 28, 2007 |
| Peregrine Falcon* | 1970 | De-listed in 1999 |
*No longer listed
Join in the Celebration at ZooAmerica
Regular admission to ZooAmerica is $15.00 plus taxes and fees. Juniors ages 3-8 and seniors ages 62+ are $13 plus taxes and fees. Children 2 and under are free.
Guests who purchase a ticket to Hersheypark can gain access to ZooAmerica for no additional cost only when accessing the Zoo from the bridge inside Hersheypark during posted Park hours. Please note that Zoo and Park hours vary. Guests interested in visiting the Zoo before the Park opens will have to purchase separate Zoo tickets.