Events

For 62 years the Salisbury Zoological Park has been one of the few zoos offering FREE admission and parking. This unique accessibility enables each and every one of us the chance to see and learn about our living world. Your Zoo offers a beautiful place within the Salisbury City Park for our entire community to come learn, relax and recreate with nature.

This past year, even in a time of intense political disagreements, bipartisan action by the President and Congress proclaimed our National Mammal. The American bison, a species exhibited at the Salisbury Zoo for over 50 years is now officially recognized as a national symbol. This historic agreement affirms the importance of our relationships, both as individuals and as a nation, to the living world.

Your Zoo is not just a place that exhibits a collection of wild animals. It is a place that inspires and informs us about these wonderful creatures. It is our mission to provide you a friendly, relaxing environment where educational and recreational opportunities come together through participation and interaction.

Entirely dependent upon philanthropic support our education department enhances and extends the Zoo’s community programs throughout our region. Consider our Story Time program. Happening every Tuesday, March through September, this Free program provides nearly a thousand unique experiences for area preschoolers. Held in locations throughout the Zoo and staffed and produced entirely by volunteers, youngsters are creatively introduced to nature. Stories are read, silly songs are sung, games are played, and crafts are made, all re-enforcing the value and importance of creatures like the American bison.

Our education staff maintain close connections to the county board of education, insuring that our programs compliment and support appropriate educational standards. This year alone our Zoo served nearly 8000 individuals from the Wicomico county school system. More than 12,000 students from other Delmarva school systems also were served. Additionally we support grades one through nine for our home school community with appropriate curriculum based materials. We host and participate in Wild about Reading, a program that encourages our youth to read.

The impact of our Zoo is not confined to our City Park site. Through our “Zoo to You” programs we are able to bring the Zoo’s inspiration to many different settings including assisted living and senior centers. Look for us at a wide range of community events such as 3rd Fridays, county fairs, and National Night out.

Click here to print out the Annual Appeal donation form.

The ‘bury Bear Project

What is the ‘bury Bear Project?

Andean bears are normally found only in South America but they have been a part of the Salisbury Zoo since 1974. In that time the Salisbury Zoo has seen some notable achievements. The Salisbury Zoo was home to “Poopsie” who, at the time of her death in 2013, was the oldest known Andean bear ever. During the 1980’s the Zoo produced several cubs that found homes in other zoos around the world. During that time tens of thousands of visitors and Salisbury area residents were able to see and enjoy these unique bears.

Regrettably, the world’s population of Andean bears has steadily declined. At this time, there are fewer than 20,000 bears left in the wild and that number is projected to decrease by 30% over the next several years. The Salisbury Zoo is accredited through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Through the AZA the Zoo is one of 25 zoos that collaboratively manage a captive population of 46 bears through the Species Survival Program. During this past year the Salisbury Zoo was home to one of three of cubs successfully produced within this program.

As Salisbury’s bear cub grows up visitors have a unique opportunity to observe a rare and vulnerable species. The Salisbury Zoo also has the opportunity to recognize that its past successes create a special opportunity to fill a unique need. Through the ‘bury Bear Project, the Zoo hopes to create a sustainable commitment to Andean bears and, more specifically, to making Andean bears a prominent and permanent feature of our Zoo. With the world’s population of these animals in continuing decline, it is imperative that we are able to be a productive participant in on-going collaborative captive management. The ‘bury Bear Project is an initiative to develop specific resources to support the Salisbury Zoo’s Andean Bear program. This will enable the Zoo to collaborate with other zoos in the successful captive management of an Andean bear population to sustain our capacity to present this unique animal to our community.

How you can help! By joining or renewing your membership with the Salisbury Zoo you can opt. to donate extra that will go to this initiative. Click HERE for brochure and form.

  Halloween Happening Oct. 20th is still on, we will honor tickets bought for October 13th

(Zoo will be closing at 11am on October 20th to prepare for Halloween Happening)

Halloween Happening is the biggest Halloween event on the Eastern Shore. The event provides Halloween themed activities for children 10 and under who may not want to participate in the scarier parts of a Halloween event. The event runs on Saturday, October 13th and on the following Saturday, October 20th from 1pm-4pm. Children will be able to” Trick or Treat” throughout the Zoo, participate in Halloween games, educated about animals, go thru a hay bale maze and compete in a costume contest! For more information call 443-944-0636. 

