Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo Beardsley Zoo News
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ZooLover4Life
Well-Known Member
Yes and South Lakes calls itself the world's best zoo.
~Thylo
Well saying you're the best is different that saying the competition doesn't even EXIST!
My, this thread has gotten popular during the one day I wasn't online.
Going back to the original subject, while I enjoy rainforest areas that are high and try to really immerse yourselves in the rainforest experience, I don't go to Beardsley's rainforest expecting that. I go expecting something small yet enjoyable.
Also, when I was younger, I was bothered by the smell, but nowadays I hardly notice it anymore. I'd rather have them fix the less than great areas of the rainforest up before they fix any odor (which is why it's great that they're renovating the Pygmy Marmoset enclosure.) In addition, though you mention that the square footage is small in proportion to the amount of animals, the fact is almost every animal (besides the caimans, ocelot, sakis and howlers) is a relatively small animal that doesn't demand much space. Beardsley doesn't give them a huge amount of space, yet enough for them to move around and carry on with their normal activities (especially noticeable in the boa exhibit, Goeldi's monkey exhibit, and aviary).
Going back to the original subject, while I enjoy rainforest areas that are high and try to really immerse yourselves in the rainforest experience, I don't go to Beardsley's rainforest expecting that. I go expecting something small yet enjoyable.
Also, when I was younger, I was bothered by the smell, but nowadays I hardly notice it anymore. I'd rather have them fix the less than great areas of the rainforest up before they fix any odor (which is why it's great that they're renovating the Pygmy Marmoset enclosure.) In addition, though you mention that the square footage is small in proportion to the amount of animals, the fact is almost every animal (besides the caimans, ocelot, sakis and howlers) is a relatively small animal that doesn't demand much space. Beardsley doesn't give them a huge amount of space, yet enough for them to move around and carry on with their normal activities (especially noticeable in the boa exhibit, Goeldi's monkey exhibit, and aviary).
ZooLover4Life
Well-Known Member
The enclosures for the animal themselves are big enough. It's about the smell. Sq feet when you're talking smell is also about height/anywhere air can move. Also, you could have areas to walk around where the exhibits are just plants/waterfalls and no animals. But that would require a much bigger building obviously.My, this thread has gotten popular during the one day I wasn't online.
Going back to the original subject, while I enjoy rainforest areas that are high and try to really immerse yourselves in the rainforest experience, I don't go to Beardsley's rainforest expecting that. I go expecting something small yet enjoyable.
Also, when I was younger, I was bothered by the smell, but nowadays I hardly notice it anymore. I'd rather have them fix the less than great areas of the rainforest up before they fix any odor (which is why it's great that they're renovating the Pygmy Marmoset enclosure.) In addition, though you mention that the square footage is small in proportion to the amount of animals, the fact is almost every animal (besides the caimans, ocelot, sakis and howlers) is a relatively small animal that doesn't demand much space. Beardsley doesn't give them a huge amount of space, yet enough for them to move around and carry on with their normal activities (especially noticeable in the boa exhibit, Goeldi's monkey exhibit, and aviary).
The Pygmy Marmoset exhibit renovation is complete. I have to say, I'm pleased with how the exhibit came out. There are now more climbing opportunities, live plants, and the exhibit was made at least two feet deeper, creating more space. It's not an amazing exhibit, but it's an improvement over the former habitat. If only they could get another marmoset to join the lone male, Weechie...
The zoo's green roof over the South American Rainforest is finished. The roof will reduce storm water runoff, add insulation to the building, and more.
I currently have no idea why the Greater Rheas are behind the Llama, and neither do a staff member or a docent that I asked. It seems the zoo is changing some plans for the whole South American Adventure, as that was told to me by a docent and the Pampas Plains sign in front of the Llama was taken down. The signs for the rheas in the farmyard are still there.
The Snowy Owls are back in their normal exhibit after it suffered "structural integrity" in the snowstorms of this winter. That means the Black Howlers are in their outdoor exhibit for the summer.
