Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo Beardsley Zoo News

BeardsleyZooFan said:
If you went 7 years ago, that means you went around 2005 or 2006, correct? A lot changed; WOLF opened (new cabin allows for better views of wolves and expanded wolf habitats), a Bald Eagle exhibit opened (2010), the Andean Bear left the collection (2012), and some other highlights as well. You should visit again in 2014, Pampas Plains will be open.
Oh wow I just noticed that. Thanks for showing me that. I'm wrong everybody. Sofiya the Amur Leopard is not from Saint Louis Zoo. She's from Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. Another member told me earlier in the year she was from Saint Louis, and to be fair they did have a leopard there named Sophia.
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- I was considering visiting a friend up in Ct earlier this year but ended up heading down to new jersey (adventure aquarium) earlier this year. I will try to go in 2014 as there have been many changes along with the maritime aquarium. I remember liking the zoo but it was still behind the good maritime aquarium and the excellent Mystic Aquarium.
 
uszoo said:
- I was considering visiting a friend up in Ct earlier this year but ended up heading down to new jersey (adventure aquarium) earlier this year. I will try to go in 2014 as there have been many changes along with the maritime aquarium. I remember liking the zoo but it was still behind the good maritime aquarium and the excellent Mystic Aquarium.
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The aquarium went under a refurbishment in 2012, that greatly enhanced the visitor's experience, and made it look much better. The zoo has also renovated their otter and alligator exhibits in 2011, and the Amur Leopard exhibit surely enhanced the quality of the Predators section. Pampas Plains should improve the quality of the zoo in 2014, and the addition of Andean Bears, tapirs, and spider monkeys will also increase attendance to the zoo and improve it. They're also slowly working on an Asian section, starting with the leopard exhibit.
 
I was at the zoo today, and have lots of updates.
The Mexican Wolves are on exhibit, but one is off-exhibit due to an injury. Only one or two wolves will be on exhibit as they get accustomed to their new habitat.
There is a new bench in WOLF right in front of the glass panels for the Mexican Wolves. The back rest has a little carving a howling wolf.
The Chacoan Peccary boardwalk is finally refurbished, with new dry bamboo sticks backing the boardwalk up.
The Amur Leopard exhibit is open, but Sofiya hasn't really come out. The most people see of her is when she rarely pops her head out from her cave, and then retreats back in. I think the zoo made a mistake opening the exhibit in July, honestly.
The Sandhill Crane chicks weren't with their mother today, and the zoo took down the sign notifying guests of the babies, so I am wondering if they died.
The zoo might move one of the Bald Eagle sheds towards the visitor viewing area more so the eagles might provide better views of themselves.
The Bug House is back open! Habitats were refurbished, and there are new species.
The Cotswold Sheep were sheared.
The Nigerian Dwarf Goat kids are growing up, and so are the Guinea Hog piglets. Speaking of which, I only saw one piglet today, so I'm wondering if the others were already sent to zoos/nearby farms.
The Norway Rat exhibit was removed from the barn. Literally removed. The sign is still there though.
All 3 Barn Owls were on exhibit today, so I'm guessing breeding was unsuccessful.
The viewing for the ducklings was boarded up.
The Brazilian Agoutis weren't on exhibit today, not in the free-flight aviary or the Goeldi's Monkey exhibit.
The Emerald Tree Boa exhibit is still divided.
I have LOTS of news about South American Adventure, including its layout and species, and a potential animal for Pampas Plains that's kept no where else in the United States. But I'd rather share it through PM.
 
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Good to see progress occurring at this long stagnant zoo. I like how they focus on south america which is an area of the world the bronx zoo ignores. This zoo totally reminds me of the queens zoo as it almost nearly holds animals from the americas.
 
uszoo said:
Good to see progress occurring at this long stagnant zoo. I like how they focus on south america which is an area of the world the bronx zoo ignores. This zoo totally reminds me of the queens zoo as it almost nearly holds animals from the americas.
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Well when Greg Dancho wanted to get the zoo AZA accredited, he decided to focus the zoo on North and South American species and it has worked for the zoo thus far. The only non-Americas species the zoo has are some of the domestics, a few insects and education animals, Indian Peafowl, West African Helmeted Guineafowl, Koi, Amur Tigers, and now the Amur Leopard.

~Thylo:cool:
 
New directional signs have been placed throughout the zoo. Other new signs (not just regarding direction) were added.
Most of the exhibits in Professor Beardsley's Research Station were refurbished with new signage, new substrate, and new backgrounds. Also, the 2.0 American Alligators in the Ed. Department are gone (either now behind-the-scenes or back at Myrtle Beach) and Norbert the Bearded Dragon's tank is now in their spot. The Cane Toad tank was also removed.
It seems the Mexican Wolf that was injured is no longer in the Animal Care Clinic, as the sign noting her injury was taken down. The wolves also seem to be acclimating to their new habitat more, but still only 1 or 2 wolves are out on exhibit at a time.
A new TV screen in WOLF shows a live camera that is focused on the indoor quarters of the Mexican Wolves.
I saw Sofiya the new Amur Leopard today. However, I only saw her pacing inside her indoor quarters through an opening in her cave. She is still very nervous inside her new home. She was from Saint Louis originally, moved to Fort Wayne, and is now at Beardsley, so that clears up her origins.
Many climbing structures like tree trunks and branches were added to the lynx exhibit.
I again didn't see the crane chicks, so I fear they might have died.:(
They cleaned the viewing windows to the snapping turtle exhibit.
The Guinea Hog piglets are still at the zoo.
A slightly modified Brown Rat exhibit is in the barn again, and there are 2 new Brown Rats.
There were 3 ducks of an unidentified species/breed in the barn.
Oddly, chain-link fencing was added outside of the barn that creates an odd walkway leading you to either viewing of the Dexter Cow exhibit, or both the Dexter Cow and Greater Rhea exhibits.
There is now signage for the domestic poultry in the chicken coops.
Turns out there are 3 Mata-Mata Turtles in the caiman pool.
Unfortunately, Eko the female Pygmy Marmoset died earlier this year, and the zoo is seeking a new companion for the male, Weechie.
Also, I've known about this for a few months now, but forgot to tell you guys. CT Free Shakespeare won't be performing this summer at the zoo's Peacock Pavilion, but they hope to be there next year.
 
