Spring into the Zoo this Season!

3/12/2009

BRIDGEPORT, Conn.—March 12, 2009—Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, the state's only Zoo, is pleased to release its updated calendar for April and May 2009, which includes exciting spring vacation programming for children of all ages. The Zoo has fun events for the entire family all year round, 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 also are admitted free. Parking at the Zoo is free of charge.

Editor's Note: Please see listings for events just added, and updated information for events previously publicized.


April 2009

JUST ADDED!
April 1 - 18: "Miracle Kitten" naming contest
It's been five months since he was born and Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo now needs your help to decide what to name the ocelot "Miracle Kitten" born through a groundbreaking artificial insemination (AI) procedure on Halloween of 2008. Visitors will get to choose between three names selected by Zoo staff and will vote using an official ballot after paying a visit to the kitten to determine which name fits him best. The choices include: Mopua', Milagre and Bruxo. Ballots will be available at the front gate now through April 18, Day One of the Zoo's Earth Day celebration, "Party for the Planet." The kitten's new name will be announced on Day Two of "Party for the Planet," April 19.

JUST ADDED!
April 1 - 14: "Elmo Grows Up" Scavenger Hunt
Help find Elmo at the Zoo! In partnership with Bridgeport's Arena at Harbor Yard, the Zoo is asking visitors to join in a special scavenger hunt to find Elmo hiding on Zoo grounds. Participants will be registered to win tickets to "Elmo Grows Up" at the Arena, onstage from April 16-19. Scavenger Hunt worksheets will be available at the Front Gate for all visitors to participate.

April 4: Pet Awareness and Adoption Day
Join the Zoo and PETCO for our annual Animal Adoption Day. Together with several animal adoption and rescue organizations, we'll look to the wonderful animals we live with every day, our pets. We'll have presentations on pet care and safety, crafts for the kids and other surprises. Watch dogs training to be either search and rescue dogs or cadaver dogs participate in "hide and seek." Take part in demonstrations and learn about caring for your family's best friend.

April 13-17: April Adventures, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Children ages 6-11 will take part in animal encounters and special craft activities each day. This program features Zookeeper talks, behind-the-scenes tours, animal encounters, crafts, games, and other activities. Come for the entire week or just for a day. The cost of the program is $35 per day or $150 for the week (for Zoo members, cost is $30 per day or $125 per week). Call 203-394- 6563 to register.

April 13-17: Backyard Beasts, 1:00 pm
This program for kindergarten and elementary age children and their families will feature a different animal each day. These interactive 45-minute programs may include a live animal, animal stories and animal facts as we answer questions in Professor Beardsley's Research Station. All activities are free with the purchase of Zoo admission.

April 14: Zoo Tots, 10:30 am and 1:00 pm
This monthly 45-minute program for children 18 months to three years, who are accompanied by an adult, may include stories, activities, crafts, and live animals. This session, entitled "The Nose Knows," will focus on animals' sense of smell. Pre-registration is required by calling 203-394-6563. The cost is $10 for Zoo members and one child, and $15 for non-members and one child.

JUST ADDED!
April 15: Meet and Greet with "The Little Mermaid A Go-Go," 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Stars from the Downtown Cabaret Theater's "Little Mermaid A Go-Go" will be on hand to sing, dance and meet Zoo visitors.

April 15: Evening Lecture Series: "Solar Energy" 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Diana Bercury of Sunlight Solar Energy, Inc., will share her knowledge about implementing solar energy for home or business. Learn what kinds of incentives and programs are presently available to Connecticut residents and much more. 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.

UPDATED INFO!
April 18-19: Party for the Planet, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Join Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo to celebrate the 39th annual Earth Day! Our Earth Day event is about encouraging local, organic, earth-friendly choices as a way of promoting better health for our planet and ourselves. Environmentally friendly vendors will be on hand with everything from green cleaning products to recycled fashion accessories to better lawn care for you and wildlife! Saturday at 1:00 pm enjoy Tom Hanford's Musical Menagerie and Sunday at 1:00 pm join the "Environmental Hootenanny" with musical performers Tom Callinan and Ann Shapiro. Get in your last minute votes to help name our ocelot kitten and be on hand for the big announcement on the 19th! Learn what you can do to make the planet a healthier place for you and your family.

April 28: Tiny Adventurers, 10:30 am and 1:00 pm
Children ages 3-5 (and one caregiver) will learn about an animal or area of the Zoo by visiting a Zookeeper and having a special talk. We will also create a craft and meet one of our education animals up close. April's topic is "Oh those Otters." Participants must call the Education Department at 203-394-6563 for reservations. The fee is $10 for members (one adult and one child) and $15 for non-members (one adult and one child).

May 2009

UPDATED INFO!
May 10: Mother's Day
Mom's always taking care of you... today it's mom's turn! All moms get in free when accompanied by a paying guest.

May 12: Zoo Tots, 10:30 am and 1:00 pm
This program for children ages 18 months to three years (who are accompanied by an adult) may include stories, games, crafts, and a live animal presentation. This session, entitled "Hop To It," will focus on animals that hop, jump and even bounce. The cost is $10 for Zoo members and one child, and $15 for non-members and one child. To reserve a space in the program, pre-register by calling the Zoo's Education Department at 203-394-6563.

May 2: Spring Fling, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Visit the Zoo for a day filled with fun, hands-on programming for the entire family in the Barnyard. Make sure you get there in time to see the sheep get their once a year sheering! There will also be crafts, animal encounters including bees, and a blacksmithing demonstration.

UPDATED INFO!
May 15: Endangered Species Day, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
May 15th is nationally recognized as Endangered Species Day. Come learn about how Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo helps save some of the most endangered species on the planet. You can participate in a zoo-wide scavenger hunt and find some of these animals that need your help the most.

May 20: Evening Lecture Series: "Black Bears" 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Master Wildlife Conservationist, Zoo Docent and bear enthusiast Felicia Ortner will present a program on black bears. Felicia will dispel some of the myths associated with bears, provide natural history information, and talk about some of the results of the black bear research conducted by wildlife biologists in Connecticut. 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.

May 23: Farming Fever, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
The Zoo partners with the Fairfield County Farm Bureau to present an afternoon of learning about farm animals and farming with former Connecticut resident Chris Rowlands, an entertainer whose audience participation program will get everyone involved. Children are invited to wear fun hats and sing along with Rowlands on stage as he shares his self- penned songs such as "Cud Chewing," a tribute to cows.

May 23-25: Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo's Country Fair, 11:00am and 2:00pm
At our Country Fair, you will see amazing animals, learn about New England farming, and have fun along the way. Not all of us grew up on farms, but we all rely on the farmer to feed us and our families everyday. The farmers, the animals and the farm itself are all members of a community and all have a special job to do. Often times in order to do a good job, the farmer needs to make good healthy choices not just for himself but for all in the community. The Country Fair brings all members of a community together. It is at the Zoo's Country Fair that we also learn to make the good, healthy choices for ourselves and the greater community. America is built upon agriculture/farming and we invite everyone to join us in celebrating our rich farming heritage and the country fairs that highlight that heritage. Presented at the Zoo's Learning Circle.

May 26: Tiny Adventurers, 10:30 am and 1:00 pm
Children ages 3-5 (and one caregiver) will learn about an animal or area of the Zoo by visiting a Zookeeper and having a special talk. We also will create a craft and meet one of our education animals up close. May's topic is "Zoo Babies." Participants must call the Education Department at 203-394-6563 for reservations. The fee is $10 for members (one adult and one child) and $15 for non-members (one adult and one child).

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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