Buttonwood Park Zoo Buttonwood Park Zoo News
- Thread starter BeardsleyZooFan
- Start date
Mary
Well-Known Member
It is with great sadness the zoo has announced the loss of Blue, a male Atlantic harbor seal. The animal was observed to be ill starting on January 31 and died yesterday [February 5], hence the zoo's sudden closure for the day.
Cause apparently was bird flu...
Massachusetts zoo says harbor seal died from bird flu and more top stories
Source: YouTube
https://search.app/g7KT
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
Oh my gosh, this is absolutely terrible! Avian flu has gone from birds to big cats and now pinnipeds in the matter of mere months, it is just getting far more horrible than it already was. It is super annoying to see yet another zoo (and species family) suffer a loss of an animal to this terrible virus.
gardener14
Well-Known Member
Here's the zoo's Facebook post about the cause of death of the seal, Blue.
Log in to Facebook
Log in to Facebook
This is not the first zoo to lose a pinniped to avian flu, unfortunately. It is also documented to be devastating many colonies of wild pinnipeds. It is an absolutely terrible disease that hopefully can be mediated sooner than later.
Piece of January/February 2025 News Not Mentioned:
On January 15th, the zoo announced their (1.0) Virginia opossum named Odin passed away at age 3.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
On February 3rd, it was announced that the zoo transferred a bearded emperor tamarin named Reggiano to the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in Minnesota.
New Faces and Fresh Starts - Como Friends
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On February 19th, the zoo announced that due to avian influenza and the harbor seal's passing, they moved various at-risk species behind the scenes, and removed public duck feeders. The zoo also announced their other harbor seals remain in good health and were removed from Blue when the seal showed symptoms of being infected.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
On January 15th, the zoo announced their (1.0) Virginia opossum named Odin passed away at age 3.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
On February 3rd, it was announced that the zoo transferred a bearded emperor tamarin named Reggiano to the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in Minnesota.
New Faces and Fresh Starts - Como Friends
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On February 19th, the zoo announced that due to avian influenza and the harbor seal's passing, they moved various at-risk species behind the scenes, and removed public duck feeders. The zoo also announced their other harbor seals remain in good health and were removed from Blue when the seal showed symptoms of being infected.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
Last edited:
On February 25th, the zoo announced they temporarily moved their Argentine ruddy ducks into the Rainforest, Rivers, & Reefs building.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
On April 2nd, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) hedgehog (species not specified) from the Blank Park Zoo in Iowa which is now an animal ambassador.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
Buttonwood Park Zoo
On April 2nd, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) hedgehog (species not specified) from the Blank Park Zoo in Iowa which is now an animal ambassador.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
On May 3rd, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (0.1) Bolivian gray titi monkey to Capron Park Zoo in Massachusetts.
Capron Park Zoo
On June 2nd, the zoo announced they acquired 8 Virginia opossum joeys from local animal control after their mother was killed by a car. 2 of the opossums will be kept as ambassador animals, while the other 6 will be transferred to other AZA facilities in the future.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
On June 7th, the zoo announced that 2 American beavers named JJ and Widdle were born in late April. The zoo also announced their (1.0) beaver Justin passed away at age 6 before the recent birth due to an abcess in its lungs.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
Capron Park Zoo
On June 2nd, the zoo announced they acquired 8 Virginia opossum joeys from local animal control after their mother was killed by a car. 2 of the opossums will be kept as ambassador animals, while the other 6 will be transferred to other AZA facilities in the future.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
On June 7th, the zoo announced that 2 American beavers named JJ and Widdle were born in late April. The zoo also announced their (1.0) beaver Justin passed away at age 6 before the recent birth due to an abcess in its lungs.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
There will be a special tour of the new Animal Ambassador Center tomorrow! They didn't announce the official opening date, but hopefully, it will be very soon.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
Buttonwood Park Zoo
Piece of June 2025 News Not Mentioned:
On June 12th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) Nepalese red panda named Marie passed away at age 6 likely due to liver failure.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On June 29th, it was reported that the zoo will be opening the Animal Ambassador Center to the public sometime in early August.
Buttonwood Park Zoo's Ambassador Center expected to open August 2025
On July 2nd, the zoo announced that they installed a new wooden train play structure, as well as repainted the entrance of the facility.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
On July 4th, the zoo announced they renovated the bald eagle exhibit, adding new perches.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
On June 12th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) Nepalese red panda named Marie passed away at age 6 likely due to liver failure.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On June 29th, it was reported that the zoo will be opening the Animal Ambassador Center to the public sometime in early August.
