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Zoo's news

By JESSICA SUMMERS Calling all ghosts and goblins! Our newest event, Howl O Ween, continues on Oct. 30 and 31 from 6 to 9 pm. Come and spend a truly fun and frightful evening at the Zoo featuring a Bigfoot Hayride, Haunted Farmyard, a Mystery Maze and magic show by Jim Sisti. Your ticket also includes FREE face painting, kettle corn, and of course, CANDY! Don't miss this hauntingly good time! Admission is $6 per person. The event is recommended for children ages 6-10. (Please note: Face painting not available on Oct. 31.)    This is also the last weekend to see the entries in our 2nd Annual Scarecrow Competition. You can also enjoy a Harvest Hay Ride every weekend as well as school holidays through Nov. 30. Rides begin at the W.O.L.F. Cabin and are $2 each.

Free fishing program at the zoo

Children ages 7 to 16 are invited to join us for the free CARE family fishing program on Wednesday, Aug. 12 from 1 to 2:30 pm. We provide free bait and tackle, and you bring your enthusiasm for the great outdoors.

 

We'll meet at our Hanson Exploration Station on the south side of our parking lot, so Zoo admission is not required. Children who are 16 and over need to bring a current valid CT fishing license with them. We will then travel into Beardsley Park to fish in Bunnell Pond.

 

We have nearly 20 spots available. Please RSVP by calling our Education Department at 203-394-6563.

New female tiger on display

Have you seen Naka yet? She's our new Amur tiger that went on exhibit recently. She's a bit shy, but she's a beautiful animal. Naka is 5 years old and came to us from the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, NY. Amur tigers are an endangered species, and we are proud to feature them here in Bridgeport for all our visitors to see. 

Summer is wild at Beardsley Zoo

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, the state’s only Zoo, is pleased to release their summer 2009 programming calendar.  The schedule includes fun events for the entire family each month, most of which are free with the cost of admission.
 
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Adult admission (ages 12 & older) is $11.00, children (ages 3 -11) and senior admission (62 and older) is just $9.00, and children under 3 years old are free.  Members of the Connecticut Zoological Society are also admitted free.  Parking at the Zoo is free of charge.  The main information phone number is: (203) 394-6565.

June
 
June 17: Evening Lecture Series:  Puma Predation in Chile, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Professor Melissa Grigione of Pace University will discuss how ecological and manmade elements influence home range size and location for particular species.  Her research emphasizes conservation biology due to her work with species whose populations have been seriously altered as a consequence of habitat degradation and fragmentation.  In addition to wildlife biology, conserving these species requires an intimate knowledge of political and legislative systems as well as community-level human dimension practices.  This lecture, taking place in the Hanson Exploration Station, is part of the Evening Lecture Series, sponsored by Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo Volunteer Association.  Admission is FREE with donations gratefully accepted.  Refreshments will be served.
 
June 23 - 30: Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo’s Country Fair
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is hosting a Country Fair to highlight Connecticut’s rich tradition of farming.  The Zoo will highlight its Heritage Breed animals and inspire healthy life style choices by showcasing regional and sustainable agricultural practices. The Country Fair will occupy a section of the Zoo which includes both the farmyard exhibits and a main stage.  The area that leads to these venues is where the Country Fair experience will begin.  The Main stage will host multiple shows throughout the week.  These shows will range from interactive, educational animal presentations and livelihood segments to environmental vaudeville and music reviews. A rotation of shows will be hosted daily with headlining acts marketed on the weekends.  A variety of concessions will also be sold to enhance the “fair” experience.
 
June 23 - June 28 & June 30: A Day at the Farm at the Country Fair
Tuesday through Friday at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
Come on over and meet the fascinating characters found at the Country Fair “A Day at the Farm” Show, you will see and learn about amazing animals, including Heritage Breed farm animals and native wildlife.  Explore New England farming and have fun along the way. Presented at the Zoo’s Learning Circle, this summer-long event is free with Zoo admission. 

June 27: Animal Enrichment Day, Noon - 3:00 pm
Animal enrichment provides animals with items and activities that enhance their mental and physical well-being.  By utilizing different forms of enrichment such as sensory, mobility and dietary, we are able to promote natural behaviors such as scent marking, climbing and foraging.  Animal Enrichment Day gives visitors an opportunity to learn about how Zoo staff enriches animal life.  Join us for talks, demonstrations and a display of enrichment items used at the Zoo, and a raffle to win a behind-the-scenes tour at the Zoo!
 
