It consists of a mixture of outdoor and indoor animal enclosures, a petting zoo, nature trails, and other amenities.

[2] In 2000, a 15.5-foot-tall (4.7 m) metal sculpture of a watering can, originally built using city funds by request of Mayor Ed Hanna, was obtained by the zoo.

Between 2015 and 2018, the zoo held fundraising campaigns to rehabilitate the primate building, and received grants from the state and county.

[14] In 2020, the Utica Zoo acquired the Beaversprite nature sanctuary in Fulton County, New York.

[15] In 2021 the zoo rehomed its California sea lions after determining the exhibit was too small for them to exercise freely.

[18] The Utica Zoo has participated in in situ conservation and research projects for nearby populations of frosted elfins, Chittenango ovate amber snails, and turtles.