Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo Beardsley Zoo News

https://sites.google.com/site/werrtydryytucf/
There's the link to my website i mentioned yesterday.
Along with a long list of animals i've seen after three visits to the Bronx Zoo, it also has a list from my National Zoo visit. Also, there's the Mystic A. (2011), Maritime A. (2011), ZooAmerica (2012), Roger Williams Park Zoo (2012), and I've started adding my list for the Beardsley Zoo trip I took 2 or 3 weeks ago. Hopefully, I'll soon have a Central Park list to add and I will have to plan another trip to Maritime soon.

Not all pics are mine but those that aren't i list the website that they came from. some pics may belong to some of you guys because I did use ZooChat as a picture source. If anyone here sees one of their pics and feels uncomfortable with it, tell me and I'll remove it as soon as possible. All my pics are marked with a bolded + under them so keep an eye out for them (they also will soon be on this site aswell).

Tell me what you guys think. I hope you find it interesting, knowledgeable, and fun!!:D
 
BeardsleyZooFan said:
Thanks for your thoughts on Smithsonian, and I hope to see it next year perhaps. I don't mean to bombard you with reviews, but as a Connecticut resident, and the fact that we're posting under the Beardsley Zoo forum, what are your thoughts on Connecticut's Only Zoo?
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Well first of all, how come Action Wildlife and the LEO Zoological Conservation Center don't count as zoos?
As for Beardsley, I found it to be very nice and for a zoo of its size, it has a very impressive collection. Some of the exhibits i find to be on the smaller side like the Amur Tiger exhibit (i think they sould rebuild that whole area. Knock down the Canada Lynx inclosure and put them in the Sandhill Crane exhibit or somewhere else in the zoo and extend the tiger exhibit over the old lynx exhibit. the grey fox should also have an extension on their exhibit) and, even though they cant fly, their Birds of Prey should have bigger exhibits (although the Bald Eagles one is fine). I hated the conditon of the New England Farmyard. If there's only one sheep, then why have such a big exhibit for it? Why not put the Rheas in there until their exhibit is done? also, i'd have the porcupine in the nocturnal barn exhibit. the snapping turtle exhibit is a bit horrifying in my opinion :eek: (if it was all water and a little land, fine, but it's all land and a little puddle of water). I think it's great that they finally have the money to grow but they should focus on upgrading the enviroment for their current animals first. The Rainforest building in fantastic in my opinion. Alligator Alley is fine except for the foxes. five 4ft gators is much better then those two 10ft ones that barely ever moved because they didn't fit anymore. so sad that the Timber Wolves died. :( And howcome the only free-roam birds i saw were the peacocks:confused: I think the Bison and Pronghorn should share an exhibit and the deer should be placed with Turkeys and mabye some other compatable North American animal (any ideas?). The Chacoan Peccary exhibit was great aswell. Hope they bring Capybaras into the now empty Giant Tortoise exhibit, that a species that has always escaped my eyes, that and the New Guinea Singing Dog. I can't wait until they finish Pampas Plains and add the Amur Leopard!:D
1 question, since their website shows black wolves (most likely Mackenzie Valley Wolves) on their Howl-O-Ween ad, are there going to be black wolves at the zoo?
 
I meant only AZA zoos, so that's why Action Wildlife and Leo don't count.
I too think that the lynx exhibit should be demolished, but not placed into the crane enclosure. That wouldn't fit in with the Southeast theming. I would perhaps put them near the entrance of the zoo.
When you said the tiger area should be redone, I agree, and I think an Asian section is important. The leopards will be placed into the old bear exhibits and hopefully if the lynx exhibit is demolished, it could serve as a viewing spot for the leopards. I think the tigers should be shipped out, and then their exhibit should be converted into perhaps a Sun Bear exhibit (of course with some renovations.) Then, make Red Panda and White-Naped Crane exhibits behind the cafe, and by the time the zoo reaches their 100th anniversary in 2022, open up an amazing new tiger complex and bring back their tigers. Of course, that's just a dream.
I think the Gray Foxes and birds of prey should have more space too.
I'm kind of shocked that you hate the farmyard so much. There are actually 2 sheep, and their exhibit is nice and has somewhat varied terrain. I'd keep the porcupine where it is so it can stay outdoors, and perhaps put Virginia Opossums back into the barn. The Snapping Turtle exhibit isn't horrible, but I sure have seen better.
I'm glad to hear you like South American Rainforest so much.:)
There are also Helmeted Guineafowl that are free-roaming.
It would be nice to have the bison, pronghorn, and deer share an exhibit, and perhaps the space in between the two exhibits can be cleared to join the exhibits. However, they would have to do work on the Pronghorn exhibit to bison-proof it. Perhaps Elk could be added as well? Also, the Wild Turkeys that lived there are gone.
I'm not sure if Capybara would be the best fit for the Giant Tortoise enclosure as the area was small. Plus, there's a chance Capybara might be in Pampas Plains. I would perhaps place Patagonian Cavies in there. Also, what do Singing Dogs have to do with Beardsley?:confused:
The Howl-O-Ween Black Wolf is just put there to make it look "scarier".:rolleyes:
 