June 29 - 30: Animal Tales, 1:00 pm
Visit us for story time, a special craft and even an animal encounter each day. All activities are free with the purchase of Zoo admission.  Families with children under age 6 are welcome.
 

New pigs

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, the state's only Zoo, welcomed the birth of eight Guinea Hog piglets on April 16, 2009.  Mom and dad are two Guinea Hogs currently on exhibit at the Zoo - named Olivia and Hamton J. Pig.  Visitors are invited to come to the Zoo to meet the eight new additions to the Zoo's family.
 
"Unlike the original "Octomom," our Olivia looks nothing like Angelina Jolie," joked Zoo director, Gregg Dancho.  "Mom and her entire litter are healthy and doing well."
 
The piglets range in weight from just under one pound to two pounds.  When fully grown, Guinea Hogs may reach 100 to 300 pounds.  They also are known as Pineywoods Guinea, Acorn eater, Guinea Forest hog, and Yard pig.  According to the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC), the hogs were once the most numerous pig breed found on farms in the Southeast but today there are fewer than 200.  Guinea hogs are classified as critical (versus endangered) by ALBC and are unique to the United States.
 
The Zoo exhibits the guinea hogs in the New England Farmyard.  The Zoo's one male and two female guinea hogs came from Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita and Virginia Zoo (respectively).  The other female, Jodie, also is expecting.
 
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Adult admission (ages 12 & older) is $11.00, children (ages 3 -11) and senior admission (62 and older) is just $9.00, and children under 3 years old are free.  Members of the Connecticut Zoological Society also are admitted free.  Parking at the Zoo is free of charge.Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, the state's only Zoo, welcomed the birth of eight Guinea Hog piglets on April 16, 2009.  Mom and dad are two Guinea Hogs currently on exhibit at the Zoo - named Olivia and Hamton J. Pig.  Visitors are invited to come to the Zoo to meet the eight new additions to the Zoo's family.
 
"Unlike the original "Octomom," our Olivia looks nothing like Angelina Jolie," joked Zoo director, Gregg Dancho.  "Mom and her entire litter are healthy and doing well."
 
The piglets range in weight from just under one pound to two pounds.  When fully grown, Guinea Hogs may reach 100 to 300 pounds.  They also are known as Pineywoods Guinea, Acorn eater, Guinea Forest hog, and Yard pig.  According to the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC), the hogs were once the most numerous pig breed found on farms in the Southeast but today there are fewer than 200.  Guinea hogs are classified as critical (versus endangered) by ALBC and are unique to the United States.
 
The Zoo exhibits the guinea hogs in the New England Farmyard.  The Zoo's one male and two female guinea hogs came from Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita and Virginia Zoo (respectively).  The other female, Jodie, also is expecting.
 
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Adult admission (ages 12 & older) is $11.00, children (ages 3 -11) and senior admission (62 and older) is just $9.00, and children under 3 years old are free.  Members of the Connecticut Zoological Society also are admitted free.  Parking at the Zoo is free of charge.

No, it's not going to be Oscar the Ocelot

By CARYN KAUFMAN

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, located on the Upper East Side, is pleased to announce the results of its ocelot kitten naming contest.  The winning name is... Milagre, meaning "miracle" in Portuguese.   The name was chosen through votes cast by Zoo visitors during the months of March and April.  Milagre was born on Halloween via a groundbreaking artificial insemination (AI)procedure. 
 
"Milagre is growing fast and we want everyone to come visit him while he's still in his playful kitten stage," said Gregg Dancho, Zoo director. 
 
"Milagre" received a majority of votes over the two additional name choices - Mopua and Bruxo.  Since this is only the third time in history that AI has successfully produced an endangered ocelot kitten in captivity, the staff chose Mopua' (*Pron. Mo pu a'), which means "three" in Portuguese.  Bruxa translates to "witch," with the male version of Bruxa being Bruxo.  Portuguese names were chosen as a nod to the kitten's Brazilian heritage.
 
This is the first time ever that the AI procedure has been used specifically to manage this endangered species.  This also is the first ocelot kitten to be born at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo.
 
