Agree with Thylo about the Forest Park Zoo thread idea. To answer your question however, I have been to Beardsley once so far this year.
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo Beardsley Zoo News
- Thread starter BeardsleyZooFan
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Agree with Thylo about the Forest Park Zoo thread idea. To answer your question however, I have been to Beardsley once so far this year.
If I do that it'll just get buried under everything haha. But fair enough.
How was it?
Not much has happened this spring besides construction on Pampas Plains. The boardwalk and its accompanying viewing stations have been built, and it continues to be worked on. Not much work has been done in the main yard (former Llama exhibit.) They are also building the stream that will traverse across the exhibit. Pampas Plains should open anytime from late June to August.
Signs have been posted of the original Andes Adventure plans in the WOLF Cabin and the cafe. They're outdated, but they show what the original plan for Andes Adventure would be like, and provide some glimpse into what Pampas Plains will be like. Photos will be up in the gallery.
The new Red Wolves are still somewhat hesitant to leave their indoor quarters, but they do come out, usually during the earlier half of the day. The female usually stays hidden in a den in the exhibit.
I saw the new leopards for the first time a few weeks ago. The male is named Oskar and the female is named Freya. They're looking to send Oskar out and find a breeding partner for Freya.
No otter kits were born this year, despite suspicions that the female otter, Nessie, was pregnant.
The new birds (whistling ducks and gallinule) aren't here yet; neither are the South American turtles.
Signs have been posted of the original Andes Adventure plans in the WOLF Cabin and the cafe. They're outdated, but they show what the original plan for Andes Adventure would be like, and provide some glimpse into what Pampas Plains will be like. Photos will be up in the gallery.
The new Red Wolves are still somewhat hesitant to leave their indoor quarters, but they do come out, usually during the earlier half of the day. The female usually stays hidden in a den in the exhibit.
I saw the new leopards for the first time a few weeks ago. The male is named Oskar and the female is named Freya. They're looking to send Oskar out and find a breeding partner for Freya.
No otter kits were born this year, despite suspicions that the female otter, Nessie, was pregnant.
The new birds (whistling ducks and gallinule) aren't here yet; neither are the South American turtles.
6 Guinea Hog piglets have been born to breeding pair of Guinea Hogs, Hampton J. Pig and Olivia. The piglets are on exhibit now through summer. This is apparently the sixth year in a row in which Hampton and Olivia had piglets.
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs112/1102516344155/archive/1121074390701.html
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs112/1102516344155/archive/1121074390701.html
They're sent to various zoos, farms, or other animal-places (such as the Stamford Museum and Nature Center.)
The camels have arrived again for the summer. This is Toby and Goliath's third year at the zoo, while it's newcomer Gabriel's first year.
Camel Rides Here for the Summer! | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
Camel Rides Here for the Summer! | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
This is a question about funding for the zoo.
As far as I know, the zoo does not do too well financially, so how are they funding pampas plains, and how much money is the renovation costing?
As far as I know, the zoo does not do too well financially, so how are they funding pampas plains, and how much money is the renovation costing?
Exciting news from the June newsletter! The zoo is putting Eastern Hellbenders on exhibit starting mid-June. Here is the description offered in the newsletter, as well as a link itself:
"Visit Professor Beardsley's Research Station starting in mid-June to see a new exhibit, sponsored by Aquarion, of three Eastern hellbenders. These giant salamanders are around 16-19 inches long and are a threatened species in their native region of upstate New York and Pennsylvania. Not only an animal feature, the new exhibit showcases our conservation effects with clean water sustainability by showing visitors the life support system below the tank. We hope you enjoy this up-close look at a species never before exhibited at our Zoo."
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs134/1100650408973/archive/1121102472788.html
@ZooElephantsMan- I don't know how much the exhibit is costing in total, but funding is coming for Pampas Plains is coming from donations. The Andean Bear exhibit, which comes later, was given $2.5 million by the state.
"Visit Professor Beardsley's Research Station starting in mid-June to see a new exhibit, sponsored by Aquarion, of three Eastern hellbenders. These giant salamanders are around 16-19 inches long and are a threatened species in their native region of upstate New York and Pennsylvania. Not only an animal feature, the new exhibit showcases our conservation effects with clean water sustainability by showing visitors the life support system below the tank. We hope you enjoy this up-close look at a species never before exhibited at our Zoo."
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs134/1100650408973/archive/1121102472788.html
@ZooElephantsMan- I don't know how much the exhibit is costing in total, but funding is coming for Pampas Plains is coming from donations. The Andean Bear exhibit, which comes later, was given $2.5 million by the state.
