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!
Ya gotta know when to fold ’em (part one) July 14, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, big cats, Central Park Zoo, nature, NYC, photography, retirement, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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After 35 wonderful years at the Central Park Zoo, first as a volunteer Friday Zoo Guide for 20 years and then 15 years as their photographer I decided it was time to hang up my lens. As they say ‘ya gotta know when to fold ‘em’ and seemed like the right time to retire. This blog was started 20 years ago as a way to share all of the photos I took ‘while at the zoo.’ I met many of you through my occasional weekend themed photo classes where you got special access to our collection before zoo hours and others if you worked at the the zoo. To the rest of my subscribers I thank you for being part of my Sunday posts. I already miss the amazing staff at CPZ and of course miss our beautiful collection of animals. Am I going to continue this blog? Absolutely! Will I keep going to zoos? Most definitely! Today’s montage is Part One of some of my favorite photos I took over those years (past and present). I hope you stay along for the ride and my next chapter in life. 
Ghost of the Mountains October 22, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: art, big cats, Ghost of the Mountains, International Snow Leoard Day, nature, photography, snow leopard, Snow Leopard cubs, travel, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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Tomorrow is International Snow Leopard Day and my birthday. Snow leopards are known as the ‘ghost of the mountains’ because of their solitary and elusive nature. I sometimes am solitary and elusive too. Cheers to these gorgeous cats (and me). For more information about these gorgeous and endangered cats click here. 
King of the Jungle August 13, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Big Cat Initiative, big cats, Lion, nature, photography, wildlife, World Lion Day, Zoos
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Thursday was World Lion Day and is celebrated annually on August 10 to raise awareness of the sharp decline in lion populations due to threats ranging from habitat loss to illegal hunting. The day was established in 2013 by environmentalists Dereck and Beverly Joubert, founders of the Big Cat Initiative. Today’s photo montage is dedicated to these beautiful cats.
March Madness March 26, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Audrey and Roberta, Benny the dog, big cats, Grizzly bears Betty and Veronica, Gus the polar bear, NYC, photography, wildlife
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I am not a sports fan. I still mourn the Dodgers leaving Brooklyn. But since everyone is talking about brackets and basketball I thought I would share the type of ball playing that I like to watch. It was great fun searching my photo archives looking for balls as enrichment. Score!
The March that Roared February 28, 2021
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, big cats, nature, photography, wildlife, Zoos
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Tomorrow is March 1st. Of course we all know the phrase ‘March come in like a lion and out like a lamb’. But did you know that almost every day in March there is some type of holiday. Some of them are silly and some noteworthy. My personal favorites are National Pig day, National Pi Day, The Ides of March, St Patrick’s Day, Earth Day, Spring Equinox and Passover which begins March 27 this year. Enjoy some of these big cats and continue to stay safe, wash those hands and mask up. Spring is coming. 
Throwing Shade September 20, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Audrey and Roberta, big cats, James Madison HS, photography, RBG, Sea Ducks, Snow Leopard cubs, wildlife, Zoos
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It is day 191 for me being home during COVID19. Today I address the changing upcoming season. Our shadows get longer as we head towards fall and winter. I thought you might enjoy seeing some shade being thrown by some of our zoo friends. I know it is not the contemporary meaning of ‘throwing shade’ but it did make me laugh. Stay safe, avoid crowds and wear a mask please. This Sunday’s photo montage is dedicated to the one and only RBG. At the bottom of today’s photos please note the dedicated chair in RBG’s name at our mutual 
high school auditorium. Brooklyn’s best – James Madison High School.
Daddy Dearest June 21, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, big cats, Father's Day, lion cubs, nature, photography, wildlife, zoo babies, Zoos
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This is day 102 for me being home during the COVID19 pandemic. Tomorrow NYC enters phase 2. Woot, woot! Outdoor dining, indoor shopping, haircuts and playgrounds reopen. Not sure I will be doing any of those – but we shall see. I do hope you have been staying healthy, safe and wearing your masks. Not only is today Father’s Day but it is the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. While most caregivers in the animal kingdom are mothers, there are some father’s who join in the role as caregiver. I salute all of those father’s out there in today’s photo montage. The photo above today’s salute is of my father and me. The photo was taken (circa) at the beginning of time.
Hide and Seek May 31, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: big cats, nature, photography, Red Panda, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, wildlife, Zoos
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This is day 81of my being home during COVID19. Hope everyone is keeping safe and healthy. Last week my Sunday montage featured a children’s game called Duck, Duck, Goose! I am continuing the theme of Children’s games this week with another popular game, Hide and Seek. Sometimes at zoos when we approach an exhibit the animal is hard to find. If you keep looking carefully all of a sudden you finally see the animal and they have been staring at you. That also happens at home with my three cats. Enjoy!
Bye Bye Summer September 8, 2019
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, big cats, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop, Red Panda, travel, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
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We are off on zoocation for the next couple of weeks celebrating 15 years of zoocationing with a trip to the Pacific Northwest. Looking to reunite with some old friends and to make some new ones along the way. As we leave summer I salute the animal collection at my home base, the Central Park Zoo.
While at the Zoo 