The Pronghorn exhibit is growing grass for the first time in years, and it actually looks pretty good.
The Reptiles of CT building and the Bug House are now open, but the Diamondback Terrapin exhibit is oddly still closed.
UPDATES ON ZOO BABIES:
The North American River Otter pups are almost as large as their parents. The mother of the pups is named Necedah, but is affectionately called Nessie. The zoo decided to name all the otter pups (minus the fourth) after sea monsters, like their mother. Their names are Kraken, Levi, Champ, and Nugget.
The Red Wolf pups are still hesitant to leave their den most of the time. They will occasionally go out and explore, but only for short periods of time. The TV monitor in WOLF is completely focused on the camera in the den the pups are in.
There's not much to report on the Guinea Hog piglets. However the Nigerian Dwarf Goat kids from December aren't on exhibit, so they have probably been sent to Roger Williams Park Zoo for the new farmyard there.
I saw what I am pretty sure is an egg in the Sandhill Crane exhibit on Saturday. However, I didn't see the egg on Sunday. A staff member says this is the first he heard of crane eggs. Perhaps I'll find out next month for a definite answer on the crane egg.
The zoo's green roof over the South American Rainforest is finished. The roof will reduce storm water runoff, add insulation to the building, and more.
I currently have no idea why the Greater Rheas are behind the Llama, and neither do a staff member or a docent that I asked. It seems the zoo is changing some plans for the whole South American Adventure, as that was told to me by a docent and the Pampas Plains sign in front of the Llama was taken down. The signs for the rheas in the farmyard are still there.
The Snowy Owls are back in their normal exhibit after it suffered "structural integrity" in the snowstorms of this winter. That means the Black Howlers are in their outdoor exhibit for the summer.
The Pronghorn exhibit is growing grass for the first time in years, and it actually looks pretty good.
The Reptiles of CT building and the Bug House are now open, but the Diamondback Terrapin exhibit is oddly still closed.
UPDATES ON ZOO BABIES:
The North American River Otter pups are almost as large as their parents. The mother of the pups is named Necedah, but is affectionately called Nessie. The zoo decided to name all the otter pups (minus the fourth) after sea monsters, like their mother. Their names are Kraken, Levi, Champ, and Nugget.
The Red Wolf pups are still hesitant to leave their den most of the time. They will occasionally go out and explore, but only for short periods of time. The TV monitor in WOLF is completely focused on the camera in the den the pups are in.
There's not much to report on the Guinea Hog piglets. However the Nigerian Dwarf Goat kids from December aren't on exhibit, so they have probably been sent to Roger Williams Park Zoo for the new farmyard there.
I saw what I am pretty sure is an egg in the Sandhill Crane exhibit on Saturday. However, I didn't see the egg on Sunday. A staff member says this is the first he heard of crane eggs. Perhaps I'll find out next month for a definite answer on the crane egg.
Do you have a photo of the new marmoset enclosure?
And what's going on with Pampas Plains now anyways?
~Thylo
And what's going on with Pampas Plains now anyways?
~Thylo
Do you have a photo of the new marmoset enclosure?
And what's going on with Pampas Plains now anyways?
~Thylo
Yes, photos will be up in the gallery relatively soon.
Hopefully, Pampas Plains will be complete by summer 2015. The Andean Bears were supposed to arrive next year, but I seriously doubt that's happening, unless they do both projects at the same time. At least the bear exhibit is already paid for.
I forgot to mention that a maze was put up near the Peacock Cafe, which has been the case for the past two years. However, they replaced the tiger maze with a "Conservation Quest" maze this time.
