Connecticut Beardsley Zoo: Bridgeport, Zoo Animals

When there is only one of something in a city, it better make an impression. Those visiting the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut need not worry. The Connecticut zoo, Beardsley Zoo, located on Noble Avenue is the only one of its kind. It has been a tourist attraction in the city for over 80 years.

It not only boasts a multitude of animals, but one of Connecticut's largest greenhouses and a carousel that is sure to entertain the kids.

At the beginning of the 1920s, the Bridgeport Parks Commissioner Wesley Hayes wanted to start a zoo in Beardsley Park. With animals donated from Bridgeport residents as well as the Barnum and Bailey Circus act, the Beardsley Zoo opened and continued to grow. The Beardsley Zoo shows off a host of animals, including red foxes, llamas, prairie dogs, pronghorns and lynxes.

There is more to the Beardsley Zoo than the zoo animals. The zoo's greenhouse is at least partially open to the public, with an array of banana trees, orchids and other species of plants. The greenhouse is also the main plant supplier for the flora at the famed Connecticut zoo. The zoo's greenhouse furnishes the gardens and planting beds with various plants. These plants are periodically rotated so the zoo animals always have something new in their environment. The animals like to chew and tear on the plants in their space, so the workers in the greenhouse regularly have to replace the old, torn plants with new ones.

One particular wing of the Connecticut zoo's greenhouse – restored in 2003 after years of non-use – can be rented out for parties to use for events such as bridal showers or birthday parties. Events such as these can be made even more special by the tropical surroundings of Beardsley Zoo's greenhouse.

The Beardsley Zoo also has special events periodically scheduled to present their knowledge of animal life in new and interesting ways. The monthly Zoo Crew event allows teens ages 11 to 15 to become educated on topics such as animal nutrition, health and training. The three hour sessions cost $30 for zoo members, $35 for non-members. Beardsley zoo also has events that have little to do with animals, but aim to entertain just the same. Wild Wine Safari, an adults-only event in September 2007, gives the older zoo patrons a chance to taste various wines – the event coordinators even allow tasters to dress up in safari gear for fun.

Excluding holidays, people can visit the zoo animals in the Beardsley Zoo every day of the week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Whether a visitor loves animals or just comes for the experience of walking through this famous zoo, the Beardsley zoo will not leave them disappointed.


Sources:
"Welcome To Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo." BeardsleyZoo.org. 2005-2007. Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo. 20 Aug 2007. http://www.beardsleyzoo.org/.

"Zoo Map." BeardsleyZoo.org. 2005-2007. Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo. 20 Aug 2007. http://www.beardsleyzoo.org/visitor-info/zoo_map.a sp.

"Beardsley Zoo." Wikipedia.org. 16 July 2007. Wikipedia. 20 Aug 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beardsley_Zoo.

"Greenhouse." BeardsleyZoo.org. 2005-2007. Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo. 20 Aug 2007. http://www.beardsleyzoo.org/visitor-info/greenhous e.asp.

"Events." BeardsleyZoo.org. 2005-2007. Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo. 20 Aug 2007. http://www.beardsleyzoo.org/visitor-info/events.as p.