New York State Zoo at Thompson Park

The New York State Zoo at Thompson Park strives to be the premier zoological park that focuses on New York State ecosystems, through conservation, education, scientific study, and recreation.

The New York State Zoo at Thompson Park prides itself as being the only zoo in the world to exhibit species native to New York State. Abundant, threatened or endangered animals, including wolverines, black bears, eagles, mountain lions, Canada lynx, grey wolves, and more make their home at our 32-acre Zoo.

The Thompson Park Zoo was established in 1920 when the Northern New York Trust Company donated two whitetail deer to Thompson Park and the City of Watertown to create a naturalistic exhibit that would offer all visitors an opportunity to enjoy the grace and beauty of these indigenous animals.

Since 1920, Watertown's Zoo has been home to a diverse collection of wildlife from the exotic to the indigenous. The first animals were purchased with funds raised by the children's Park Zoo Club. The club, under the leadership of a twelve-year old boy, was formed as a support organization to provide a source of funding to feed the animals and construct small habitats for animals like porcupines, raccoons and other small carnivores.

Over the next few decades, Zoos across America began to shift towards a more naturalistic method of exhibiting animals. Seeking to incorporate these changes into the Watertown Zoo, a new generation of leadership established the Thompson Park Conservancy and Zoo. In 1992 the Zoo was turned over to the Conservancy, a federal not-for-profit 501(c)(3) entity. The Zoo began a period of rapid growth and expansion developing a " new Zoo" for the citizens of the North Country, a endeavor which continues to this day.

The New York State Zoo at Thompson Park prides itself as being the only zoo in the world to exhibit species native to New York State. Abundant, threatened or endangered animals, including wolverines, bears, eagles, mountain lions and more make their home at our 32-acre Zoo.

Our Zoo is now the second most visited attraction in the Thousand Islands Region. It attracts nearly 50,000 visitors per year and is supported by over 800 member households and reaches nearly 35,000 people through education programs.

The New York State Zoo continues to move forward inspiring conservation, education and family oriented programs.

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