Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo Beardsley Zoo News

Okay, I now feel comfortable revealing information that I was told to keep secret for a while. It is about a new cat addition to Beardsley Zoo. Here goes the story.
In spring of 2012, a baby Bobcat was orphaned when his mom was likely hit by a car. The DEP couldn't find anybody liscenced to take care of an orphaned Bobcat, so the cub was brought to Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo. He was named Beeze and was taken care of. However, they did not plan for him to put him on exhibit. Instead, they decided to make him an ambassador animal. From May to August, they got him more comfortable with humans and trained him. On August 21, he made his debut to the public.
Beeze - our bobcat animal ambassador | Facebook
Baby bobcat gets ready for new home - Connecticut Post
http://beardsleyzoo.org/node/538
This makes for 5 cat species at CT's only zoo! Hopefully there will be 6 by spring! Best of luck Beeze! I will try to upload my photos of him soon from when he was 12 weeks old.:)
Oooh, this is the 100th post on this thread! :D
 
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I'm going to try to get to the zoo next week to see all the new stuff (Rainforest Reptiles, Pronghorn baby, the Giant Tortoises). I have more info on Rainforest Reptiles itself. Some species in the show are:
Gaboon Viper, Burmese Python, American Alligator, Nile Crocodile, Chinese Alligator, Alligator Snapping Turtle, and more. The reptiles can be seen in a trailer, as the zoo doesn't own the reptiles. Shows are Mon–Wed 12:30 pm, Thurs/Fri 10:30 am & 12:30 pm, and Sat/Sun 10:30 am, 12:30 & 2:30 pm. Show runs 30 minutes & is free with paid admission to the zoo. Maybe I can even see Beeze! While I am there, I will try to get more information about Pampas Plains and the overhaul of the Andean Bear exhibit.
 
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Speculating on South American Adventure...
South American Adventure is basically a modified version of Andes Adventure. I believe Pampas Plains is the first phase, and it will include a new entry area to the Maned Wolf exhibit and new exhibits for Chacoan Peccaries, Greater Rheas, and Giant Anteaters. I also read that they will renovate the old llama yard to make at least one of these exhibits, so that makes me think that they'll ship the Llama out soon, and start working on renovating the exhibit for probably the anteaters. I don't know why they don't just use the existing peccary exhibit and save money, but it's nice to know that the peccaries will get a bigger exhibit, the rheas will be in a geographically correct exhibit, and Giant Anteaters will be coming. Plants native to the pampas will be in the exhibits, and I believe raised viewing similar to the peccary exhibit will be used to see the exhibits. In addition, the anteater exhibit sounds like it will be the best in New England (the existing llama yard will already have grass growing in it and there will be artificial termite mounds), and oppurtunities for the guests such as artifact nooks and discovery boxes and an amphitheater indicates a step in the right direction for Beardsley. Since there will be 4 phases and this will be Phase 1, I believe the next phases might include an Andes exhibit, a renovation of the rainforest building, and outdoor rainforest exhibits. Remember, I'm just speculating on possible oppurtunities the zoo might take, and not much of this is official.
 
AnaheimZoo said:
Nope, you've pretty much given us the zoo's entire history on this thread. :D
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I've only given news from August 2011! But now you have me thinking about history of Beardsley, so here's a quick overview of historic moments (mostly from Wikipedia, but I contributed there!)
1922- The zoo opens.
1997- The Connecticut Zoological Society purchases the zoo.
2007- Beardsley becomes first zoo in Northeast to exhibit Chacoan Peccary.
2008- Milagre is born. His mother Kuma becomes only the third ocelot to undergo artificial insemination, and the first for conservation purposes.
2010- The oldest Andean Condor in the world, Thaao, passes away.
January 2011- A female Brazilian Ocelot (Alya) was born, and is the first wildcat to be born through oviductal artificial insemination. Kuma is the first ocelot to undergo OAI, and the first to have multiple pregnancies and kittens from AI.
October 2011- First Chacoan Peccary born in Northeast.
And by requests, I meant requests such as info regarding new exhibits or species.
 
BeardsleyZooFan said:
And by requests, I meant requests such as info regarding new exhibits or species.
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Yes, I know that. :p Just thought I'd crack a little joke.

Erm... any new info on Pampas Plains? I know you've told us quite a bit, but is there any new word?

What about Beeze? Is the plan to keep him as an animal ambassador?

And how's construction on the Amur leopard exhibit?
 
