Spring is a wonderful time to visit the Zoo, as many of the animals are more active in cool weather, so make plans to get outside with the family for fresh air! The Zoo plans fun and educational special events and seasonal programs for the entire family, most of which are free with the cost of admission.
April 2023
April 1, Tickets on Sale for Wild Wine, Beer, and Food Safari!
Wild Wine, Beer, and Food Safari is a great night out for couples and individuals over 18! Enjoy a fabulous night of great fare from local vendors and tastings of 100 different wines and more than 60 different beers from around the world and close to home. This beautiful summer evening at the Zoo sells out quickly so don’t wait to get your tickets. https://www.beardsleyzoo.org
April 2, World Autism Awareness Day Light It Up Blue!
If you have family members with sensory issues, the Zoo offers a quiet space, sensory backpacks, and an understanding of people of all abilities.
April 5, Facebook and Instagram Live, Farmyard Animals, 1 p.m.
A discussion about all the Farmyard animals that charm children and adults year-round.
April 8, National Zoo Lovers Day
This would be a perfect day to visit a zoo and be one of the millions of people who visit them each year. Enjoy seeing your favorite animals and have a fun-filled day. A few zoo facts: Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo opened in 1922 and is 101 years old. The Zoo is home to more than 350 animals, primarily North and South American and northern Asian species. Many endangered species make their home at the Zoo, including an Amur tiger and Amur leopards, Mexican and red wolves, red pandas, and many more.
April 9, Easter Sunday
The Zoo is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.! Go and celebrate with the children.
April 19, Party for the Planet Facebook and Instagram Live, 1:00 p.m.
Find out what you can do to help the Zoo celebrate Earth Day.
April 20, Zoo Tots: Rainforest Adventure! 10:30-11:00 a.m.
This monthly 30-minute program, for children 22 months to four years who are accompanied by an adult, may include stories, games, crafts, and live animals. This session is “Rainforest Adventure!” Spend your rainy April showers inside our Rainforest and discover all the animals that call this place home. $25 for one tot and up to two guardians; add another tot for $10. To reserve a space in the program, register here: https://www.beardsleyzoo.org/zoo-tots.html
April 22, Earth Day, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
The Zoo is celebrating Earth Day by sharing information on the important part that each of us can play in protecting our fragile natural environment. Six tables at the Zoo will offer information on: How you can help the planet; How accredited zoos save species with our Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) programs; Citizen Science initiatives—FrogWatch and Monarch Watch; the New England Cottontail Conservation Program; Cool Blue Bridgeport with a focus on Climate Change, and teen volunteers share their plans to visit Yellowstone National Park.
April 22-23 Party for the Planet; Pequonnock River Clean Up 1, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
The Zoo's annual Earth Day program. There will be two separate Pequonnock River Cleanups in Bridgeport.
Up to 50 individuals each day can sign up to help the Zoo clean up Beardsley Park. The clean-up will be held from 9:30 am-12:00 pm. The Zoo supplies gloves, trash bags, paper pickers and companionship: you bring your energy and desire to help clean up the earth! Families are welcome. Sign up through the website at https://www.beardsleyzoo.org
In 2022, 800 pounds of garbage that filled 25 garbage bags was cleaned up!
April 28-May 1, City Nature Challenge with the Maritime Aquarium
Invented by community science staff at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and California Academy of Sciences, the City Nature Challenge is an international effort for people to find and document plants and wildlife in cities across the globe. It’s a bio blitz-style competition where cities are in a contest against each other to see who can make the most observations of nature, who can find the most species, and who can engage the most people. Download the iNaturalist app on your phone, take a photo of an item in nature and upload it. Instructions and registration here: https://www.maritimeaquarium.org/city-nature-challenge
April 29-30, Party for the Planet; Pequonnock River Clean Up 2, 9:30 a.m. -12 p.m.
The Zoo's annual Earth Day program. There will be two separate Pequonnock River Cleanups in Bridgeport.Up to 50 individuals each day can sign up to help the Zoo clean up Beardsley Park. The clean-up will be held from 9:30 am-12:00 pm. The Zoo supplies gloves, trash bags, paper pickers and companionship: you bring your energy and desire to help clean up the earth! Families are welcome. Sign up through the website at https://www.beardsleyzoo.org
In 2022, 800 pounds of garbage that filled 25 garbage bags was cleaned up!
