The Tisch Children’s Zoo opened in 1997. The Tisch Children's Zoo is home to many live farm animals, birds and frogs. Below are two of our animals that livein the children's Zoo. The Alpaca looks like a small camel. They come in brown, black and mixed colors. Their fur is very soft and when sheared is used to make clothing.


photo Ferne Spieler

Peacock walking through the Children's Zoo.



Two storks resting at the Children's Zoo.



The newest addition to the Children's Zoo are two pot- bellied pig brothers. They are named Otis and Oliver and were born April 14, 2004 on a farm in upstate New York. Their color is called "fancy pinto" They will weigh 60-70 pound s when they are fully grown. Here they are with Keeper Heather Gordon.


Photo by Joan Scheier

It is home to many live animals, as well as animals in the form of educational signs, many of the interactive variety. Several states in the children’s zoo make the appropriate sound when touched. Below is the goat statue, waiting to be heard.




Photo by Joan Scheier

"Interactive Animal Statues"


Interactive animal statues are designed for children to crawl into and pretend to become that animal. The first example is a turtle beside two shells for children to crawl into.

Photo by Ferne Spieler


The rabbit statue allows the visitor to be inside the rabbit.

Photo of Rabbit with Zachary by Joan Scheier

"Alphabet Cubes"


All through the Tisch Children’s Zoo are alphabet cubes. These colorful cubes show the photograph of the animal or the bird in the collection and tell the visitor what the animal is called.

Photo by Joan Scheier

"The Children's Zoo 1961"


The various versions of the children’s zoo have had unique collections of animal representations. It began in The Children’s Zoo of 1961 where visitors had to walk through a blue fiberglass whale, named “ Whaley”

Postcard from collection of Joan Scheier