Accessibility

With 265 acres of parkland home to more than 4,000 animals, there's plenty for all our guests to experience and enjoy. Due to natural terrain of our park, we recommend that guests with mobility concerns arrive to the Southern Blvd entrance. This entrance has fewer incline changes and is closer to the central section of the zoo.

The Accessibility Map is intended to help facilitate your visit by providing general information on the accessibility of zoo grounds and exhibits. Please use it along with the Interactive Zoo Map for complete information regarding exhibits and rides.

This webpage provides information and identifies the accommodations we are broadly able to provide. For additional questions, or assistance with visit planning, please contact Guest Relations at guestrelations@wcs.org or 718-220-5103. Due to high volume of correspondence, we recommend reaching out at least 7 days prior to a planned visit.

AudioEye Tools are off


AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE

Asl interpreters will be available on select dates during holiday lights for wildlife theater shows.

Check back in the future for specific program dates.


Ride Access for Guests Using Wheelchairs

Boarding requirements and accommodations

Bug Carousel

Year-round. Accessible via ramp loading for manual wheelchairs.

Nature Trek

Year-round. Wheelchair accessible route through towers/bridges and nature play zone for manual and electric wheelchairs. ECVs are not permitted.

Wild Asia Monorail

May – Oct. Accessible for manual wheelchairs up to 26" wide. Guests using motorized scooters or wheelchairs wider than 26" (which includes Zoo rental wheelchairs) have the option of being assisted by a member of their party either into an appropriate-sized wheelchair (available at Monorail platform), or, if possible, onto a Monorail seat.*

Zoo Shuttle

April – Oct. Wheelchair accessible by ramp. Can accommodate standard wheelchairs and most electric wheelchairs or small scooters, but not Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs). Due to the 4-wheel, heavy-duty construction of the zoo rental ECVs, they cannot be loaded onto the shuttle.

*Please note that Zoo staff members are not permitted to physically transfer guests from wheelchairs.


Mobility Assistance

Manual Wheelchairs: A limited supply is available for loan. Available on a first come first serve basis at any entrance gate.

Electronic Convenience Vehicles (ECVs): A limited supply is available for rent from SOUTHERN BOULEVARD GATE ONLY. $50.63 rental. Users must be 18 years or older and present a photo ID. Available on a first come first serve basis.

Due to the heavy-duty 4-wheel construction and maneuverability of this rental ECV, there are some restrictions for use in the zoo:

  • ECV cannot be loaded on to the Zoo Shuttle.
  • ECV cannot be loaded onto rides. Must be parked prior to entry at Bug Carousel, Monorail.
  • ECV is not permitted into Budgie Landing. For animal safety, ECV must be parked before entry to the attraction. If additional mobility assistance is needed, please see staff at ticket booth.
  • Caution: Do not drive into Himalayan Highlands exhibit (snow leopards/red panda), due to steep incline and uneven surface.

Strollers As Wheelchairs: Many exhibits have stroller restrictions and require guests to self-park strollers prior to entering. Guests with disabilities who need to remain in a stroller while visiting an indoor attraction should contact Guest Relations in advance of your visit to inquire about a Guest Assistance Card to designate this accommodation for your visit.

Zoo Shuttle: Seasonal, April – October. Weather permitting. Transportation across the park. Included with Bronx Zoo Admission ticket type. Free for seniors. Loading at Southern Boulevard Gate to get off at Asia Plaza. Loading at Asia Plaza/Nature Trek to get off at either World of Birds (Bx River Gate) or Southern Boulevard Gate.


Security & First Aid

In case of emergency, please notify Security at 718-220-5063.
First Aid is located next to the Bronx Zoo Store.


Zoo Shuttle

Please note that guests may only bring folded strollers on board the Zoo Shuttle, space permitting.


All buildings are wheelchair-accessible.

Exhibit Steep Hill Rough Terrain Assistive Listening Touch Exhibit Low Light
African Wild Dogs X
Baboon Reserve X X
Butterfly Garden X
Children's Zoo X X
Congo Gorilla Forest X X X
JungleWorld X
Madagascar! X X
Sea Bird Aviary X
Tiger Mountain X X
Wild Asia Monorail X
World of Birds X X
World of Reptiles X

Sensory Sensitivity

The Bronx Zoo partnered with KultureCity to improve the Zoo’s ability to assist and accommodate guests with sensory processing needs. The objective is to provide an inclusive and seamless experience for every guest, regardless of age and ability, including those with sensory processing disorders (SPDs). The Zoo has installed signage identifying quiet zones and headphone zones to help visitors as they explore the Zoo grounds.

Preparing for My Trip to the Zoo

Preparing to visit Holiday Lights

Preparing to visit Pumpkin Nights

Sensory Bags

Sensory bags containing fidget tools, noise-reducing headphones and other resources, are available for checkout (at no cost by leaving an ID) at the Guest Relations desk next to the Sea Lion Pool.

Quiet Zones

The zoo has designated “Quiet Zones” throughout the park. These areas typically have less activity and spaces to sit and regroup after becoming overstimulated.

Quiet and Calm Zones are in the following locations:

  • Rhino Garden
  • Zebra Hill
  • Area adjacent to Bears

Headphone Zones

We have identified areas that are noisy and where guests tend to linger as “Headphone Zones.”

These areas include:

  • Bug Carousel
  • Wild Asia Monorail
  • Children’s Zoo
  • Budgie Landing

Staff Training

Another aspect of the KultureCity partnership involved training Zoo staff members to increase understanding of SPDs, informing them about the efforts the Bronx Zoo is making to better serve the community and to discuss strategies each department can implement to support this initiative.


Personal Care Assistant

All guests with disabilities must have a valid form of admission to the zoo. If a person with a disability requires a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) to experience the zoo, accommodations will be made for their visit. Reservations for the primary guest needs to be made in advance. Once a reservation is made, please contact guestrelations@wcs.org and provide the reservation Order number for assistance on PCA ticketing (subject: PCA admission). Due to high volume of correspondence, we recommend reaching out at least 7 days prior to a planned visit.

For groups of 10 or more, please contact Group Sales for ticketing assistance with PCA accommodations. wcsgroupsales@wcs.org (subject: PCA admission)

Proof of vaccination is not required for a visit. Masks are recommended, but not required, and can be used based on personal preference. Guests and staff may continue to wear masks for a variety of reasons, so please be kind and considerate of others.

Policies are subject to change, and all guests must abide by the park rules in effect on the date of visit. When changes happen, we make every effort to align our website and park signage with updates in a timely manner. Always check the Know Before You Go page before you arrive for the most up-to-date information.

Check out our interactive map!

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