I was pressed for time this weekend, so I couldn't get any updates from the farmyard or rainforest.
The new hellbender exhibit inside the Research Station is open with 3 of the salamanders occupying it. It's a pretty good-sized tank for a species that doesn't really do much. There could probably be a few more rocks for them to hide underneath, but it's a nice exhibit. They're in between a new tank for Brook Trout and a tank for 2 juvenile alligators.
12 Spurred-Thigh Tortoises are on exhibit outside the Greenhouse until Labor Day, just like last year.
The Pronghorn yard, which used to just be a dusty paddock a few years ago, is covered with lush grass. The viewing area of the exhibit has also been spruced up, with some small trees planted and a new bench in memory of someone named Vito Renda. The leopard exhibit also has some nice plantings, while the lynx exhibit looks barer than usual.
As for Pampas Plains, the boardwalk seems to be finished. They're finishing up the viewing stations right now it seems. They've dug out the area where the stream will flow, and they seem to be working on the yard right now. I'm going to guess that the opening date will be in August.
Also, there is an open crate inside the peccary yard, presumably training the peccaries to become accustomed to the crate before their move to Pampas Plains. I saw one of the peccaries walk in the crate on my visit, so they definitely seem to be getting comfortable with it.
The new hellbender exhibit inside the Research Station is open with 3 of the salamanders occupying it. It's a pretty good-sized tank for a species that doesn't really do much. There could probably be a few more rocks for them to hide underneath, but it's a nice exhibit. They're in between a new tank for Brook Trout and a tank for 2 juvenile alligators.
12 Spurred-Thigh Tortoises are on exhibit outside the Greenhouse until Labor Day, just like last year.
The Pronghorn yard, which used to just be a dusty paddock a few years ago, is covered with lush grass. The viewing area of the exhibit has also been spruced up, with some small trees planted and a new bench in memory of someone named Vito Renda. The leopard exhibit also has some nice plantings, while the lynx exhibit looks barer than usual.
As for Pampas Plains, the boardwalk seems to be finished. They're finishing up the viewing stations right now it seems. They've dug out the area where the stream will flow, and they seem to be working on the yard right now. I'm going to guess that the opening date will be in August.
Also, there is an open crate inside the peccary yard, presumably training the peccaries to become accustomed to the crate before their move to Pampas Plains. I saw one of the peccaries walk in the crate on my visit, so they definitely seem to be getting comfortable with it.
Any outlay plans for these exciting renovations!???
The hellbenders are a first for Beardsley?
There have been a number of plans and sketches for the exhibit, but they've changed so much. The species list includes Maned Wolves (their current exhibit will become part of the complex), Chacoan Peccaries and Greater Rheas (both already at the zoo) and two new species, Giant Anteaters and Vicuñas. Below are several of the site plans the zoo has displayed. You can see how much plans have changed, not only in terms of species but in design, especially in the two below, which were the plans from 2004 for Andes Adventure.
They've had hellbenders since 2012 I believe. They had them behind-the-scenes for 3 years as they got familiar with the husbandry, and now they finally have them on exhibit.
Attachments
The two Giant Anteaters are on-exhibit. No idea on whether that means all of Pampas Plains is open or if the Vicuna are on-exhibit yet or not.
~Thylo
~Thylo
The two Giant Anteaters are on-exhibit. No idea on whether that means all of Pampas Plains is open or if the Vicuna are on-exhibit yet or not.
~Thylo
According to the zoo's AAZK Facebook page, the rheas and peccaries will be going on display soon as the anteaters get acclimated to their new exhibit. Nothing was said about the Vicunas. There is some info about the new anteaters as well as general anteater info here. Giant Anteater | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
Here is a video of one of the female anteater on exhibit for the first time.
https://www.facebook.com/201470569930176/videos/vb.201470569930176/864855346925025/?type=3&theater
The zoo has a brand new website.
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
There are several pieces of news from the Rainforest:
The Pygmy Marmoset exhibit is temporarily closed.
Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks are on display in the main aviary.
Rosario the male Black Howler Monkey has died at 15 years. His companion, 29 year old Zuele (oldest howler monkey in the world) remains indoors for now with the sakis, instead of going into the seasonal outdoor howler cage.
I really like the new website. So much better than the old one though it still needs a bit of work. Some of the animal pages are incomplete, there are a few typos, and they incorrectly refer to their Canada Lynx as Felis lynx. And the animal they refer to as a Gromphadorhina portentosa is not that species, which is odd because I know they have the correct name at the zoo (though I don't remember the species atm). I also find their decision to still include species not kept in the collection but commonly seen wild on zoo grounds in their species list odd.
