Our Goal is to Bring You Close Enough to Care
The mission of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo is to conserve, exhibit and interpret a living animal collection in order to promote public recreation, understanding of the relationship between animals and people, and action to sustain the environment we share.
A Word from our Zoo Director
I hope that you fully enjoy your visit to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park. We are especially proud of our zoo, from its focus on animal welfare, to its “green building” status, to its interactive capabilities.
The Rosamond Gifford Zoo prides itself on being an Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited zoo since 1987. As one of 210 accredited zoos and aquariums in the country, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo adheres to a high standard of animal care and conservation responsibility. The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is also a breeding zoo, which works closely with other AZA institutions to help ensure the survival of threatened and endangered species around the world.
Take your time, look at the animals, look at the plants, enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and help us make the world a better place for animals and people. Thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
Chuck Doyle
Zoo DirectorClick for Biographical Information on Chuck Doyle
A Word from the Executive Director of the Friends of the Zoo
The Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo is a non-profit organization that provides special benefits, including free admission to our zoo and reciprocal zoos across the nation, to its members. A membership to the Zoo is one of the best entertainment values in Central New York and pays for itself in less than three visits.
Each year 330,000 visitors view our animals and take advantage of the many ways to learn about our amazing collection. There is Zoo Camp in the summer, Zoo to You and the EdZoocation programs bringing exciting educational programs directly to you and daily on-site demonstrations. The knowledge of our dedicated professional staff will amaze and delight you.
The Friends organization exists to provide financial support to the Zoo through funds dedicated to the welfare of our animals, our educational programs and our family-friendly facilities. It is the generous support of our sponsors, donors, members and Zoo visitors, which enable us to meet this mission. You can be certain that your membership dollars are invested with care and in support of the Zoo. We extend our heartfelt appreciation for your support.
The Friends of the Zoo is honored to partner with Onondaga County in support of a community resource that contributes to the quality of life in the Central New York area. On behalf of my staff, I pledge our efforts to work tirelessly to help sustain the quality and diversity of the animal collection at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park.
For information about the many ways you can support the Zoo, please go to the “Support Our Zoo” section of our Web site.
See you at the Zoo!
Sincerely,
Janet Agostini
Executive Director
Click here for Biographical Information on Janet Agostini
Biographical Information
Charles Doyle
Charles ("Chuck") Doyle began his career at the Burnet Park Zoo in Syracuse, New York in 1976. After serving as a keeper in several areas, he found his niche in the elephant department. He was the Collection Manager for Elephants at the Zoo for more than 10 years, served as Curator of Mammals until 1998 and then as the General Curator of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, supervising upwards of 30 animal staff and monitoring the animal welfare needs of the Zoo's animals. He was appointed as Zoo Director on March 15, 2006.
Chuck has distinguished himself in the field of elephant management. He is a member of the management group of the Species Survival Program for Asian Elephants. Chuck was awarded the President's Award in 1999 and the Founder's Award in 2004 by the Elephant Manager's Association (EMA). Mr. Doyle was also awarded the prestigious President's Award in 2003-2004 by the Associations of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). He is an instructor of Principles of Elephant Management in the AZA's annual Elephant Management School and is the co-founder and past executive director of the EMA. The EMA is an international nonprofit organization of professional elephant handlers, administrators, veterinarians, researchers and elephant enthusiasts dedicated to the welfare of the world's elephants through improved conservation, research, education and communication.
Janet Agostini
Janet, a longtime resident of Central New York, brings a wealth of experience to the Executive Director position. Prior to joining the Friends' staff, she served as Associate Vice President of Student Recruitment and Communications for six years at Onondaga Community College. During her time at the college, she was responsible for marketing, public relations, community relations, college ceremonies and events, and student recruitment. She served on the OCC President’s Cabinet and received the 2005 Trustees Recognition Award for exemplary service.
Janet has also served as the Director of Marketing for CXtec and the Loretto Geriatric Center. She currently serves on the board of Literacy Volunteers of Greater Syracuse and is a graduate of Leadership Greater Syracuse.
“I am looking forward to working closely with Zoo Director Chuck Doyle to continue to make the Rosamond Gifford Zoo one of the best mid-sized zoos in the country,” says Janet. “As Executive Director of the Friends of the Zoo, I will be able to utilize my past business success to shape the future of a cause I so strongly believe in,” she adds. “I am excited about the opportunity to lead an organization that shapes and supports Central New York as a culturally rich and inspired community, actively improving the quality of life offered to Central New York residents.”
As the new Executive Director, she would like to hear from Zoo patrons. You can email comments or suggestions to jagostini@rosamondgiffordzoo.org.
History of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park
1914 Zoo opens on a four-acre site in Burnet Park, managed by the City of Syracuse Parks and Recreation Department
1916 Capital construction begins with the building of stone exhibits for bears and a waterfowl pond 1933 Zoo is enlarged to eight acres and a main building is built at a cost of $50,000 1955 Children’s Zoo and monkey island are constructed 1960s
& 70sZoo falls into a state of disrepair due to shrinking city tax base and subsequent decrease in financial support 1970 Friends of the Burnet Park Zoo is founded 1974 A teen and a friend break into the Zoo, killing and injuring approximately 40 animals, fueling public debate over the future of the Zoo 1978 City of Syracuse receives funding to complete a project to enlarge the Zoo to 18 acres and construct a new perimeter fence, a boardwalk, the western plains and other outdoor exhibits 1979 Onondaga County Parks takes over the management of the Burnet Park Zoo; County Parks staff prepares a 40-page report on plans to renovate the Zoo 1981 A master plan for Zoo renovation is sent to and approved by the Onondaga County legislature; included in the $10 million plan is approval for complete shut down of the “old” Burnet Park Zoo 1982 The “old” Burnet Park Zoo shuts down in October 1983 Capital project begins with a “building breaking” by then County Executive John Mulroy in December, and the Zoo embarks on a $13.1 million project, $2.5 million of which is raised by the Friends of the Burnet Park Zoo 1986 The “new” Burnet Park Zoo opens its doors to the public on August 2 1987 The Burnet Park Zoo receives its initial accreditation from the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) 1993 Zoo’s mission statement is revised; updated communication and collection plans begin 1997 Burnet Park Zoo is re-accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) 1998 Capital campaign is initiated to fund a new conservation/education center, tiger, penguin, seal and rainforest exhibits. The U.S.S. Antiquities exhibit is opened, representing completion of the first phase of the Capital Campaign. 1999 Burnet Park Zoo receives a $2 million endowment from the Rosamond Gifford Charitable Corporation and becomes the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park. The new Amur tiger/Carrol’s Tiger trail opens in the Wild North section of the Zoo. 2000 The Niagara Mohawk Rainforest exhibit opens in the Social Animal building at the Zoo. Groundbreaking takes place for the construction of the Carrier Conservation Education Center. 2001 Three lion cubs from Baton Rouge Zoo go on exhibit, marking the first time in more than 10 years the exhibit had housed lions that were not geriatric. The Zoo to You education outreach program is launched. 2003 Penguin project approved and construction contracts drawn up. 2004 Construction begins on Humboldt Penguin Exhibit . The Zoo celebrates its 90th Anniversary. 2005 Zoo's Penguin Coast Exhibit opens to the public on June 29 with 18 Humboldt Penguins. 2006 The leadership role of the Zoo splits into two; Chuck Doyle is hired as
Zoo Director and Janet Agostini is hired as Executive Director of Friends
of the Zoo.