Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo Beardsley Zoo News

BeardsleyZooFan said:
A thank you, to Beardsley Zoo's Corporate Sponsors:
National Zoo opens solar-powered carousel in DC
Excellent news! Beardsley Zoo has released new info regarding Pampas Plains! Make a donation to make Pampas Plains a reality!
Donate Today | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
Click to expand...

I think you posted the wrong link for the corporate sponsers. I think this is what you were meaning to post,
Thank You to our Corporate Sponsors! | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

I wouldn't exactly call this info. More asking for donations to bring in Giant Anteaters (a species we already knew was coming). The only new info. is the drawing of the planned anteater exhibit and they said that they'd have sounds, artifacts, and some unnamed animals besides the Maned Wolves, Chacoan Peccaries, Giant Anteaters, and American Rhea (all of which besides the anteater are already at the zoo).
 
ThylacineAlive- Thanks for the heads-up on the link! I must have forgot to copy the Beardsley link after posting on the Smithsonian thread.
There may be info in this that we already knew, but it's still more specific info than the rather broad press release released in June about Pampas Plains. I think they posted "other species" in the fourth paragraph rather than naming those species as they might not acquire them. They are very excited for the anteaters, as the zoo has never exhibited them before. Also in that drawing, there is clearly an anteater in the exhibit on the right, but what is that large grayish thing behind it? Could it just be a rock, or could it be a peccary, meaning that the anteaters and peccaries might share an enclosure?
Beardsley Zoo membership can give you free/discounted admission as part of the AZA reciprocity program. Some other AZA zoos participate in this program, although some like WCS zoos/aquarium, San Diego Zoo, and Mystic Aquarium, for instance, don't honor this membership. It's definately worth membership as you always get in free to Beardsley, are invited to members-only events (I get to see Pampas Plains before all of you!:D), and obviously discounted admission to other zoos/aquaria.
 
BeardsleyZooFan said:
Also in that drawing, there is clearly an anteater in the exhibit on the right, but what is that large grayish thing behind it? Could it just be a rock, or could it be a peccary, meaning that the anteaters and peccaries might share an enclosure?
Click to expand...

The picture is in the link to donate to Pampas Plains. I downloaded the image to my computer and when enlarged, you can tell that the grayish object is actually two animals grazing together. I believe that they are probably Chacoan Peccaries, but their noses look very much like a tapir's, and the zoo is considering tapirs for Pampas Plains. I'm going to go with peccaries, as they are offical for Pampas Plains and tapirs aren't.
Anyways the exhibit looks nice. It's obvious that the anteaters will share their exhibit with the peccaries/tapirs, and possibly the Greater Rheas. Here's a larger image of the sketch;
 

Attachments

  • pampas plains.jpg
    pampas plains.jpg
    217.5 KB · Views: 22
BeardsleyZooFan said:
ThylacineAlive- Thanks for the heads-up on the link! I must have forgot to copy the Beardsley link after posting on the Smithsonian thread.
There may be info in this that we already knew, but it's still more specific info than the rather broad press release released in June about Pampas Plains. I think they posted "other species" in the fourth paragraph rather than naming those species as they might not acquire them. They are very excited for the anteaters, as the zoo has never exhibited them before. Also in that drawing, there is clearly an anteater in the exhibit on the right, but what is that large grayish thing behind it? Could it just be a rock, or could it be a peccary, meaning that the anteaters and peccaries might share an enclosure?
Beardsley Zoo membership can give you free/discounted admission as part of the AZA reciprocity program. Some other AZA zoos participate in this program, although some like WCS zoos/aquarium, San Diego Zoo, and Mystic Aquarium, for instance, don't honor this membership. It's definately worth membership as you always get in free to Beardsley, are invited to members-only events (I get to see Pampas Plains before all of you!:D), and obviously discounted admission to other zoos/aquaria.
Click to expand...

When I first saw the drawing I thought they looked like tapirs but then I though the peccaries but knowing they're a little aggressive I dismissed this and assumed it might be another anteater. Looking more closely at the image which you posted above I think they might be the peccaries. I currently have a WCS membership and may pitch in to get this AZA membership (how much is it?) but might wait until my WCS membership is gone as I will probably have more chances to go to non-WCS zoos after that but I have way more than enough money saved up so the price shouldn't be a problem. This membership will probably help make my Cincinnati trip more of a reality and might ensure Columbus as well. How does the membership ensure you get to see Pampas Plains first? Will the zoo close for a day to allow members to see it first? Doesn't sound like a very smart economic choice for a zoo of that size.
 
