Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo Beardsley Zoo News

The zoo will be placing a new Brazilian Ocelot and Golden Lion Tamarin on-exhibit within the upcoming weeks.

~Thylo
 
From the zoo's Facebook-
"We are sad to announce that due to advanced age, declining health and quality of life considerations, the Zoo bid farewell to our North American bison, Sweetpea, through euthanasia. Sweetpea was born at the Zoo, and is remembered by her animal care staff and friends as a 'gentle giant.' Animal Care Specialist and Zoo Registrar Linda Tomas summed up the feelings of Zoo staff in her comment: 'I will always remember her for her eager anticipation for treats, her happy play with a new tree or pumpkin in the yard and her soft fuzzy head. I miss her and am grateful for having had the chance to be a part of her life.' RIP, Sweetpea."


Sweetpea was the last bison at the zoo. Her exhibit is still occupied by the White-Tailed Deer that shared the yard.
 
New Red Wolf:

On May 8, the zoo announced that a female red wolf named Kawoni arrived in February from Miller Park Zoo. She was born on 2012 at the Point Defiance Zoo and will be paired with Peanut, the zoo's male red wolf.

Also, some black-tailed prairie dogs have been born throughout April.
 
Received an email from the zoo today announcing they will be opening June 1st. The zoo will only be allowing up to 500 people on-site at a time and will be splitting their opening hours into two three hour sessions, one from 9am-12pm and one from 1pm-4pm. Cleaning will be done during the closed hour. All buildings will be closed and all tickets must be bought online in advance.

~Thylo
 
I visited the zoo last week and noted that a small portion of the new farmyard is open. The new amphitheater area is complete and looks nice though it is small and in desperate need of some shade over the seating area. The farmyard area that is open consists simply of three birds of prey aviaries (Great Horned Owl, two new Barred Owls, and two Harris's Hawks), two domestic hoofstock pens (miniature horse and goats), and a large pasture which presumably will be used as the petting pen for whichever animals are given access to it at any given time. Personally, I was quite disappointed in the new build. All of this was built on a previously non-public area so this is all completely new stuff, yet they've chosen to stick with the horribly small and inadequate raptor cages--except now two of them hold multiple birds--and the domestics pens are no larger, if not smaller than those found in the old farmyard. The only improvement I would say is the domestics now have nature substrate to live on. Additionally, this area, while I believe was previously said to exhibit Bobcat and other native wild animals, lacks those species entirely.

~Thylo
 
I visited the zoo last week and noted that a small portion of the new farmyard is open. The new amphitheater area is complete and looks nice though it is small and in desperate need of some shade over the seating area. The farmyard area that is open consists simply of three birds of prey aviaries (Great Horned Owl, two new Barred Owls, and two Harris's Hawks), two domestic hoofstock pens (miniature horse and goats), and a large pasture which presumably will be used as the petting pen for whichever animals are given access to it at any given time. Personally, I was quite disappointed in the new build. All of this was built on a previously non-public area so this is all completely new stuff, yet they've chosen to stick with the horribly small and inadequate raptor cages--except now two of them hold multiple birds--and the domestics pens are no larger, if not smaller than those found in the old farmyard. The only improvement I would say is the domestics now have nature substrate to live on. Additionally, this area, while I believe was previously said to exhibit Bobcat and other native wild animals, lacks those species entirely.

~Thylo
Though I really love this zoo and the enthusiasm of the employees and patrons I have to agree with you on the new barnyard area. Hoping this is a work in progress and it will be improved over time.
 
Though I really love this zoo and the enthusiasm of the employees and patrons I have to agree with you on the new barnyard area. Hoping this is a work in progress and it will be improved over time.

They really need to do away with the raptor cages more than anything...

~Thylo
 
Some news:

On July 14th, it was announced that the zoo would be holding a photography contest. The competition runs until July 31st, which the winners will be announced in August. The contest rules are in the description down below.

CT's Beardsley Zoo Announces Photo Contest & Exhibit

On July 22nd, Bethel scooter company Lynx City announced that it will be donating a portion of every ticket purchase, every donation to the company, and every scooter rental fee in the city of Bridgeport towards the zoo's wildlife and conservation efforts, as well as expenses in the zoo.

Bethel Scooter Company Partners With Bridgeport Zoo
 
Last night I was linked to the zoo's official masterplan! Along with the already opened/in-progress spider monkey and farmyard renovations, as well as the planned Andean Bear and Amur Tiger exhibits, the plan calls for a new condor aviary, expanded indoor and outdoor ambassador animal space, increased parking/public transportation stops, a South American wetland with flamingos, a North American wetland ala Alligator Alley, additional Asian species behind and around the new panda habitat (possible candidates include goral, Pallas's Cat, muntjac, and crane which is already present), converting Alligator Alley into an Asia-specific exhibit, and most excitingly two completely new expansions of the zoo: one for "Americas" and one for "Asia".

Plan can be seen here: Beardsley Zoo Master Plan Update — Coyle & Caron Landscape Architects

~Thylo
 
News since July 31st:

On September 9th, the zoo revealed on their Facebook page that they have recently acquired a female Andean condor named Princess.

On September 23rd, it was reported that the zoo, in collaboration with the Citizen Science program Monarch Watch, has started to train volunteers to tag monarch butterflies to study the migration patterns of the species.

CT's Beardsley Zoo Tagging Monarch Butterflies

On September 28th, it was reported that one of the zoo's female Amur tigers, Zeya, was leaving the zoo for another unknown facility for breeding purposes.

'Computer dating' - for tigers: Bridgeport zoo part of effort to save species
 
News since July 31st:

On September 9th, the zoo revealed on their Facebook page that they have recently acquired a female Andean condor named Princess.

On September 23rd, it was reported that the zoo, in collaboration with the Citizen Science program Monarch Watch, has started to train volunteers to tag monarch butterflies to study the migration patterns of the species.

CT's Beardsley Zoo Tagging Monarch Butterflies

On September 28th, it was reported that one of the zoo's female Amur tigers, Zeya, was leaving the zoo for another unknown facility for breeding purposes.

'Computer dating' - for tigers: Bridgeport zoo part of effort to save species
Andean condor a new species for them?
 
Does anyone know when the zoo plans to start construction on the new Amur Tiger exhibit and how long it would take. Also when they do will they send the tiger to another zoo or keep her at the zoo.
 
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