Polar Circle

Meet wildlife from the ends of the earth! Bounce from the Arctic home for polar bears to the Antarctic turf of penguins and puffins. The indoor bird colony and outdoor polar bear pool make for a great year-round experience.

What to See and Do

Penguin feeding and presentation: 10:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.
Watch the gentoos and chinstraps feast on the fish their keepers hand out, and ask your penguin questions to a zoo docent.

Get a guided tour of the Zoo’s icy shore.
A presenter explains penguin “mood lighting,” which bird gets his herring filleted, and why a rock is a prized possession in Antarctica.

Watch polar bear playtime.
Big bears need big toys. Jolly balls and giant tubes encourage Gus and Ida to play and forage. Garden mulch is fun to roll in!

See the bears from a new perspective.
Viewing areas are located at three levels: underwater, at rock-level, and from above. Spying on swim-time is a treat.

Join the harbor seals for a meal: 11:45, 2:15, & 4:15
Herbie, Seven, and Nicky work with their keepers on behaviors such as “station” (stay), “target,” (focus), and “give flipper!”

A Safe Haven for Seals

When wild harbor seals pups are found stranded on shore, marine rescue organizations often contact the Central Park Zoo. Herbie and Seven were two such pups. The Zoo provided a sanctuary and a second chance for the orphaned marine mammals. In turn, this charismatic twosome has taught its many fans how we can become better stewards of harbor seals in the wild.