The site says the zoo exhibits Llamas in Pampas Plains and then shows photos of more than just the one animal they've had for a while. Does the zoo plan to keep them mixed with the Giant Anteaters? Maybe until the Vicuna go out?
Also, according to the new site, the zoo exhibits Wild Turkeys again (at least I thought they went out of them?), anyone know where they're from/what subspecies?
Finally, on the Conservation page it shows a photo of a Kea. Does the zoo have Keas now?
Be a pleasant surprise if so.
~Thylo
The site says the zoo exhibits Llamas in Pampas Plains and then shows photos of more than just the one animal they've had for a while. Does the zoo plan to keep them mixed with the Giant Anteaters? Maybe until the Vicuna go out?
Also, according to the new site, the zoo exhibits Wild Turkeys again (at least I thought they went out of them?), anyone know where they're from/what subspecies?
Finally, on the Conservation page it shows a photo of a Kea. Does the zoo have Keas now?
Be a pleasant surprise if so.~Thylo
I really like the new website. So much better than the old one though it still needs a bit of work. Some of the animal pages are incomplete, there are a few typos, and they incorrectly refer to their Canada Lynx as Felis lynx. And the animal they refer to as a Gromphadorhina portentosa is not that species, which is odd because I know they have the correct name at the zoo (though I don't remember the species atm). I also find their decision to still include species not kept in the collection but commonly seen wild on zoo grounds in their species list odd.
The site says the zoo exhibits Llamas in Pampas Plains and then shows photos of more than just the one animal they've had for a while. Does the zoo plan to keep them mixed with the Giant Anteaters? Maybe until the Vicuna go out?
Also, according to the new site, the zoo exhibits Wild Turkeys again (at least I thought they went out of them?), anyone know where they're from/what subspecies?
Finally, on the Conservation page it shows a photo of a Kea. Does the zoo have Keas now?
~Thylo
The new website is definitely an improvement. Those issues will hopefully be corrected soon. I too am boggled by that decision to include the wild species as zoo animals.
I don't understand why they say the Llama will be in Pampas Plains. As far as I know, Lawrence will remain in the farmyard. That photo of the other Llama was the one that died about two years ago.
I don't know whether the turkey info is just outdated info transferred from the old website, which was created back when the zoo did exhibit turkeys. I did see a turkey in the bison/deer exhibit in June, but I assumed it was wild bird, and might be. I'll look into it next time I go, but I would just assume that it's outdated info from the old website.
The Kea might be from the bird show that was several years ago. But no, the zoo doesn't have Keas.
The zoo has two new anteaters, Pana and EO.
Beardsley Zoo welcomes pair of giant anteaters - StamfordAdvocate
Beardsley Zoo welcomes pair of giant anteaters - StamfordAdvocate
The zoo is finally about to install their "living roof" for the Rainforest building.
Connecticut?s Beardsley Zoo to build living roof over Rainforest Building | Bridgeport News
Gregg Dancho talked on HAN Radio about the Pampas Plains exhibit and its anteaters. The talk about Pampas Plains is for the first 6 minutes of the video. He also explains why the Vicuñas are not on display yet. He says that in the process of bringing the animals overseas from Berlin, there were a number of issues such as paperwork, quarantine and whatnot. The 3.0 Vicuñas should be on display in spring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSWYbqrq66Y
Connecticut?s Beardsley Zoo to build living roof over Rainforest Building | Bridgeport News
Gregg Dancho talked on HAN Radio about the Pampas Plains exhibit and its anteaters. The talk about Pampas Plains is for the first 6 minutes of the video. He also explains why the Vicuñas are not on display yet. He says that in the process of bringing the animals overseas from Berlin, there were a number of issues such as paperwork, quarantine and whatnot. The 3.0 Vicuñas should be on display in spring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSWYbqrq66Y
Today I visited, for the first time, Beardsley zoo and I thought it was a very nice and small (but hard to photograph) zoo. If anyone has any questions either post here or pm me. And if anyone's curious, the pampas exhibit was nice. Post pictures later.
P.S., it seems that the zoo is going to try to make a whole South American themed exhibit to make it seem like one exhibit. I saw there were plans for Andean bears, coati, and tapir. Vicunas coming soon.
P.P.S., chatroom is a nice place to ask/answer questions
P.S., it seems that the zoo is going to try to make a whole South American themed exhibit to make it seem like one exhibit. I saw there were plans for Andean bears, coati, and tapir. Vicunas coming soon.
P.P.S., chatroom is a nice place to ask/answer questions