Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo Beardsley Zoo News

When institutions are new to holding/exhibiting Mexican Gray Wolves, they start off by holding 2-3 animals of the same gender per the USFWS and SSP. If all goes well in the first few years, wolves are moved/brought in to accomodate breeding.

Thanks Gulo gulo :). Seems like CBZ will be housing the females for a few years then, but at least in mid-June the exhibit will be occupied after 9 months of vacancy.
 
It seems the trout that were occupying the tank in Professor Beardsley's Research Station were released recently into the Pequonnock River.
 
The 3 female wolves came from the California Wolf Center. Wolves F1061, F1062, and F1063 were born in April 2007. Here is a description of the wolf move by the Cali Wolf Center itself:
"As one of the largest captive breeding facilities for the critically endangered Mexican gray wolf, the California Wolf Center (CWC)has played a major role in the Species Survival Plan (SSP) for the past twelve years. This morning three of our wolves, F1061, F1062 and F1063 headed to new homes at the Beardsley Zoo in Connecticut to help further the efforts of the Species Survival Plan for the Mexican gray wolf.

Beardsley Zoo has recently been chosen to participate in the SSP program and is now ready to accept their very first pack! This is exciting news because with each new SSP facility the program grows and is able to do more to conserve this rare wolf. Beardlsey Zoo has been working very hard to become an approved SSP center and they have prepared a beautiful wolf habitat to welcome our three females.

The transfer of the wolves means more people will have the opportunity to learn about this unique subspecies of gray wolf. The three females will play an important role in educating the public about this critically endangered animal and the conservation efforts involved in saving them. People need to the opportunity to learn and to connect with these wolves – this personal connection leads to appreciation, understanding, and action. It is because of the efforts of zoos and wildlife centers like Beardsley Zoo and CWC that the Mexican gray wolf is alive today! Learn more about the Beadsley Zoo at: Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

The three females were born in 2007 at the California Wolf Center (bios will be posted later today). While CWC has cared for these wolves since birth and we will be sad to say “goodbye,” we know that Beardsley Zoo will take wonderful care of these animals and will allow them to act as ambassadors for wild wolves. CWC is honored to be able to provide Beadsley Zoo with their pioneer pack.

This historic transfer would not be possible without the support of LightHawk, a non profit air transport organization, whose mission is to “champion environmental protection through the unique perspective of flight.” LightHawk’s volunteer pilot, Jack Long is generously donating his time and the use of his plane to fly our three females to CT. Learn more about LightHawk by visiting their website: LightHawk | Volunteer Pilots Donating Flights to Elevate Conservation "
 
I was at the zoo today, and can report on some new stuff at the zoo:
I saw the camels and they seem to be doing well.
There is at least one Black-Tailed Prairie Dog pup at the zoo, and probably more.
I finally counted the number of deer in the bison/deer exhibit, and there are 5 deer, unless I counted wrong.
The plantings in the soon-to-be leopard exhibit are coming along nicely.
The Cattle Egret is back on display in Alligator Alley.
There are now 2 crane chicks at the zoo! There are 2 Sandhill Crane chicks that spend a lot of time around their mother. The two were hatched on May 30th and the 31st. The father is very aggressive towards zoo staff now, and runs up to the fence whenever he sees the zoo logo. He attacks the fence viciously when a zoo staff member got too close, so I had to back as far away from the fence as I could with my volunteer shirt on.
That third eagle that was in Alligator Alley? I knew he went away somehow, but today I learned he died last fall.
The Guinea Hog piglets and Nigerian Dwarf Goat kids are growing every day.
4 ducklings hatched at the zoo recently. I don't know what breed/species they are. They're on exhibit in a shed across from the Great Horned Owl cage.
The zoo replanted the South American Rainforest aviary and ocelot exhibit.
Instead of one new Emerald Tree Boa, there are actually two new juveniles. The exhibit is split in half to separate the two.
The howler monkeys are now outdoors.
The Map Turtle in Professor Beardsley's Research Station now shares his tank with two catfish.
Photos coming soon!
 
Last edited:
I could be wrong about this but I believe the new wolves that Stone Zoo got were all males so possibly some trading will be going on at some point between the two zoos.
 
I could be wrong about this but I believe the new wolves that Stone Zoo got were all males so possibly some trading will be going on at some point between the two zoos.

yes, five brothers from Oklahoma City Zoo. their names are Motaki, Roberto, Salvadore, Navajo and Boone.
 
I forgot to post this on my last update, but the Bug House is still closed. The reason why is that the government changed permits over how insects could be transported over state borders. Now the zoo is working with another zoo with a great insect collection (the worker that told me couldn't remember the zoo) to bring some cool arthropods to the zoo.
 
Has the zoo always displayed Eastern Newts in the Reptile House? I don't remember seeing them when I went in the fall nor do I remember a big pool in the Grey Treefrog exhibit! If this is all new then it comes from a YouTube video I saw from two months ago.

~Thylo:cool:
 
Has the zoo always displayed Eastern Newts in the Reptile House? I don't remember seeing them when I went in the fall nor do I remember a big pool in the Grey Treefrog exhibit! If this is all new then it comes from a YouTube video I saw from two months ago.

As far as I remember, Eastern Newts were always on display in that pond with the Eastern Gray Treefrog. And there was always that pool. I certainly remember them being in that exhibit before last September.
 
Sophia is still getting adjusted to her yard, and therefore might not always be on exhibit, choosing to stay in her holding. In fact, a friend of mine went to the zoo today, and Sophia was a no-show.
Here's the July newsletter: Zoo News for July 2013
And here's the 2012 Annual Report: http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1100650408973-621/BZ2012AnnualReportFINAL.pdf
From the report, I learned that the zoo added Eastern Hellbenders to their collection (behind-the-scenes) and also welcomed Striped Newt offspring. Also, the green roof will be added to the South American Rainforest this year, and Pampas Plains won't open until late 2014.
Also, the male Sandhill Crane is becoming more relaxed in regards to letting people get near the fence to see his offspring.
 
Last edited:
Just saw this article, and while it provides some decent information regarding the Mexican Wolves now on display, and even a photo, they clearly don't know what they're talking about regarding the Amur Leopard. They say she's from the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo (which doesn't have leopards) in Texas (It's in Indiana). Sofiya is from Saint Louis Zoo.
Wolves and leopard on show at Beardsley Zoo - Connecticut Post

- Actually Fort Wayne Childrens Zoo has leopards in there african section as shown on the zoo map.
 
- I have been there about 7 years ago. I dont remember a ton except for the rainforest building and spectacaled bears. But if you look to the right of the words "African Village" you will see the word "leopard."

If you went 7 years ago, that means you went around 2005 or 2006, correct? A lot changed; WOLF opened (new cabin allows for better views of wolves and expanded wolf habitats), a Bald Eagle exhibit opened (2010), the Andean Bear left the collection (2012), and some other highlights as well. You should visit again in 2014, Pampas Plains will be open.
Oh wow I just noticed that. Thanks for showing me that. I'm wrong everybody. Sofiya the Amur Leopard is not from Saint Louis Zoo. She's from Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. Another member told me earlier in the year she was from Saint Louis, and to be fair they did have a leopard there named Sophia.
 
Back
Top