April 26, Evening Lecture Series: Animal Observation, Fairfield University, 7 p.m.
Fairfield University’s U RIZE program students in conjunction with Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo are studying zoo animal behavior. Students studied leopard calls, behavior in red wolves, breeding behavior in white-naped cranes, and aggression in trout, among other topics. The lecture will take place at Fairfield University.
May 2023
May 6, Photography Walkabout with Jack Bradley, 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Zoo Volunteer Jack Bradley will lead a group of 12 intermediate photographers in a hands-on morning session at the Zoo. You must have a basic working knowledge of cameras to join the group. Join Jack for tips on photographing animals from birds to bison, and tigers to trout. Class size is limited; sign up is required. $25 fee, payable in advance, plus $19 Zoo admission. Members pay only the $25 fee. Sign up through the website at https://www.beardsleyzoo.org
May 7, Mother’s Day
Connecticut’s only Zoo wants to thank all mothers and grandmothers. Enjoy this special day by visiting animals and then having lunch together in the Peacock Pavilion.
May 10, Be Bear Aware Panel, 7:00-8:30 pm., Carousel Building
The Zoo has assembled a cadre of bear experts to answer all your questions on living safely with black bears, and more! This very informative evening will address concerns about wild bears, share information on what bears are really like, what they need, and discuss how we can help to promote bear conservation and habitat protection. Plus, learn about the new Andean bear habitat opening in just 10 days!
May 17, Evening Lecture Series: The Bear Reality, Felicia Ortner, CT Master Wildlife Conservationist, 7 p.m.
Bears have become victims of misunderstandings, fueled by media, literature, and word of mouth. The population of black bears has increased in Connecticut over the last four decades and will continue to grow. This program will share information on the American black bear, the state’s only resident species in the wild, to improve our understanding and tolerance and reduce conflicts with our wild bear neighbors. The lecture will be presented via Zoom and in person. The cost is $10 for each lecture, with light refreshments provided. Sponsored by the Zoo’s Volunteer Council. Volunteers are free. To purchase tickets: https://www.beardsleyzoo.org/evening-lectures.html
May 19, Endangered Species Day, Facebook & Instagram Live, 1 p.m.
Endangered Species Day is an opportunity for people of all ages to learn about the importance of protecting endangered species and everyday actions they can take to help protect them. This year, the Zoo is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act. A table with information on Endangered Species will be set up at the Zoo from 1 to 3 p.m.
May 20, Grand Opening Andean Bear Habitat, 11:00 a.m.
Celebrate the Grand Opening of the newest habitat for Andean bears! There will be cake and beverages along with special presentations on these beautiful and endangered South American bears, returning to the Zoo after an absence of several years. This large and beautiful habitat for the arboreal (tree-climbing) bears features a very special guest viewing area. Zoo Educators will be on hand from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with exciting information about these “spectacled” bears. The first 100 guests to arrive will receive an Andean bear water bottle!
May 24, Zoo Tots: Wolf Wednesday! 10:30-11:00 a.m.
This monthly 30-minute program, for children 22 months to four years who are accompanied by an adult, may include stories, games, crafts, and live animals. This session is “Wolf Wednesday!” Have a howling good time in our Wolf Observation Learning Facility (W.O.L.F. Cabin) and join the pack for stories, crafts, and learning all about wolves here at the Zoo. $25 for one tot and up to two guardians; add another tot for $10. To reserve a space in the program, register here: https://www.beardsleyzoo.org/zoo-tots.html
May 31, World Otter Day, Facebook and Instagram Live, 1 p.m.
World Otter Day brings all otter species to our attention. It focuses on raising awareness about how important otters are and also highlights the threats they face. Threats faced by otters include the huge trade in these animals for pets and fur.
May 27-28-29, Family Favorite Chris Rowlands LIVE; 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm; May 27: Farmin’ Fever sponsored by The Farm Bureau
Chris is famous for getting everyone involved through singing and dancing—even bringing kids up on stage with him! Rowlands brings animals to life through kid-friendly songs, dance, puppets, and colorful props. Children are invited to wear fun hats and sing along on stage as he shares his self-penned songs about animals and their environment. Free with paid admission to the Zoo. Shown at 11 am, 1 and 3 pm. daily. Each performance is 30-35 minutes long.