The sheep exhibit isn't bad but I don't like the goat exhibits and the Dexter Cattle exhibit is small. Porcupines are nocturnal, that's why I'd place them inside the darkened barn.
I agree with the whole Asian theme you proposed but I don't think the tigers should leave, just have their exhibit expanded to include the area that the Canada Lynx enclousure sits on.
The thing with the New Guinea Singing Dogs was I was saying that, just like the Capybaras I want Beardsley to get, the species has always avoided me on zoo trips.
I didn't see any guineafowl roaming the zoo but I saw hatchlings in the farmyard. What happened to the Blue-Eared Pheasants? Did they all die or just leave the zoo collection?
I agree that elk would be a nice addition but I'd much rather see something like Bighorn Sheep at the zoo but they wouldn't fit with Bison, Pronghorn, and White-Tailed Deer.
Does the zoo plan on bringing back Timber Wolves? The wolves are one of my favorite animals at the zoo. I spent quite a while watching both the Red and Maned.
Personally, I think the zoo should bring in a much less represented leopard subspecies like an Indian or Persian (since they're rare, too) but I'm fine with Amur aswell since it's more endangered and it would be a first for me.:)
 
ThylacineAlive said:
I agree with the whole Asian theme you proposed but I don't think the tigers should leave, just have their exhibit expanded to include the area that the Canada Lynx enclousure sits on.
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The reason I disagree with that is because an expansion over the puny lynx exhibit isn't enough space for the tigers. As the zoo's logo, a more proper exhibit should be built for them, so the tigers IMO should be shipped out until the new complex is open.
ThylacineAlive said:
I didn't see any guineafowl roaming the zoo but I saw hatchlings in the farmyard. What happened to the Blue-Eared Pheasants? Did they all die or just leave the zoo collection?
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Guineafowl do roam throughout the zoo, and I believe the single pheasant they had died; shame.:(
ThylacineAlive said:
Does the zoo plan on bringing back Timber Wolves? The wolves are one of my favorite animals at the zoo. I spent quite a while watching both the Red and Maned.
Personally, I think the zoo should bring in a much less represented leopard subspecies like an Indian or Persian (since they're rare, too) but I'm fine with Amur aswell since it's more endangered and it would be a first for me.:)
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The zoo is currently looking for Timber Wolves. The AZA has decided to focus primarily on Amur Leopards so there's almost no chance for Persians or Indians, unfortunately.
 
BeardsleyZooFan said:
The zoo is currently looking for Timber Wolves. The AZA has decided to focus primarily on Amur Leopards so there's almost no chance for Persians or Indians, unfortunately.
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Are there any zoos that have Persians, Indians, North Chinese, or other subspecies besides Amur and African in the U.S. I know the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound has Persians, Indians, North Chinese, and Amurs and I know there are no Javan Leopards in North America but are there any other North American zoos with Sri Lankans or Indochinese and such. I believe all North Chinese (which is like 12) in the U.S. belong to the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound and three of the probably Extinct (:(:mad:) Barbary Leopards once were at a compound in South Carolina.
 
ThylacineAlive said:
Are there any zoos that have Persians, Indians, North Chinese, or other subspecies besides Amur and African in the U.S. I know the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound has Persians, Indians, North Chinese, and Amurs and I know there are no Javan Leopards in North America but are there any other North American zoos with Sri Lankans or Indochinese and such. I believe all North Chinese (which is like 12) in the U.S. belong to the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound and three of the probably Extinct (:(:mad:) Barbary Leopards once were at a compound in South Carolina.
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The Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo forum is probably not the best place to ask these questions. I'd reccomend making a new thread inside the general United States forum asking this question. Not trying to attack you or anything, but this is not the proper thread to ask this question.
 
BeardsleyZooFan said:
The Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo forum is probably not the best place to ask these questions. I'd reccomend making a new thread inside the general United States forum asking this question. Not trying to attack you or anything, but this is not the proper thread to ask this question.
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I agree I'll make a thread to find out the answer to this question. Is there a thread yet about Big Cats in general? This would be a perfect place to ask this question.