- The Rainforest Reptiles shows have begun and will last until August 17th. That means the Rainforest Reptiles exhibit trailer is now on display in front of where the shows take place. While a lot of the exhibits don't fit the needs of the reptiles and amphibians, at least the horrendous white alligator display isn't there anymore. Here is the website of Rainforest Reptiles. Welcome to Rainforest Reptile Shows
- Anyways, the owner of Rainforest Reptiles has rescued many African Spurred Tortoises from pet owners who don't want them anymore. He has brought 12 with him and they are on display in the former Aldabra/Galapagos Tortoise yard. They will most likely be on exhibit until Labor Day, and possibly longer.
- The Red Wolf pups are still hesitant about coming outside of their den at times.
- Several small saplings have been planted in the Domestic Turkey and Domestic Waterfowl enclosures.
- A note has been placed on the former rhea enclosure that says the rheas are temporarily off-exhibit. While the rheas are behind the llama enclosure (I still don’t know why), the Dexter Cow, Lucy, has been granted access to the exhibit, which is adjacent to her normal pen. She really seemed to be enjoying the tree stump in the rhea pen.
- The barnyard stage renovations are complete, and the stage has been renovated to be more like an amphitheater. In addition, seating for barnyard presentations is now on rows of concrete blocks, and there is grass in between the rows, and the area looks a lot nicer.
- The zoo has once against set up a maze for children this summer. Instead of the normal tiger-themed maze however, this maze has a focus on energy conservation.
- Energize Connecticut Funding Brings A-Maze-Ing Stepping Stones Museum for Children Exhibit to the Zoo | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
Not too much has happened since July, but I do have a few bits of news:
The Dromedary Camels and African Spurred Tortoises left after Labor Day.
The South American Rainforest building has new doors inside the building. Also, I only spotted 2 (instead of 4) Ringed Teals, and the Orinoco Geese were nowhere to be seen.
The Black Howler Monkeys are still occupying their outdoor enclosure.
The green roof on top of the Rainforest building seems to be finished. Also the greenhouse has new solar panels.
In the North American Plains, the bison/deer exhibit was devoid of the latter animal, and I only spotted 1 Pronghorn.
Also the zoo still has Redhead Ducks in their collection.
The Dromedary Camels and African Spurred Tortoises left after Labor Day.
The South American Rainforest building has new doors inside the building. Also, I only spotted 2 (instead of 4) Ringed Teals, and the Orinoco Geese were nowhere to be seen.
The Black Howler Monkeys are still occupying their outdoor enclosure.
The green roof on top of the Rainforest building seems to be finished. Also the greenhouse has new solar panels.
In the North American Plains, the bison/deer exhibit was devoid of the latter animal, and I only spotted 1 Pronghorn.
Also the zoo still has Redhead Ducks in their collection.
The zoo received Top Honors for the AZA 2014 Education Award for its Conservation Discovery Corps (CDC) program.
Beardsley Zoo?s education program gets national award | Bridgeport News
Beardsley Zoo?s education program gets national award | Bridgeport News
Over Columbus Day weekend, 6 Nigerian Dwarf Goats were born. 1.2 were born to Peaches on October 10th, and 2.1 were born to Cupcake on October 12th. Rodney is the father of all six.
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs134/1100650408973/archive/1118860000476.html
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs134/1100650408973/archive/1118860000476.html
Construction on Pampas Plains has finally begun! A few areas are fenced off near the Maned Wolf and Llama exhibits, a bulldozer sits in the Llama exhibit, and the boardwalk for viewing the Maned Wolves has been torn down.
Lawrence the Llama is now residing in the former rhea exhibit.
The Chacoan Peccaries are off-exhibit for the winter, the prairie dogs have retreated into their burrows, and I did not notice any alligators on exhibit, even though they have a heated pool.
The first of the two Amur Leopard habitats is closed, meaning the leopard is only viewable in the second enclosure.
The Nigerian Dwarf Goat kids are on exhibit, and quite active. The Guinea Hog piglets have been sent away. The Red Wolf and North American River Otter offspring from earlier this year are still at the zoo and with their respective families.
Lawrence the Llama is now residing in the former rhea exhibit.
