‘Tis the Season (for Pumpkins) October 26, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, banded mongoose, Central Park Zoo, kookaburra, nature, NYC, photography, Pumpkin enrichment, pumpkins, Red Panda, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, wildlife, zebu, Zoos
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My October obsession with bats and pumpkins has come to an end with today’s photo montage. Enjoy some of the Central Park Zoo animals diving into their seasonal treat. 
Central Park Zoo at 37 August 10, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: 37th anniversary, animals, baby animals, banded mongoose, big cats, Central Park Zoo, NYC, photography, Red Panda, Sea Ducks, sea lion, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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Friday, August 8th, was the 37th anniversary of the Central Park Zoo. I am happy to say I have been associated with the zoo for the past 35 of those 37 years (that is probably how I know most of you). I thought in celebration of the wonderful animals that have crossed our paths (both past and present) I would share some of my favorite faces and photos. See how many you recognize. The zoo began in the 1860s as a menagerie. The zoo or menagerie (as it was called) started inside and around the Arsenal (built in 1848 – which now houses our WCS administrative offices and the NYC Parks Dept). The zoo was modified in 1934 as part of the WPA with the addition of many new buildings arranged in a quadrangle around the sea lion pool. In a contract with NYC, the zoo was completely renovated in the mid-1980s and with much fanfare, reopened on August 8th, 1988, replacing the old-fashioned cages with naturalistic environments. Check out some great photos from the early days of the zoo. Come visit us soon and a very Happy Anniversary!
National Zookeeper Week 2025 July 20, 2025
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, banded mongoose, Central Park Zoo, grizzly bear, King Penguins, nature, NYC, photography, Red Panda, sea lion, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, wildlife, Zoos
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The third week in July is when we recognize and celebrate the dedicated zookeepers who keep our zoos and aquariums humming. Zookeeper’s faces may change from year to year but the hard work, resourcefulness and commitment remain the same. I salute you all and especially the staff at my home base, the Central Park Zoo. Thank you for allowing me to take your photos while you perform your tasks with good humor. We are open 365 days a year thru rain, snow, summer heat and all holidays.
Smashing Pumpkins October 27, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, banded mongoose, Central Park Zoo, Mr. Pepe, NYC, photography, Pumpkin enrichment, pumpkins, Red Panda, Sea Ducks, snow leopard, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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My October obsession with all things bats, birthdays and pumpkins has almost come to an end with this Sunday’s photo montage. Enjoy (with me) some fun pumpkin enrichment from this year and from the past years at the Central Park Zoo.The bottom photo is of my dog, Mr. Pepe with his small pumpkins that I call ‘Pepekins.’ 
Ya Gotta Know When to Fold ’em (Part two) July 21, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, banded mongoose, Central Park Zoo, nature, NYC, photography, Red Panda, retirement, Sea Ducks, sea lion, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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As I said last Sunday, knowing when to move on is important. I share Part Two of some of my favorite Central Park Zoo photos taken over the last 35 years. I could have created 100’s more photo montages of my CPZ photos but as I said – you gotta know when to move on. Thank you for so many lovely notes, emails, texts, etc about my retirement from the zoo. They mean a lot. Enjoy!
Pumpkin Fun at the Central Park Zoo October 25, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, banded mongoose, Central Park Zoo, nature, NYC, photography, Pumpkin enrichment, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, Zoos
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One of the best things about this time of year are pumpkins. I normally run a public before hours photo session at the Central Park Zoo featuring pumpkin enrichment for our animals. Like most everything else the session was cancelled this year due to COVID19. I decided to go ahead with the enrichment and thanks to CPZ’s amazing staff we pulled it off. We dismissed with carving and just gave the animals whole pumpkins. It was fun, colorful and enriching for them, the staff and me. If you are a pumpkin nut like me – here’s a trip down memory lane from some of the other pumpkinpalooza events. 2019’s Hello Gourd-geous – 2018’s Pumpkinfest – 2017’s Pumpkin’s a Plenty – 2016’s Pumpkinpalooza. There’s more – but you get the idea. Here’s hoping that next year we are back to ‘normal’ times and we can have a pumpkin photo session again. Please stay safe, wear a mask and social distance. Enjoy the pumpkins. 
Pumpkin-Fest at the Central Park Zoo November 4, 2018
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, banded mongoose, Grizzly bears Betty and Veronica, nature, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, Zoos
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I admit it. One of my favorite days of the year at the Central Park Zoo is Pumpkin Sunday. ‘You get a pumpkin and you get a pumpkin and…’ Our photo workshop last Sunday was a big hit with some very happy photographers, enriched animals, delighted zookeepers and zoo visitors. This was the first in a series of three photography workshops. The next one features hearts, valentines and lots of love. You can sign up here if interested. 
Central Park Zoo in January January 22, 2017
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: banded mongoose, Central Park Zoo, NYC, photography, Red Panda, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, Victoria Crowned Pigeon, wildlife, zoo babies
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It felt good to go back to work at the Central Park Zoo with camera in hand this week. Enjoy!
Summer’s End – Central Park Zoo September 25, 2016
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: banded mongoose, Central Park Zoo, Grizzly bears Betty and Veronica, NYC, Photography Workshop, Red Panda, sea lion, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, wildlife, Zoos
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It is hard to believe that summer is over. Now is a great time to visit your local zoo. The crowds have mostly gone and kids are back in school. Next month the Central Park Zoo will be holding the first of three photo opportunities for animal and camera lovers. First up is – Zoo Views: Animals in Autumn – Saturday, October 22 from 8:30 to 10:30. Click here and sign up. It will be fun. Hope to see you there.
Springtime at the Central Park Zoo March 13, 2016
Posted by judylobo in Traveling.Tags: banded mongoose, Central Park Zoo, Grizzly bears Betty and Veronica, nature, photography, Red Panda, snow leopard, Snow Monkey
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The sky is bluer, the crocus’ have bloomed, the daffodils are peeking their heads through winter’s soil and there is a general feeling that spring is in the air. Come visit.
While at the Zoo 