May 29, Memorial Day
All active service members and veterans get in free, and their families get 20% off the price of tickets.
June 2023
June 1, Photography Goes Wild Photo Contest Begins
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is proud to announce its fifth annual photography contest is open for submissions, an opportunity for the Zoo’s many dedicated amateur and professional photographers to submit their best work for public viewing. The contest is sponsored by Milford Photo. Judging will take place mid-July, with an in-person show held on Thursday, July 27 in the Zoo’s Hanson Building.
June 3, Wild Wine, Beer, and Food Safari, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Wild Wine, Beer, and Food Safari is a great night out for couples and individuals over 18! Join us for a fabulous night of great fare from local vendors and tastings of 100 different wines and more than 60 different beers from around the world and close to home. This beautiful summer evening at the Zoo sells out quickly so don’t wait to get your tickets. Tickets go on sale April 1, 2023.
June 10, Milford Photo Day at the Zoo, 10 am. to 2 p.m.
Join the photography professionals from Milford Photo at the Zoo as they demonstrate new cameras, lenses, and techniques for the best animal photos.
June 14, Zoo Tots: Farmyard Fun! 10:30-11:00 a.m.
This monthly 30-minute program, for children 22 months to four years who are accompanied by an adult, may include stories, games, crafts, and live animals. This session is “Farmyard Fun!” Cultivate a sense of wonder in our fabulous farmyard! Tots will explore domestic breeds, enjoy stories on the family farm, and enjoy a craft near our big red barn in the Adventure Amphitheater. $25 for one tot and up to two guardians; add another tot for $10. To reserve a space in the program, register here: https://www.beardsleyzoo.org/zoo-tots.html
June 18, Father’s Day
Spend the day at the Zoo with your family!
June 21, Evening Lecture Series: Horseshoe Crab Monitoring, Jo-Marie Kasinak, M.S., 7 p.m.
Sacred Heart University Biology Professor Jo-Marie Kasinak will present Project Limulus: a community-based research study examining the ecology of the Long Island Sound horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) population. “Horseshoe crabs are a foundational species for their ecosystem. They are invaluable to human health, because their blood is used to make Limulus amebocyte lysate, which tests vaccines and other medical devices to ensure they are not contaminated with bacteria. Anyone who has received a flu shot or a COVID-19 vaccine can thank horseshoe crabs,” says Kasinak. The lecture will be presented via Zoom and in person. The cost is $10 for each lecture, with light refreshments provided. Sponsored by the Zoo’s Volunteer Council. Volunteers are free. To purchase tickets: https://www.beardsleyzoo.org/evening-lectures.html
June 22, World Rainforest Day, Facebook & Instagram Live, 1 p.m.
World Rainforest Day celebrates the importance of healthy, standing rainforests for climate, biodiversity, culture, and livelihoods, and convenes a global movement to protect and restore them.
About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo
Let Your Curiosity Run Wild! Connecticut’s only zoo, celebrating its 101st year, features 350 animals representing primarily North and South American and Northern Asian species. Guests won’t want to miss our Amur tiger and leopards, maned wolves, Mexican gray wolves, and red wolves. Other highlights include our Spider Monkey Habitat, the prairie dog exhibit, and the Pampas Plain with giant anteaters and Chacoan peccaries. Guests can grab a bite from the Peacock Café and eat in the Picnic Grove. As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and participant in its Species Survival Plan (SSP) programs, the non-profit Zoo is committed to the preservation of endangered animals and wild habitats.
Location & Hours
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is closer than you think located at 1875 Noble Avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut. Parking is free and the Zoo is open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Peacock Café is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m but the grill closes 30 minutes before closing. The Carousel is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the final ride at 3:45 p.m.
Admission:
Adult admission (ages 12 & older) is $19.00;
Children (ages 3 -11) is $15.00,
Senior Admission (62 and older) is $15.00 and
Children under 3 years old are free.
Zoo members also are admitted free.
Tickets must be purchased on the Zoo’s website at www.beardsleyzoo.org