The Chacoan Peccaries are off-exhibit for the winter, the prairie dogs have retreated into their burrows, and I did not notice any alligators on exhibit, even though they have a heated pool.
The first of the two Amur Leopard habitats is closed, meaning the leopard is only viewable in the second enclosure.
The Nigerian Dwarf Goat kids are on exhibit, and quite active. The Guinea Hog piglets have been sent away. The Red Wolf and North American River Otter offspring from earlier this year are still at the zoo and with their respective families.
I was just emailed the zoo's January 2015 newsletter and I have to say there's quite a bit of news to be told!
First off, the email confirms that the Amur Leopard pair came from the Copenhagen Zoo and that the female Sofiya was sent to the Maryland Zoo.
Second, the zoo has brought/is bringing in quite a few new arrivals for 2015! 1.0 Amur Tiger from Indianapolis Zoo, 1.1 Pygmy Marmosets from Fort Wayne's Children Zoo and Brevard Zoo, 1.1 Red Wolves from the "Wolf Center" (I'm assuming they mean the Wolf Conservational Center in Salem, New York), 3.0 Vicuña from the Berlin Zoo, and 1.1 Giant Anteaters from the Dreher Park Zoo. Additionally, the zoo has received 0.0.2 Yellow-Spotted Amazon River Turtles, 0.0.1 "Purple Gallinule" (not sure if they mean Porphyrio porphyrio or Porphyrio martinicus), 0.0.3 Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks, and 0.0.3 Arrau Turtles.
Finally, due to all of these new arrivals, the zoo has had to send out 1.0 Amur Tiger, 2.3 North American River Otters, 1.0 Common Marmoset, 1.0 Pygmy Marmoset, and 2.3 Red Wolves.
Personally, I'm very excited with all these new animals!
It shows the zoo is finally getting itself together again and moving forward in the zoo world!
The only questions I have are regarding some of the animals they've sent out. Are the 2.3 otters just the pups or have they gone completely out of the species? And if so, what will replace them? Also, since when did the zoo have 1.0 Common Marmoset!? And where was he being held?!
~Thylo
First off, the email confirms that the Amur Leopard pair came from the Copenhagen Zoo and that the female Sofiya was sent to the Maryland Zoo.
Second, the zoo has brought/is bringing in quite a few new arrivals for 2015! 1.0 Amur Tiger from Indianapolis Zoo, 1.1 Pygmy Marmosets from Fort Wayne's Children Zoo and Brevard Zoo, 1.1 Red Wolves from the "Wolf Center" (I'm assuming they mean the Wolf Conservational Center in Salem, New York), 3.0 Vicuña from the Berlin Zoo, and 1.1 Giant Anteaters from the Dreher Park Zoo. Additionally, the zoo has received 0.0.2 Yellow-Spotted Amazon River Turtles, 0.0.1 "Purple Gallinule" (not sure if they mean Porphyrio porphyrio or Porphyrio martinicus), 0.0.3 Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks, and 0.0.3 Arrau Turtles.
Finally, due to all of these new arrivals, the zoo has had to send out 1.0 Amur Tiger, 2.3 North American River Otters, 1.0 Common Marmoset, 1.0 Pygmy Marmoset, and 2.3 Red Wolves.
Personally, I'm very excited with all these new animals!
It shows the zoo is finally getting itself together again and moving forward in the zoo world!The only questions I have are regarding some of the animals they've sent out. Are the 2.3 otters just the pups or have they gone completely out of the species? And if so, what will replace them? Also, since when did the zoo have 1.0 Common Marmoset!? And where was he being held?!
~Thylo
Very excited to hear about all these new acquisitions! By Dreher Park Zoo, is that Palm Beach Zoo?I was just emailed the zoo's January 2015 newsletter and I have to say there's quite a bit of news to be told!
First off, the email confirms that the Amur Leopard pair came from the Copenhagen Zoo and that the female Sofiya was sent to the Maryland Zoo.