Pre-Sale Ticket Price: with 1 Child Ticket purchased for $8.00, get 1 Adult Ticket Free!
*Advance tickets may be purchased in the Zoo Gift Shop

Day of Event Price: Child Ticket $8.00 | Adult Ticket $2.00 (may be purchased at the gate)

Thank you to our Halloween Happening Event Sponsors:

Want to volunteer for Halloween Happening? Click here for Volunteer Registration Form. Email or mail to:
Leonora Dillon | Salisbury Zoo Education Dept. | PO Box 2979 | Salisbury, MD 21802 | salisburyzooed@gmail.com

Bring your old eyeglasses to the October 20th Halloween Happening to benefit the Salisbury Heritage Lions Club’s Vision Days!

Cookies with Santa

December 1st & 15th, 2018 12:00 am – 4:00 pm

Critter Christmas

Dec. 8th 2018 noon-4pm

Santa needs your help! Because there are so many people on the nice list this year, Santa has decided to set up a workshop right here at the Salisbury Zoo! At this workshop you will be helping Santa create over 12 different craft projects to give as gifts, or decorate your home and spread Christmas cheer. You can purchase a passport for $8 and your child will be able to create one of each craft offered or you can choose from the a-la-cart menu.  The craft projects range from $.50-$1.00 each. Each station’s craft items are prepacked so if your little one has had all the fun he/she can stand for the afternoon, you can pick up your kits and finish them at home, on  your own.  We do have two free crafts in the mix too. Word is Santa and Mrs. Claus are stopping by to see how operations are going. Children will be able to visit with the Mr. & Mrs. Claus at the Conservation Center during the event. Don’t miss this fun filled opportunity for the whole family to get into the holiday spirit and to create special memories. There will be a craft fair held in conjunction with the workshop. Proceeds from the event benefit the Salisbury Zoo’s Education Department. Call 443-944-0636 for more info.

Home School Workshops

• Home School Workshops provide a fun, science themed, educational workshop.
• Geared for multilevel age groups including a discussion on the given topic, live animal presentations, when available, and a hands-on activity or game.
• All programs are 45 minutes long
• Workshops are $6 a child
• Held on the first Thursday of the month
  • 10 am for Elementary levels
  • 11 am for Middle School levels
• Held on the third Thursday of the month
  • 10 am for Elementary levels

Docent Training

Want to be a Zoo volunteer?
Then become a Docent! Zoo volunteers have an interest in wild animals, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn. No experience is necessary-we will teach you everything you need to know.

What do Zoo Volunteers do?
Volunteers help with education programs such as guided tours, live animal presentations, and school programs. Volunteers serve as on-site experts for our guests. They share their knowledge of animals, nature, and conservation with visitors. Volunteers help out with the Zoo’s special events, such as Halloween Happening, Earth Day and Critter Christmas. They have the opportunity to help with the care and handling of the Education Program Animal Collection. These animals are used in education programs at the Zoo, in schools, and at community events. Volunteers must complete a pre-requisite number of hours and attend extra training to be involved. Call 443-944-0636 for more information and to register for the training.

Give a Hoot Two

TBD 2019

Back by popular demand, Give a Hoot Two will be held on Friday, August 24th from 5pm-8pm at the East Entrance of the Zoo near the Zoo stage. Music by Beauty to Ashes, food from Vittles and the Stuffed pup. Evo craft beer and wine. Face painting and craft for the kids. Education animal encounters and animal enrichment presentations. The event is free, no ticket needed. Donations accepted. There is a charge for drinks and food. Proceeds benefit the Spectacled owl exhibit.

Members and Sponsor Zoo Picnic

TBD 2019

Bunk With The Beasts

TBD 2019

You don’t have to travel across the world to take your family on an exotic vacation. Just join the Zoo with our Bunk with the Beasts Camping Adventure! This overnight adventure includes dinner, a guided tour, fun activities, animal encounters, a night hike thru the Zoo and a continental breakfast the next morning. Campers need to bring their own tents, sleeping bags and flashlights. Some tents will be available to rent, first come first serve.

The camp out is designed for families with children ages 4 and older.