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ThylacineAlive said:
Are the Hispaniolan Sliders still in the caiman pool also?
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I didn't see the sliders, but I'm sure they're still there. The caimans were actually not visible today.
Also, forgot to mention that the catfish in the Map Turtle tank in Professor Beardsley's Research Station are no longer there.
 
BeardsleyZooFan said:
I didn't see the sliders, but I'm sure they're still there. The caimans were actually not visible today.
Also, forgot to mention that the catfish in the Map Turtle tank in Professor Beardsley's Research Station are no longer there.
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Well they do have a nice, large land area that's very well vegetated.

I didn't even know there were catfish in there:p They weren't there when I went! What species? And are there currently Brook Trout in there?

~Thylo:cool:
 
I will be visiting for the first time next weekend with family, as we will break from the clutches of my husband's family. my only question is, are the Chelus fimbriatus only found in with the Caiman yacare? I recall HSL making enclosures for them and others a few years back. Not sure if they are still there.
 
Gulo gulo said:
I will be visiting for the first time next weekend with family, as we will break from the clutches of my husband's family. my only question is, are the Chelus fimbriatus only found in with the Caiman yacare? I recall HSL making enclosures for them and others a few years back. Not sure if they are still there.
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Cool! Have a great time!:) I believe the Mata mata can only be found in the Yacare Caiman and Hispaniolan Slider enclosure. The pool isn't too deep so it wouldn't be too hard to spot them. There are three now anyways! What's HSL?

~Thylo:cool:
 
ThylacineAlive said:
I didn't even know there were catfish in there:p They weren't there when I went! What species? And are there currently Brook Trout in there?
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They only added the catfish in June, and then took them out. Probably because Galileo (the turtle) had issues with them. Galileo is still in that exhibit.
Gulo gulo- Great to hear you'll be visiting! Inside the caiman pool in South American Rainforest, there are 1.1 Yacare Caimans, 2.0 Hispaniolan Sliders, and 0.0.3 Mata-Mata Turtles. There is also 0.1 Red-Footed Tortoise inside the Golden-Lion Tamarin/Two-Toed Sloth exhibit, and 0.0.1 Yacare Caiman inside the Amazon Tree Boa exhibit.
 
BeardsleyZooFan said:
They only added the catfish in June, and then took them out. Probably because Galileo (the turtle) had issues with them. Galileo is still in that exhibit.
...and 0.0.1 Yacare Caiman inside the Amazon Tree Boa exhibit.
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Okay, thanks for the info.

They still have him in there! He looked too cramped when I saw him in September! He must be so cramped!!

~Thylo:cool:
 
ThylacineAlive said:
They still have him in there! He looked too cramped when I saw him in September! He must be so cramped!!
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The juvenile caiman does seem very cramped inside his exhibit, and while the exhibit is fine for the tree boas, it is awful for him. He can't even access a land area.
 
Thanks, Gents! looks forward to expanding my new england zoo visitation. we are down there often for family, so, why not finally see it? the mexican wolves and the amur leopard were great arm-twisters. HSL (Habitat Systems Limited) makes enclosures for animals, and they made some for Beardsley a few years back. they've also made them for Henry Doorly, Stone and others. it is great they are in a pool. they're unique animals, forvever smiling! also, the twins want to ride on camels. I know, but who am I to deny two 4 year olds? the carousel looks fun, too. Seeing Red and Mexican will be a nice treat. I also like Maned, but do not consider them wolves. Foxes on stilts.
 
Gulo gulo said:
Thanks, Gents! looks forward to expanding my new england zoo visitation. we are down there often for family, so, why not finally see it? the mexican wolves and the amur leopard were great arm-twisters. HSL (Habitat Systems Limited) makes enclosures for animals, and they made some for Beardsley a few years back. they've also made them for Henry Doorly, Stone and others. it is great they are in a pool. they're unique animals, forvever smiling! also, the twins want to ride on camels. I know, but who am I to deny two 4 year olds? the carousel looks fun, too. Seeing Red and Mexican will be a nice treat. I also like Maned, but do not consider them wolves. Foxes on stilts.
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Hopefully the wolves and leopard will be more acclimated to their habitats. Normally, the Mata-Matas aren't too visible, but today all 3 were in plain view, right next to each other! Camel rides are honestly like any other camel ride, just in a circle around their exhibit. But kids love it! The carousel should be a blast for your twins. I'm not sure if he'll be there still, but there's a guest singer right now who sings children-geared songs about animals. Hopefully all the canines, felids, and reptiles are active for you.
 
I hope so. seeing them at Stone and Franklin on the regs I am spoiled. I will try not to be judgemental on the MGW enclosure. it's hard not to compare to Stone's. that's great on C. fimbriatus. that's fine, they love animals. I think so, most don't care for rides and such, but it's pure revenue for Zoos. Fun! stuff like that is great for kids. it's fine if they're not, being around zoos for a decade, even sleeping animals are interesting. should we eat there? are they ok with bringing lunches? obviously no glass, straws, etc. I will still get a hot dog, regardless of what we do. can always tell how a place is by their dogs.
 
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