The Central Park Zoo, located at the southeast corner of Central Park in New York City, covers an area of 6.5 acres. It is an integral part of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), an organization that manages a system of four zoos and one aquarium in New York City. The zoo is home to over 130 species, including grizzly bears, leaf cutter ants, 23 species of waterfowl, and 74 penguins (such as chinstrap, gentoo, macaroni, and king penguins). Visitors can see more than 1,400 animals in diverse habitats ranging from a tropical rainforest to an icy Antarctic environment​​​​​​​​.

The history of the Central Park Zoo dates back to 1864 when its precursor, a menagerie, was founded, making it the first public zoo in New York. The current facility opened in 1934 and underwent a major reconstruction in 1983. This five-year, $35 million renovation replaced old cages with naturalistic environments. The zoo reopened in 1988 and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). It also includes the Children's Zoo, which opened in 1960, funded by a donation from Senator Herbert Lehman and his wife Edith​​.

The zoo draws over a million visitors annually and features more than 1,487 animals representing 163 species. Its major exhibit areas, linked by trellised, vine-clad, glass-roofed pergolas, are categorized into tropic, temperate, and polar regions. Some of the key exhibits include the Tropic Zone: The Rainforest, Polar Circle, Temperate Territory, The Children's Zoo, and the Sea Lion Pool​​.

In the Tropic Zone, visitors can find a two-story representation of a rainforest, housing diverse species like Rodrigues flying foxes, Seba's short-tailed bats, emerald tree boas, pythons, and a variety of birds. The Temperate Territory hosts animals such as red pandas, white-naped cranes, snow monkeys, and snow leopards. The "Penguins and Sea Birds" section features a variety of penguins, tufted puffins, harbor seals, and a grizzly bear exhibit​​.

Notably, the zoo also includes a 4D theater and features several works of public art, including original animal-themed limestone friezes from 1934 and the Lehman Gates, donated by Herbert and Edith Lehman in 1960. The Children's Zoo offers a petting zoo with animals like mini Nubian goats, sheep, pigs, alpacas, and the only cow in Manhattan. It also houses the Acorn Theatre, a performing arts theater​​​​​​.

The Central Park Zoo plays a vital role in wildlife conservation, coordinating breeding programs for endangered species as part of the Species Survival Plan. It has achieved notable successes, such as being the first North American zoo to hatch ducklings of the critically endangered scaly-sided mergansers. Additionally, it offers various educational venues and programs, including a volunteer program that engages community members​​.