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Adult admission (ages 12 & older) is $11.00, children (ages 3 -11) and senior admission (62 and older) is just $9.00, and children under 3 years old are free.  Members of the Connecticut Zoological Society also are admitted free.  Parking at the Zoo is free of charge.

Beardsley Zoo to celebrate the Year of the Ox

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, the state's only zoo, invites families to take part in special programming to celebrate Asian New Year on Saturday, January 31,  from Noon to 3:00 P.M.  Visitors are welcome to dress up for the celebration. 
 
The Year of the Ox celebration will feature activities for the entire family including story time, crafts, and talks with a mythical tie-in to the Ox. Don't miss visiting the Zoo's own bison and cows, both of which are related to the Ox. The celebration will include a children's parade around the Zoo grounds.
 

Wedenesdays are wild at the zoo

This month, Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo kicks off "Wild Wednesdays" with special programs and free offers for families every Wednesday through early February. 
 
"Wild Wednesdays" include one free hot beverage for adults and one free carousel ride per child with purchase of a Zoo admission.  In addition, educational programs -- including animal encounters and crafts will be available each Wednesday at 11:00 A.M. in the Research Station.
 
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Zoo will close early on December 24 and December 31.  The ticket booth will close at Noon, and the Zoo will close at 1:00 P.M.
 
Toys for Tots / People Food, Animal Toys, and Food Donations:  Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is proud to work with community groups to support those in need.  Donations for Toys for Tots will be accepted through December 16, 2008.  ONGOING/YEAR ROUND: Donations of non-perishable food will be delivered to local homeless shelters.  And don't forget the animals in need!  Pet toy and food donations will be delivered to local animal rescue groups.
 
                                                 
 
About Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo:  Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo features 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species.  Visitors won't want to miss our Amur (Siberian) tigers, Andean condor, ocelots, red & maned wolves, Andean (spectacled) bears,  and golden lion tamarins.  Other highlights include our South American rainforest with free-flight aviary, the prairie dog exhibit with "pop-up" viewing areas, the New England Farmyard with goats, cows, pigs, sheep and other barnyard critters, plus the hoofstock trail featuring bison, pronghorn, deer and more.  Visitors can grab a bite at the Peacock Café, eat in the Picnic Grove, and enjoy a ride on our colorful carousel. For more information, visit http://www.beardsleyzoo.org

Endangered Baby Ocelot born through artificial insemination at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

Bt CARYN KAUFMAN

Two endangered Brazilian ocelots at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo underwent artificial insemination (AI) procedures at the Zoo in August 2008. As a result of the August procedures, an endangered Brazilian ocelot kitten was born at the Zoo on October 31. This is the first ocelot birth at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo. The kitten and her mother have been in seclusion bonding for the last few weeks. On Monday, December 1, the zoo's vet will have the first opportunity to examine the kitten. Members of the media are invited to observe this first peek at the kitten.

The AI procedures are part of a key initiative supporting the zoo's goal of animal conservation. Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo worked with one of the world's leading experts on cat reproduction for these procedures. William F. Swanson, DVM, Ph.D., director of animal research at the Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW), based at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, performed the successful artificial insemination procedures on the two Brazilian ocelots.

According to Swanson, "The American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) established its first Species Survival Plans (SSP) for small-field cats, including the ocelot, in 2001. Reproductive sciences are playing a key role in helping to address the conservation and management challenges associated with maintaining these small cat SSP species."

Zoo's Teen Conservation Training Program Garners $78,780

 

By Caryn Kaufman Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, the state's only zoo, is pleased to announce that two Connecticut foundations have donated a total of $78,780 over four years. The Charter Oak Challenge Foundation has pledged $10,000 over four (4) years and the Fairfield County Community Foundation has awarded $38,780 to the zoo this year.  The funding from both foundations will support the Zoo's newly launched "Conservation Discovery Corps (CDC)," which offers teens aged 14 - 17 the opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge about animal conservation and environmental careers while enhancing the visitor experience at the Zoo.    "Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is grateful to the Charter Oak Challenge Foundation and the Fairfield County Community Foundation for recognizing the value of this important youth training program," stated Zoo Director Gregg Dancho.  "Their support of our Conservation Discovery Corps will help us to ignite interest in the next generation of scientists and educators."