I'd think they should be okay, if enough support is rallied. They're an AZA so that gives them some good advantage in leveraging support.
Capron Park Zoo Capron Park Zoo News
- Thread starter BeardsleyZooFan
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I'd think they should be okay, if enough support is rallied. They're an AZA so that gives them some good advantage in leveraging support.
I don't want to speculate too much, since this is an ongoing process and the information we have available to us now likely isn't the whole picture. However, I am fairly optimistic that the zoo can survive this for a few reasons:
1. Plenty of zoos have survived times of economic hardship in the past. Locally, look at the two Zoo New England facilities that have a long history of fiscal challenges, but also look at zoos in other parts of the country (Zoo Montana comes to mind as another small zoo with a history of fiscal problems), and you'll find a number of zoos who could come back from being in a bad place economically.
2. There seems to be a lot of local support for the zoo. The city council vote to give them the relief funds was unanimous, and while Attleboro is not a wealthy city, so there isn't unlimited money flowing around, there does seem to be a lot of support for the zoo within city officials who want to do what's best for the zoo. Oftentimes zoos who have gone under did not have as much support from their community, so it's important to acknowledge how important this support is.
3. I know (or know of) probably around half of the members of this task force. There are a number of smart minds on it from a variety of backgrounds, and I think you'll see some really great ideas coming out of it. Former mayor Kevin Dumas, who is chairing the task force, is a really smart guy with a history in finance, and he lives right across from the zoo so you have people on it with some great perspectives who can bring out some different ideas on how to move forward. It's also great that the zoo and parks department also had representatives on this task force, so there's a good diversity of perspectives both from within and outside the zoo world.
4. Just this fall, the zoo was re-accredited by the AZA. The AZA looks at finances during the re-accreditation process, and that's actually the number one reason zoos lose their accreditation. If these issues were serious enough that closure was an imminent threat, I would've expected the AZA to sound the alarms and revoke Capron's accreditation.
A Palawan porcupine named Bruce arrived from the San Antonio Zoo and is being displayed in the nocturnal building! This vastly improves the collection, if you ask me, so I plan on being at the zoo in the coming weeks.
From Facebook:
"Meet Bruce!!! Bruce is a Philippine (or Palawan) Porcupine that came to us from San Antonio Zoo. We are incredibly excited to have him here with us! Bruce is very smart and charismatic, and we are sure he will win over your hearts like he has ours. Find him in his new home in the nocturnal building!"
From Facebook:
"Meet Bruce!!! Bruce is a Philippine (or Palawan) Porcupine that came to us from San Antonio Zoo. We are incredibly excited to have him here with us! Bruce is very smart and charismatic, and we are sure he will win over your hearts like he has ours. Find him in his new home in the nocturnal building!"
King of Komodo Dragons
Well-Known Member
I am a bit sad to here he left San Antonio already, The zoo only made a post about him a few months ago, so I was hoping to see him on my next visit
. Hope he enjoys his new home though!
Other 2023 News:
On April 21st, the zoo officially announced they acquired (1.1) Geoffroy's marmosets named Flash and Kai from the Philadelphia Zoo in Pennsylvania which are now on exhibit with the Hoffmann's two-toed sloth and nine-banded armadillo in the back of the otter building.
On May 31st, it was reported that a new figure was released by the task force that the zoo would need around $477,000 to renovate the facility, though the figure doesn't include costs of demolishing the pavilion building and constructing a new pavilion building, replacing heaters in the Nocturnal and Rainforest buildings, and the installation of ducts, insulation, and air conditioning in the Sadler Building.
Much work to be done at financially strapped Capron Park Zoo in Attleboro
On April 21st, the zoo officially announced they acquired (1.1) Geoffroy's marmosets named Flash and Kai from the Philadelphia Zoo in Pennsylvania which are now on exhibit with the Hoffmann's two-toed sloth and nine-banded armadillo in the back of the otter building.
