On weekends, the Zoo may experience high attendance. For your safety and guest experience, the Zoo may need to limit parking once the lots are full. We typically reopen the parking lots once guests start leaving and spaces open. Check on our social media or website for up-to-date information on parking status. Read our tips for visiting.
Insect populations are declining across the world. One iconic species that have suffered steep declines in recent decades is the monarch butterfly. One of the reasons for these declines is a lack of food and shelter during their annual journey between the northern United States and Mexico. To support migratory monarchs during their annual migration, the North Carolina Zoo has set up several Monarch Waystations. The Zoo’s Waystations were carefully planned to support the monarchs through all their life stages. The Zoo is currently experimenting with different plant mixes to better understand which plants are most liked by the monarchs, as well as other pollinating insects visiting the Zoo grounds. You can read more about the Zoo’s work on wild pollinators below, under related resources.
The honey bee hive allows guests to observe a bee hive and learn about their behaviors while seeing them in a safe, natural setting. The bees use native plants throughout the Zoo to gather nectar and pollen. The Zoo has also planted some bee-friendly plants in the area.
The North Carolina Zoo has set up several Pollination Stations to support species like the monarch during their annual migration.