Quack! January 18, 2026
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, Central Park Zoo, nature, NYC, photography, Sea Ducks, waterfowl, wildlife, World Waterfowl Day, zoo babies, Zoos
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Yesterday (January 17th) was the second World Waterfowl Day. The goal is to spread awareness, knowledge, and interest for waterfowl, as well as the conservation of these birds and their habitats.This group of birds is comprised of more than 170 species of ducks, geese, and swans found throughout the world’s wetlands. Sadly, one-third of all wild waterfowl are considered threatened or endangered. Habitat loss and human population growth are the primary causes of waterfowl declines. Water pollution from agricultural runoff, waste, and other contaminants destroy the food sources for waterfowl. As wetlands are destroyed, so are essential spots for breeding, nesting, and feeding. World Waterfowl Day presents an opportunity for all to work towards the protection, conservation and reproduction of all waterfowl species to stop them from being in danger of extinction. Waterfowl are incredibly adaptable and can be found on every continent except Antarctica. In fact, they thrive in almost any environment that is near water. Protecting waterfowl is crucial. The loss of one species from our ecosystem can have an effect on other species. By protecting waterfowl, we are not only safeguarding the natural world but also the habitats that many other living things rely on – including humans! Enjoy just a small photo sampling of some of these beautiful species.
‘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.’ 
Who doesn’t love a red panda? September 22, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, Central Park Zoo, International Red Panda Day, Nashville Zoo, nature, photography, Prospect Park Zoo, Red Panda, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
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Yesterday was International Red Panda Day. Their habitat is being destroyed by deforestation, agriculture, and human settlement, and they are also hunted for their fur and body parts. International Red Panda Day was initiated by the Red Panda Network in 2010 as a way to raise awareness and promote conservation efforts for red pandas.It is celebrated to spread awareness about a species that is near extinction. The day was launched by the Red Panda Network in 2010. At that time, 16 schools and a few zoos participated in red panda activities. Currently, more than 60 zoos around the world participate, with over 100,000 visitors on Red Panda Day. On our many zoocations we have come across lots of red pandas with Tennessee seeming to have the most. Other than being absolutely adorable it is almost impossible to take a bad photo of a red panda.
International Primate Day September 1, 2024
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, baby animals, Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Kansas City Zoo, Memphis Zoo, nature, New Zoo, photography, Potawatomi Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Staen Island Zoo, Toledo Zoo, wildlife, zoo babies, zoocation, Zoos
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Today is International Primate Day! The order Primates is one of the most species-rich groups of mammals, third only to Bats and Rodents. Over 500 species belong to the primate order, including lemurs, tarsiers, monkeys, and apes! Two thirds of all primates can be found in just four countries – Brazil, Madagascar, Indonesia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Primates mostly live in the jungles of Central & South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. However there are a few unique species that live in temperate areas, where there are warm summers, but winters can become very cold and snowy. Most primates are found living near the equator. Primates, ranging from charismatic chimpanzees and the gentle gorillas to the elusive monkeys that share a unique connection with humans due to their striking similarities in behavior, intelligence, and genetic makeup. More than one-third of primate species are considered critically endangered or vulnerable according to the IUCN (The International Union for Conservation of Nature). Primates serve an important role in maintaining healthy forests and ecosystem, which is why protecting them is so important. It was fun putting together today’s montage and revisiting many of the zoos that we have been happy to visit. Enjoy today’s post my fellow primates!
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!
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. 
Parting Shots of 2023 December 31, 2023
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: 2023, animals, baby animals, Butts, Central Park Zoo, Happy new year, nature, NYC, photo montage, photography, Snow Monkey, Tushes, wildlife, Zoos
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Today’s montage completes 20 years of my sending out these Sunday photos. By my calculations (and I won the math award in eighth grade) that’s over 1000 Sunday photo montages. Yikes! Thanks for coming along for the ride. Some of you have been with me for the entire 20 years. I am very thankful for that and welcome all of my new subscribers. Hoping to do my best to keep posting on Sundays. I leave you as always with no ‘ifs, just ends, butts and tushies.’ Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy New Year. 
While at the Zoo 