ThylacineAlive said:
When I first saw the drawing I thought they looked like tapirs but then I though the peccaries but knowing they're a little aggressive I dismissed this and assumed it might be another anteater. Looking more closely at the image which you posted above I think they might be the peccaries. I currently have a WCS membership and may pitch in to get this AZA membership (how much is it?) but might wait until my WCS membership is gone as I will probably have more chances to go to non-WCS zoos after that but I have way more than enough money saved up so the price shouldn't be a problem. This membership will probably help make my Cincinnati trip more of a reality and might ensure Columbus as well. How does the membership ensure you get to see Pampas Plains first? Will the zoo close for a day to allow members to see it first? Doesn't sound like a very smart economic choice for a zoo of that size.
Click to expand...

A member who I was PM'ing with told me that there seemed to be a ridge in between the anteater and those peccaries. Maybe they will do this to make it seem like they are sharing a habitat, while they are truly seperated. I also think that the Greater Rheas will be kept seperate from the other animals, as their current pair has a female who is blind in one eye, and therefore will probably be nervous around other animals. She follows her brother everywhere, and her brother is protective of her, so that is why they might be kept seperate.
Often, when a zoo constructs a new exhibit, there are previews for members or docents of the new exhibit after the zoo closes. That will likely be the case with the Amur Leopard exhibit, and Pampas Plains.
In other news, the zoo is sending out pamphlets to members regarding Pampas Plains donations. On the front of the pamphlet, words say "My favorite animal at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is..." and there are four boxes. The first three have an Amur Tiger, a North American River Otter, and a Brazilian Ocelot with a checkmark to show that they are a favorite animal. The fourth box has the shape of an anteater, and the label has Giant Anteater? with a question mark instead of no punctuation like the other animals. The checkmark box is empty. Inside the pamphlet is practically the same on the link I shared yesterday. I plan to donate soon. The Werth Family Foundation will match every donation dollar to dollar for up to $50,000, but I just found out that my friend's relative is actually the one who started the Werth Family Foundation! What a coincidence!
 
BeardsleyZooFan said:
A member who I was PM'ing with told me that there seemed to be a ridge in between the anteater and those peccaries. Maybe they will do this to make it seem like they are sharing a habitat, while they are truly seperated. I also think that the Greater Rheas will be kept seperate from the other animals, as their current pair has a female who is blind in one eye, and therefore will probably be nervous around other animals. She follows her brother everywhere, and her brother is protective of her, so that is why they might be kept seperate.
Often, when a zoo constructs a new exhibit, there are previews for members or docents of the new exhibit after the zoo closes. That will likely be the case with the Amur Leopard exhibit, and Pampas Plains.
In other news, the zoo is sending out pamphlets to members regarding Pampas Plains donations. On the front of the pamphlet, words say "My favorite animal at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is..." and there are four boxes. The first three have an Amur Tiger, a North American River Otter, and a Brazilian Ocelot with a checkmark to show that they are a favorite animal. The fourth box has the shape of an anteater, and the label has Giant Anteater? with a question mark instead of no punctuation like the other animals. The checkmark box is empty. Inside the pamphlet is practically the same on the link I shared yesterday. I plan to donate soon. The Werth Family Foundation will match every donation dollar to dollar for up to $50,000, but I just found out that my friend's relative is actually the one who started the Werth Family Foundation! What a coincidence!
Click to expand...

I thought the same thing about the ridge but wasn't sure so I didn't post it. Funny how coincidences work themselves out. I'm going to assume that the area Pampas Plains will take up is going to be closed down while construction goes on. I wonder how the zoo will cope with such a large area of the zoo being closed down? Or is Pampas Plains just a new trail?
 
ThylacineAlive said:
I thought the same thing about the ridge but wasn't sure so I didn't post it. Funny how coincidences work themselves out. I'm going to assume that the area Pampas Plains will take up is going to be closed down while construction goes on. I wonder how the zoo will cope with such a large area of the zoo being closed down? Or is Pampas Plains just a new trail?
Click to expand...

