The International Conservation Center is open to the public only during scheduled events, classes, and experiences, or for available venue bookings. Guests must have a ticket/proof of purchase or be visiting on a listed public visitation day to gain entry.
Guests visiting the International Conservtation Center will experience a living park with live animals in a primarily outdoor setting, subject to all weather conditions. Due to changing conditions including health, safety, operational, or weather concerns, certain animals may be unavailable for viewing, and areas of the center may close unexpectedly.
Please observe the following policies for the health and safety of your group, our animals, and staff members. The Conservation Center defaults to the policies of the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium unless otherwise noted.
Ticketing policies are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the Pittsburgh Zoo and the Conservation Center.
The International Conservation Center is a rain-or-shine facility. Provided the Conservation Center is able to open and maintain basic operation, we adhere to a no-refund, no-credit, no-substitution, no-rain check policy.
The Conservation Center retains the right to cancel an event. Guests with pre-purchased tickets for a specific event will be offered a reschedule or refund opportunity, at the discretion of the Conservation Center.
All rescheduling requests are evaluated at the discretion of the Conservation Center. Rescheduling requests are not guaranteed.
Only tickets obtained from the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium/Conservation Center or parties authorized by the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium to sell/distribute tickets will be honored. To verify authenticity, contact the Zoo at 412-665-3640, ext. 0. Any imitation or altered version of an official Zoo ticket—digital or physical—will be refused entry without exception. Our scanning system validates all tickets, and fraudulent submissions will result in denied admission and possible removal from Zoo grounds. We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring fair access for all guests.
Zoo tickets purchased and not used will not be refunded.
By purchasing tickets, you agree to the Zoo’s visitation policies.
Guests are to stay on public pathways only. Barriers between you and the animals such as rails, rocks, and fencing are there for the safety and protection of both you and the animals. Please do not lift children over rails or barriers, allow them to play on rocks, rest them on railings, or stick fingers or arms through fences. Do not enter non-public areas and stay on the main pathway and in guest areas at all times. Violators will be prosecuted.
Please do not feed any animals at the Conservation Center. Resident animals are not domesticated pets and all of our animals’ diets are closely monitored by our vet and keeper staff. Please observe all safety requirements.
Personal pets are not permitted on grounds or unattended in cars. Guests must leave pets at home or arrange for off-grounds pet care services. Guests with service animals are welcome.
The Zoo and Conservation Center cannot assist with or accept found/injured wild animals from the general public. The Zoo works with official local, regional, and international networks to assist in such cases.
Certain items are dangerous for resident animals and are not permitted on grounds. Please see “Prohibited Items” below on this page.
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium and the International Conservation Center respect the wildlife we care for, the communities we serve, and our teams. The Zoo and Conservation Center prohibits behavior that is intentionally disruptive to any fellow guest, volunteer, vendor, member or staff, or wildlife. Such behavior can include, but is not limited to, harassment, intimidation, and/or discrimination of any kind, including physical, verbal, or non-verbal abuse. Violation of this policy can result in removal from the premises without refund, and/or permanent ban from the grounds.
The use of tobacco products, as well as all smoking and vaping, is prohibited on grounds. Guests must leave grounds to use these products.
The following items are prohibited on grounds:
- Weapons of any kind.
- Outside alcohol.
- Tobacco, smoking, or vaping products.
- Non-mobility wheeled devices: heelys, skateboards, rollerblades, bicycles, standing scooters, hoverboards, roller skates, and personal go-carts. Unauthorized motorized vehicles other than wheelchairs or mobility scooters are not permitted on the paths.
- Balloons, disposable straws, loose glitter and confetti, glass containers, laser pointers, and any objects intended for throwing (balls, Frisbees, paddleballs, etc.), which can be very dangerous to animals.
- Drones are not permitted to be brought onto or fly above grounds.
- Any animal or pet that is not a service animal. Please note animals may not be left in cars; pets and non-service animals should not be brought to the Conservation Center.
Any item not permitted must be disposed of by a guest, returned to vehicles, or removed from grounds in the case of non-service animals. Prohibited items may not be left in the care of the Conservation Center; the Conservation Center will not be responsible for the safe-keeping of any prohibited item.
Please reference the Pittsburgh Zoo Information Page to verify any additional information on prohibited items.
As a venue attended by the public, please be aware that cameras and recording devices will exist in public areas of grounds during your visit.
The Zoo and Conservation Center utilize cameras for business purposes including safety and promotion. Zoo employees frequently capture media of our grounds for promotional use, including photos and videos. Your visit to the Conservation Center constitutes implied consent for you and your party members to be captured on media for Zoo and Conservation Center promotional and informative purposes. Media may be published in any format, in whole or in part, in print and digital materials such as, but not limited to, the Zoo’s website, social media, email communications, video/commercials, radio/podcasts, and a variety of publications such as advertisements, newsletters, flyers, and billboards.
Third party commercial media may not be collected on grounds without approval from the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. The Zoo and Conservation Center may partner with third parties, including but not limited to sponsors, vendors, private rental clients, and media production companies, to which we may provide Zoo-captured media, or which may also acquire their own media. Participation in activities on Zoo and Conservation Center grounds related to these third parties implies consent to have media captured for use by these third parties.
Please see the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium Information Page for further details on personal media and requests for professional or student media access.