On May 31st, it was reported that a new figure was released by the task force that the zoo would need around $477,000 to renovate the facility, though the figure doesn't include costs of demolishing the pavilion building and constructing a new pavilion building, replacing heaters in the Nocturnal and Rainforest buildings, and the installation of ducts, insulation, and air conditioning in the Sadler Building.
Much work to be done at financially strapped Capron Park Zoo in Attleboro
gardener14
Well-Known Member
What is meant by "the pavilion building?" Is that the building with the gift shop, concessions, and restrooms?
Yes. It also houses the zoo's classroom, offices, and staff break room.
- there are now two unsigned birds in the Tropical Rainforest: a collared finch-billed bulbul and a red-crested turaco
- the fennec fox and green tree python enclosures each had a laminated piece of paper taped to them stating that the animals were off-exhibit
- A Reeve's muntjac is on exhibit adjacent to the red-crowned cranes. They haven't been reported as far as I've seen.
- the fennec fox and green tree python enclosures each had a laminated piece of paper taped to them stating that the animals were off-exhibit
- A Reeve's muntjac is on exhibit adjacent to the red-crowned cranes. They haven't been reported as far as I've seen.
The bulbul has been in there for years (and was in the old building prior to renovation). There might also still be an unsigned Snowy Robin Chat and Red-crested Cardinals that were there since the start, although I haven't been to the zoo in over a year now so they may or may not still be there. I'm glad turacos have returned though. I'm also glad that muntjac have returned. That exhibit used to house muntjac prior to when the warty pigs were acquired in 2005, and it'll be nice seeing ungulates in that exhibit again. Up until 2016 or so there was a muntjac in with the red-crowned cranes also.
I accidentally wrote "turaco," meaning "cardinal." I apologize for that.
Aw, that's disappointing. No need to apologize though, we all make mistakes sometimes
On June 26th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) fennec fox named Hannah passed away at age 11 due to terminal liver cancer.
Capron Park Zoo
Capron Park Zoo
gardener14
Well-Known Member
It's sad news, but I hope they can bring new life to that building soon. There are currently several empty exhibits there. Also the indoor and outside exhibit space where I believe the water monitor lizard used to be are still vacant. These would be great additions to a small but lovely zoo.
On June 30th, the zoo announced the bat's name, Heiwo.
Capron Park Zoo
On July 5th, the zoo announced that a (1.0) red kangaroo named Drax passed away at age 6 due to a sudden decline in health.
Capron Park Zoo
On July 6th, the zoo announced that (0.0.3) red-footed tortoises named Guacamole, Queso, and Salsa hatched. They were found by a guest on the floor of the Rainforest Building on June 25th and are now behind the scenes.
Capron Park Zoo
Capron Park Zoo
One of the zoo's recent posts on Facebook stated that corn snake Houdini passed away. An operation had been done on him earlier in the year and they discovered he had cancer, through a skin mass that was removed. He received adjusted care because of this in his last months.
A new entrance is opening next week.
Ribbon cutting to be held for new entrance at Capron Park Zoo in Attleboro
Ribbon cutting to be held for new entrance at Capron Park Zoo in Attleboro
The City of Attleboro has shared a survey asking for feedback on improving the zoo and its community impact. I suspect some of you might be interested in responding to this survey and voicing areas you wish the zoo to improve in.
Here is a link to the survey:
Capron Park Zoo Survey
Here is a link to the survey:
Capron Park Zoo Survey
Two blue-fronted amazons, Lucky and Woodstock, are on display in the nocturnal building! It's good to see more animals added to the zoo, especially in the nocturnal building. Where they're residing does seem a bit strange, but I don't think it really matters because the zoo is struggling so much.
Facebook post:
"Meet our Blue Fronted Amazon Parrots! Lucky on the right and Woodstock on the left are both 18 years old. These birds are so intelligent- they already know how to target, step up onto a perch, as well as a scale! Come say hello next time you're in the Nocturnal Building!"
Facebook post:
"Meet our Blue Fronted Amazon Parrots! Lucky on the right and Woodstock on the left are both 18 years old. These birds are so intelligent- they already know how to target, step up onto a perch, as well as a scale! Come say hello next time you're in the Nocturnal Building!"