I think that the only areas that might be closed during construction will be the Peccary and Llama exhibits. I believe Pampas Plains will be a new trail.
I just found out that the agoutis' names are Skippy and Mac.
The second annual AAZK Holiday Art Show and Sale will be this Saturday. I found this picture of the tiger indoor holding area.
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo Chapter AAZK - Bridgeport, CT - Non-Profit Organization - Photos | Facebook
 
BeardsleyZooFan said:
I think that the only areas that might be closed during construction will be the Peccary and Llama exhibits. I believe Pampas Plains will be a new trail.
I just found out that the agoutis' names are Skippy and Mac.
The second annual AAZK Holiday Art Show and Sale will be this Saturday. I found this picture of the tiger indoor holding area.
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo Chapter AAZK - Bridgeport, CT - Non-Profit Organization - Photos | Facebook
Click to expand...

Good, I'd hate to see the North American exhibit go even though I can't wait for Pampas Plains. When is the whole thing suppose to be finished by?
Is that a training area or Viktor's sleeping quarters?
 
ThylacineAlive said:
Good, I'd hate to see the North American exhibit go even though I can't wait for Pampas Plains. When is the whole thing suppose to be finished by?
Is that a training area or Viktor's sleeping quarters?
Click to expand...

Pampas Plains construction will begin next year, and should be finished by perhaps summer 2013.
Not sure about the tiger area.
 
Wondering what to get that animal lover in your family for Christmas? Beardsley Zoo will be selling animal artwork on Sunday, December 16, from noon to 3 P.M. in the Carousel Building. Animals such as Amur Tigers, Golden-Lion Tamarins, Brazilian Agoutis, and more made the "masterpieces."
 
Admission is free for all children on December 26, 27, and 28th in remembrance of the Newtown shootings, of which 5 of the children lost were Beardsley Zoo members.

~Thylo:cool:
 
$10,000 of the Matching Funds Challenge has been raised for Pampas Plains. Also, kudos to ThylacineAlive for posting that update while my account was temporarily deactivated.
 
The zoo will be closed tomorrow.
It's been about a year since the peccary piglet went on exhibit, so while I somehow managed to forget this video a year ago, here it is now.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I had a pleasant visit to the zoo today. Not much has changed, but there were some things I noticed.
The zoo has still not acquired any Gray Wolves to replace Apache and Cheyenne, or at least they're not on exhibit yet.
Where the temporary tortoise exhibit was they had some light displays of farmyard animals.
The zoo has finally publicized that Amur Leopards will be added to the zoo's collection. The sign that says this verifies that the female will be on exhibit in spring 2013. Now for those of you wondering how I knew before the zoo publicized it was because I was talking to an educator in July about what will happen in the renovation of the old bear exhibits. She told me that an endangered Asian animal will be on exhibit, but she couldn't tell me exactly what the animal was. Then another educator said that they were allowed to spill the beans as they told a group of children in a program what animal would be coming, and so they told me the leopards would be coming. Not much has changed in terms of construction.
Naka and Viktor (tigers) were on exhibit together today, so I believe that they are sometimes allowed to be together, and at other times they are separated.
One of the White-Faced Sakis is still in its normal exhibit, with the Black Howler Monkeys. However, the other saki is on exhibit with the Golden-Lion Tamarins, Sloth, and Red-Footed Tortoises. Why he is on exhibit there, I have no idea. Perhaps he was not getting along with the other male?
Many animals have Christmas trees in their exhibits for enrichment.
The Maned Wolves and Chacoan Peccaries weren't on exhibit, and only 3 Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs were on exhibit. Now that the weather is getting colder, these animals will likely not be on exhibit except on warmer winter days. The Reptile House is also closed, and the Bug House is closed except for the Honeybee exhibit.
A new Barn Owl was on exhibit with the pair that was already there.
Photos will come soon!
 
Last edited:
The zoo has two sakis? Also, The tamarin exhibit just be getting pretty crowded with now a large male saki, two Golden Lion Tamarins, a Red-Footed Tortoise, and a sloth. How was the visit with all the snow?

~Thylo:cool:
 
ThylacineAlive said:
The zoo has two sakis? Also, The tamarin exhibit just be getting pretty crowded with now a large male saki, two Golden Lion Tamarins, a Red-Footed Tortoise, and a sloth. How was the visit with all the snow?

~Thylo:cool:
Click to expand...

Yes, there are two male sakis at the zoo. I'm not sure what happened to the females a couple of years ago. The tamarin exhibit is actually not that crowded, as it has good vertical space, and it goes back further than it seems (that's how the sloth hides so well.) There are actually multiple Red-Footed Tortoises. I'd say it's not the best fit for the saki (the Goeldi's Monkey exhibit is better), but it works.
The snow from earlier was mostly melted. It actually didn't snow until after I came back, making it a safe car drive back.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top