Second, the zoo has brought/is bringing in quite a few new arrivals for 2015! 1.0 Amur Tiger from Indianapolis Zoo, 1.1 Pygmy Marmosets from Fort Wayne's Children Zoo and Brevard Zoo, 1.1 Red Wolves from the "Wolf Center" (I'm assuming they mean the Wolf Conservational Center in Salem, New York), 3.0 Vicuña from the Berlin Zoo, and 1.1 Giant Anteaters from the Dreher Park Zoo. Additionally, the zoo has received 0.0.2 Yellow-Spotted Amazon River Turtles, 0.0.1 "Purple Gallinule" (not sure if they mean Porphyrio porphyrio or Porphyrio martinicus), 0.0.3 Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks, and 0.0.3 Arrau Turtles.
Finally, due to all of these new arrivals, the zoo has had to send out 1.0 Amur Tiger, 2.3 North American River Otters, 1.0 Common Marmoset, 1.0 Pygmy Marmoset, and 2.3 Red Wolves.
Personally, I'm very excited with all these new animals!
The only questions I have are regarding some of the animals they've sent out. Are the 2.3 otters just the pups or have they gone completely out of the species? And if so, what will replace them? Also, since when did the zoo have 1.0 Common Marmoset!? And where was he being held?!
~Thylo
Sounds like they're going to try breeding Pygmy Marmosets again, and they're trying another individual tiger for breeding.
The zoo had 2.2 otter pups, so either they made a typo regarding the females, or they sent out the mother otter, Necedah, too. I know one otter offspring went to Maritime Aquarium. But it does not sound like the zoo sent out their male, Rizzo. Plus, they wouldn't dare send out their river otters permanently, as they are one of the most popular animals.
A Common Marmoset being illegally kept as a pet scratched a girl in February, and the DEEP seized the animal and kept it at Beardsley. I don't remember where the marmoset went to.
Monkey Scratch Gets Mom in Trouble | NBC Connecticut
Indeed! No idea, just copied what the email had said.
Well let's hope for the best this time!
Perhaps they're going to bring in a new female or maybe even a whole new pair and send Rizzo out later. It does make sense to keep your blood fresh if you plan on further breeding a species. Yeah I know they're very popular, that's why I was confused when I thought they went out of the species. For a split second when I originally read the email, they had Arrau Turtle as "Giant River Turtle" and thought it said Giant River Otter and got excited
Oh okay. Shame it never went on-exhibit.
~Thylo
BTW I'm pretty sure the zoo acquired American Purple Gallinule.Indeed! No idea, just copied what the email had said.
Well let's hope for the best this time!
Perhaps they're going to bring in a new female or maybe even a whole new pair and send Rizzo out later. It does make sense to keep your blood fresh if you plan on further breeding a species. Yeah I know they're very popular, that's why I was confused when I thought they went out of the species. For a split second when I originally read the email, they had Arrau Turtle as "Giant River Turtle" and thought it said Giant River Otter and got excited
Oh okay. Shame it never went on-exhibit.
~Thylo
Oh well, pretty sure it's Palm Beach. Hopefully this newest pairing will result in tiger cubs. 2015 will mark 10 years since the last litter!
It's possible that they're doing that with the otters. Maybe the Giant Otters are why you thought they were sending out NARO's.
Part of me wishes it went on exhibit as well, but there's not really any extra space to display it in the South American Rainforest. Plus they probably didn't want it to get used to a new home and then have to move it to another zoo quickly.
Yeah I'd put my money on American Purple Gallinule since it fits in the Alligator Alley aviary well and Purple Swamphen doesn't really work anywhere on-show atm.
Even though Giant Otters wouldn't exactly fit well into the theme of Alligator Alley, I'm not sure I'd mind too much
True.
~Thylo
Even though Giant Otters wouldn't exactly fit well into the theme of Alligator Alley, I'm not sure I'd mind too much
True.
~Thylo