Now that record-breaking low temperatures are behind us, it is time to enjoy the outdoors again. But in Utica, community members braved the cold all winter for trips to the zoo. Alana LaFlore explains how the Utica Zoo hopes to be able to continue boosting its attendance.
UTICA, N.Y. -- Animals at the Utica Zoo certainly weren't starved for attention this past winter.
"Overall from November to March, we've actually seen a 10 percent increase from last year," said Mike Beck, a zoo spokesperson.
March saw more than 1,000 visitors, up from just 790 last year. The Utica Zoo attributes the surge in attendance to an updated website, and a larger presence on social media.
And exercise is part of the draw. The zoo boasts 2 miles of trails.
"We didn't have snow for a long time, so our snowshoe program wasn't active, but once we had snow for two weeks, people were in here snowshoeing almost everyday until it melted," said Beck. "A lot of people get memberships just so they can get their physical activity in."
While they navigated their way through the zoo, people got almost a full show.
"We only have three animals that go inside during the winter," said Beck. "So almost our entire animal collection is out."
Looking ahead, officials hope to keep giving people reasons to flock to the zoo.
A few animals will make their debut this spring.
"The spring is all about babies for sure," said Beck. "Not only adding new exhibits and new animals, but sometimes the animals themselves are adding to their families. We have a baby wallaby who is actually out of the pouch now and is the cutest thing ever."
This month, the Utica Zoo will hold its annual Earth Day event.