Buttonwood Park Zoo's Ambassador Center expected to open August 2025
On July 2nd, the zoo announced that they installed a new wooden train play structure, as well as repainted the entrance of the facility.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
On July 4th, the zoo announced they renovated the bald eagle exhibit, adding new perches.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
PercideRolo
Well-Known Member
Log in to Facebook
Caging being built for monkey tail skink, tegu, pancake tortoise, mccord box turtle and more
Caging being built for monkey tail skink, tegu, pancake tortoise, mccord box turtle and more
A new golden-headed lion tamarin has joined the lone individual at the zoo. A new female Cabot's tragopan also arrived. She will hopefully produce chicks with the male, whose previous "girlfriend" passed away a few months ago.
The green basilisk passed away. Rainforests, Rivers, and Reefs has certainly felt somewhat empty as of late... One of the three pygmy marmosets has died, too.
The green basilisk passed away. Rainforests, Rivers, and Reefs has certainly felt somewhat empty as of late... One of the three pygmy marmosets has died, too.
Other Summer 2025 News Not Mentioned:
On July 6th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.3) long-tailed chinchillas from an animal hoarding situation, which will go on display in the Animal Ambassador Center when it opens.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
On July 14th, the zoo announced they acquired a female (0.1) cotton-top tamarin named Gidget from Hattiesburg Zoo in Mississippi, which is on display near the bald eagles.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
On July 18th, the zoo announced that 3 redhead ducks named Jam, Oats, and Toast hatched a few weeks prior, which are off-show.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
On July 21st, the zoo announced that 8 red-breasted geese hatched 4 days prior.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
On September 1st, the zoo opened Charlie's Nature Play area to the public.
Also on September 1st, it was announced that the zoo acquired a female (0.1) mallard duck from Newhouse Wildlife Rescue in Massachusetts, as well as a male (1.0) mallard from another private owner.
18K views · 344 reactions | Now open: Charlie’s Nature Play!
Our newly renovated outdoor play area is ready for adventurers! Explore the sandbox, mud kitchen, pebble harp, wooden building blocks, animal encounter space, and so much more, all designed to spark creativity and connect kids with nature. A special thank you to the Winterhalter Family for helping us create a space where the next generation of children can play, explore, and grow. | Buttonwood Park Zoo
Newhouse Wildlife Rescue
On September 4th, the zoo announced they moved their male (1.0) green aracari Rico into a new exhibit inside the Animal Ambassador Center, which will now open sometime in October.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
On September 6th, the zoo announced they renovated the Nepalese red panda exhibit, adding in new perching.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
* Worth mentioning that a senior head zookeeper named William "Bill" Sampson passed away at age 73 peacefully in his sleep on July 13th.
On July 6th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.3) long-tailed chinchillas from an animal hoarding situation, which will go on display in the Animal Ambassador Center when it opens.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
On July 14th, the zoo announced they acquired a female (0.1) cotton-top tamarin named Gidget from Hattiesburg Zoo in Mississippi, which is on display near the bald eagles.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
On July 18th, the zoo announced that 3 redhead ducks named Jam, Oats, and Toast hatched a few weeks prior, which are off-show.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
On July 21st, the zoo announced that 8 red-breasted geese hatched 4 days prior.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
On September 1st, the zoo opened Charlie's Nature Play area to the public.
Also on September 1st, it was announced that the zoo acquired a female (0.1) mallard duck from Newhouse Wildlife Rescue in Massachusetts, as well as a male (1.0) mallard from another private owner.
18K views · 344 reactions | Now open: Charlie’s Nature Play!
Our newly renovated outdoor play area is ready for adventurers! Explore the sandbox, mud kitchen, pebble harp, wooden building blocks, animal encounter space, and so much more, all designed to spark creativity and connect kids with nature. A special thank you to the Winterhalter Family for helping us create a space where the next generation of children can play, explore, and grow. | Buttonwood Park ZooNewhouse Wildlife Rescue
On September 4th, the zoo announced they moved their male (1.0) green aracari Rico into a new exhibit inside the Animal Ambassador Center, which will now open sometime in October.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
On September 6th, the zoo announced they renovated the Nepalese red panda exhibit, adding in new perching.