Sorry for bringing the topic off the Beardsley Zoo:o
 
BeardsleyZooFan said:
AnaheimZoo- Jeez, how come you get to visit one of the top zoos in the country like twenty times a year?:p I'm just joking, and my frequent Beardsley visits help me appreciate my Bronx visits. In fact, I'm planning to go in November, but I honestly just want to get down there before the tiger cubs are all grown up! And by the way, if you do take pictures, I'd appreciate photos of the cubs if it's not too much. Thanks.:)
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Membership, dear boy. :p

And for your information, including my visit on Sunday, I've only visited 7 times in the last 3 years! :D
 
AnaheimZoo said:
Membership, dear boy. :p

And for your information, including my visit on Sunday, I've only visited 7 times in the last 3 years! :D
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Well I hope you add some new pics!:D

I also have a membership to WCS zoos/aquarium so mabye I'll see you there one of these days (I'll look for the person taking tons of pics:p. You look for the person taking few pics and writting stuff down on a red notepade).

Still planning that Central Park Zoo visit. Hopefully going either this weekend or the next.

I have never visited the Beardsley Zoo during the winter, so, BZF, what's different about it during the winter months? I wouldn't think much since most of their animals can stay out during the winter.
 
ThylacineAlive said:
I agree I'll make a thread to find out the answer to this question. Is there a thread yet about Big Cats in general? This would be a perfect place to ask this question.

Sorry for bringing the topic off the Beardsley Zoo:o
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I finally made a new thread for my off-topic leopard question!
It's called Lions, Tigers, Leopards OH, MY (Big Cats) (sorry about the cheesy title:p)

Here you can talk about everything Big and Small wildcats.
http://www.zoochat.com/2/tigers-lions-leopards-oh-my-big-295148/#post606254
 
Howl-O-Ween is a howling good time! (Wow that was terrible.) This promotional video shows some of the highlights. I've never been to Howl-O-Ween, but I can tell from the video and from a friend that it's actually kind of creepy. Also, at 1:20 in the video, is that Voldemort?
 
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Are the animal exhibits still open during HOWL-O-WEEN (at night I mean) or is it just the haunted, spooky stuff?

Do you work at the Beardsley Zoo, BeardsleyZooFan?:confused:
 
ThylacineAlive said:
Are the animal exhibits still open during HOWL-O-WEEN (at night I mean) or is it just the haunted, spooky stuff?

Do you work at the Beardsley Zoo, BeardsleyZooFan?:confused:
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Or at any animal-related job as, if you don't know much about the expansions and don't know about HOWL-O-WEEN, you probably don't work there.
 
No I do not work at Beardsley Zoo, though I do some stuff there sometimes, though I'm not a volunteer.
I don't know if the animal exhibits are still open during Howl-O-Ween. I think most of the animals are in their night quarters.
 
Does anyone know the Domestic Rabbit breed(s) (don't say European Rabbit that's the species) and the Domestic Cat breed.
 
AnaheimZoo- I'm looking to try and get a membership to WCS soon. Also, if you get Beardsley Zoo membership, you get in free to Beardsley, and you have free/discounted admission to many other zoos.
ThylacineAlive- On the topic of winter visits, I've actually only visited in winter once.:o That was in February, and that winter we had almost no snow, so I can't speak on the subject of snow at the zoo. However, a visit in winter is nice if it's not too cold. Some animals like the tigers and lynx are more active as they're cold-weather animals. However, the following animals are normally not on exhibit in winter;
Maned Wolves
Chacoan Peccaries
Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs
And the Reptile House is closed.
And if either of you gents see me at a zoo, I'll be the one who's taking picture after picture of some random animal, saying "No that one came out bad!" I'm planning my Bronx visit soon!
For actual news, the zoo is closed today and tomorrow due to Hurricane Sandy.
 
Yeah I heard about the closings earlier today. Last hurricane a large tree fell into the bison exhibit (I went on my birthday which is in September so I was there right after the storm). How do you think Beardsley, Maritime, and Mystic are doing during the hurricane. What are their emergancy plans, preparation plans, and emergancy funds.

I hopefully will finally get to go on my planned Central Park Zoo visit next weekend. Since I, too, have a membership if you see me, I'll be the 6.5ft. teen taking few pictures, writing everything I see in a red notepad, and probably wearing my zoo visiting shirt (Bronx Zoo shirt).:D

Does anyone know the Domestic Rabbit breed(s) (don't say European Rabbit that's the species) and the Domestic Cat breed at Beardsley.
 
ThylacineAlive said:
Yeah I heard about the closings earlier today. Last hurricane a large tree fell into the bison exhibit (I went on my birthday which is in September so I was there right after the storm). How do you think Beardsley, Maritime, and Mystic are doing during the hurricane. What are their emergancy plans, preparation plans, and emergancy funds.
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For Maritime, the meerkats have moved to a higher floor in the aquarium. Their seals have been moved to their holding pool. They also have two industrial strength generator, and they are hoping to open up again tomorrow. Mystic is closed today. Beardsley's animals are safely put away, and animal care staff is on site for any issues during the storm. The zoo's closed today and tomorrow.
ThylacineAlive said:
Does anyone know the Domestic Rabbit breed(s) (don't say European Rabbit that's the species) and the Domestic Cat breed at Beardsley.
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Sorry, no clue.
 
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