AnaheimZoo said:
Yes, I know that. :p Just thought I'd crack a little joke.

Erm... any new info on Pampas Plains? I know you've told us quite a bit, but is there any new word?

What about Beeze? Is the plan to keep him as an animal ambassador?

And how's construction on the Amur leopard exhibit?
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Sorry about the history lesson.:p Once someone gets me going...
I plan on sending a letter regarding the future exhibits to Beardsley Zoo. I might get some info then. The zoo doesn't reveal much, and the leopard plans still aren't public, and there's only 1 real article on Pampas Plains. So I only really know the answer to Beeze, which is yes, he won't go on exhibit, but will remain an ambassador. Although in July, I was told both Pampas Plains and the bear exhibit overhaul depended all on money, so we don't know when the overhaul will exactly be finished, or what it will be like. I will do my best to get as much news as possible.
 
As always, thanks, BZF. You're really ZooChat's only Beardsley Zoo "reporter", and you're doing an outstanding job. :)
 
News from my visit today;
The Giant Tortoises have only 3 days left in Bridgeport.
The Maned Wolf viewing hut seems to completed by itself, except glass viewing windows and educational graphics, and perhaps a little more construction is needed.
A new female Chacoan Peccary was added to the group, making the herd size 4 members.
I didn't see the Pronghorn baby.
Construction is going to start on the bear exhibits soon. I saw people walking in and out of the exhibits.
Naka and Viktor weren't together today, so their times together are varied.
Rizzo and the new female otter (Asita?) are on exhibit together regularly.
The Helmeted Guineafowl chicks have been moved from the barn to an outdoor chicken coop.
Acouchis might still be at the zoo!
I saw Rainforest Reptiles today, and it was a pretty good show. I also saw the trailer, and there's a great collection of reptiles and amphibians in there, along with some other creepy crawlers. Most of the exhibits are subpar though, especially the white gator exhibit. At least this is a traveling exhibit, so when the animals go back to Massachusetts, at least some will get to have some time in better exhibits.
I got some more info on the new exhibits;
The viewing hut for the maned wolves is the entry area for Pampas Plains. The peccaries might get a new exhibit, or they might stay in their exhibit right now. Greater Rheas from the farmyard will be moved to Pampas Plains. Giant Anteaters are almost certain to pop up, and Tapirs and Capybara are a possibility. The exhibits should open up next spring or summer.
I aready said that construction will soon start for the leopards. The exhibit should be finished by mid-winter.
Here's an article about Rainforest Reptiles:
Rainforest Reptiles crawling through Beardsley Zoo - Connecticut Post
 
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Great news, BZF! So excited! I don't think I can see the tortoises, which is a shame, but I'll surely be around when the leopards and Pampas Plains arrive! :)
 
MrOkapi- Now you can provide us with news about the Good Zoo, which doesn't seem to have a lot of info here!:)
AnaheimZoo- Shame you can't see the tortoises. They're HUGE! I wonder what will go in their exhibit once they leave.
I forgot to mention these pieces of news;
I believe one Snowy Owl has either passed away or was sent to another zoo, as only one has been on exhibit for 3 months.
I know news possibly about Phase 2 of South American Adventure. It could be called Andes Adventure. While not much is known about Phase 2 yet, there could be a larger flight aviary for Desmond the condor, and a new Andean Bear exhibit.
 
BeardsleyZooFan said:
MrOkapi- Now you can provide us with news about the Good Zoo, which doesn't seem to have a lot of info here!:)
AnaheimZoo- Shame you can't see the tortoises. They're HUGE! I wonder what will go in their exhibit once they leave.
I forgot to mention these pieces of news;
I believe one Snowy Owl has either passed away or was sent to another zoo, as only one has been on exhibit for 3 months.
I know news possibly about Phase 2 of South American Adventure. It could be called Andes Adventure. While not much is known about Phase 2 yet, there could be a larger flight aviary for Desmond the condor, and a new Andean Bear exhibit.
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Did you get another Andean Bear after we received Joaquin?
 
MrOkapi said:
Did you get another Andean Bear after we received Joaquin?
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No. The new possible bear exhibit will mark the return of bears to the zoo if it ever comes true. However, not many people know of Phase 2 yet, so it's all about Pampas Plains right now.
 
OHHHHHHHH MAYBE I CAN MAKE IIIIIIIIIIIIITTT!!! :D

Haha, once again, thank you for the updates, Beards. (I think I might call you that from now on. :p)
 
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