Buttonwood Park Zoo
* Worth mentioning that a senior head zookeeper named William "Bill" Sampson passed away at age 73 peacefully in his sleep on July 13th.
PercideRolo
Well-Known Member
Showing some of the bio-active terraria done in collaboration with New England Herpetoculture. Exciting! Between NEHerp and XIII Serpents with the custom pvc enclosures, the animals will have plenty of space and great quality of life.
Log in to Facebook
Log in to Facebook
Went to see the new ambassador animal building today, the first day it is open to the public. The building is nice and the exhibits are decent especially the reptile and amphibian exhibits. Below is a list of the animal in the building, not everything is on exhibit yet and there seems to be a couple of open spaces to add more. Viewing some of the animals will be difficult due to placement of the tanks (some further back than others and the type of animal). The herps, inverts and small mammals are in separate rooms with enclosures that you look into.
Here is the list of species
2 Red Foxes (one which is mostly white and one blackish gray)
Black & white Tegu (coming soon)
Giant African Millipede
Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec (not visible)
Hedgehog sp. (not visible)
Bumblebee Poison Dart Frog
Blue Poison Dart Frog
Green & black Poison Dart Frog
Red-banded Poison Dart Frog (coming soon)
Panamanian Golden Frog (coming soon) still in the old location at the beginning of the zoo which will purportedly be replaced with a photo booth. (I dislike it when exhibits are replaced with non animal space)
Prehensile-tailed Skink (not visible)
Russian Tortoise
Pancake Tortoise
McCord's Box Turtle (coming soon)
Leopard Gecko (not visible)
2 Striped Skunks
Green Aracari (Rico)
Virginia Opposum (not visible)
Long-tailed Chinchilla (not visible)
Other items of note
The zoo currently doesn't have Mountain Lions and are waiting for ones to become available ( uncertain what happened to the 2nd cat, I know one passed away)
The zoo is down to 18 species of waterfowl (possibly one more saw a female type duck that I don't think was a Mallard) which is about half of what they used too have and number of individuals is way down too.
The rainforest building still feels and looks empty (with the exception of multiple House Mice running around in 2 exhibits!) and the touch tank now has no live animals and only fake ones in it.
A new exhibit is coming to the tank between the Moon Jellies and the seahorses.
Despite my somewhat negative comments the zoo was enjoyable and most of its core species were visible.
Here is the list of species
2 Red Foxes (one which is mostly white and one blackish gray)
Black & white Tegu (coming soon)
Giant African Millipede
Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec (not visible)
Hedgehog sp. (not visible)
Bumblebee Poison Dart Frog
Blue Poison Dart Frog
Green & black Poison Dart Frog
Red-banded Poison Dart Frog (coming soon)
Panamanian Golden Frog (coming soon) still in the old location at the beginning of the zoo which will purportedly be replaced with a photo booth. (I dislike it when exhibits are replaced with non animal space)
Prehensile-tailed Skink (not visible)
Russian Tortoise
Pancake Tortoise
McCord's Box Turtle (coming soon)
Leopard Gecko (not visible)
2 Striped Skunks
Green Aracari (Rico)
Virginia Opposum (not visible)
Long-tailed Chinchilla (not visible)
Other items of note
The zoo currently doesn't have Mountain Lions and are waiting for ones to become available ( uncertain what happened to the 2nd cat, I know one passed away)
The zoo is down to 18 species of waterfowl (possibly one more saw a female type duck that I don't think was a Mallard) which is about half of what they used too have and number of individuals is way down too.
The rainforest building still feels and looks empty (with the exception of multiple House Mice running around in 2 exhibits!) and the touch tank now has no live animals and only fake ones in it.
A new exhibit is coming to the tank between the Moon Jellies and the seahorses.
Despite my somewhat negative comments the zoo was enjoyable and most of its core species were visible.
gardener14
Well-Known Member
Are the animals you listed as "not visible" off exhibit or placed in difficult to view positions or just hiding during your time?
BY "Not Visible" I meant just that, I am assuming they were in their enclosure and were just not visible to me whether hiding or in a difficult to view position.
gardener14
Well-Known Member
Thank you for clarifying that. And it's disappointing to hear about the rainforest building being sparce, especially about the touch tank being empty of live animals.