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"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world: indeed it's the only thing that ever has!"
Margaret Meade
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Hours and Information
Buttonwood Park Zoo is open every day (except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day) from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (gates close at 4:30 pm).
Admission Fees:
Adult: $6
Senior: $4.50
Teen: $4.50
Child 3-12 yrs: $3.00
Child under 3: Free
Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more with advance registration. Call (508) 991-6178 for more information.
Free parking.
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Summer at the Zoo
Keep the kids busy this summer with an educational and fun visit to Buttonwood Park Zoo. There's always something new to see and do, whether it's witnessing a new animal behavior, watching the butterflies in the garden, meeting our four new zoo residents, viewing amazing artwork created by local students, or attending special summer events you won't want to miss!
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 Otter Pups!
We are thrilled to announce the spring birth of three North American River Otter pups. One female and two male river otters were born on March 9th, 2007 and have been on exhibit for public viewing since June 18th, 2007.
River otters are small enough to curl up in an adult hand at birth. Their eyes and ears are closed, leaving them completely reliant on their mother for care and protection in the early stages of development. Eyes remain shut for four weeks and the pups are reluctant to venture far from the nest during the first few months. Eventually they begin exploring and are introduced to solid food while being weaned off of mother's milk. After three months our pups were ready to be introduced to their outdoor exhibit, and were given their first swim lesson by their mother on June 22nd. Mother and pups can now be regularly seen playing in the water or snoozing in a hollow log inside the exhibit.
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 Enrichment Day
Enrichment is done for every animal at the zoo, every day. Enrichment takes many forms, one of which is depicted in this picture. Discover what it is and how it's done in a full schedule of demonstrations, keeper talks, and hands-on activities on Sunday, July 29th from 1:00 to 4:00. Each child under 12 that brings an unopened enrichment item from the list found below will receive free admission to the zoo! Most of these items can be found at your Dartmouth Shaws Supermarket or the new Petco in Dartmouth.
Enrichment items needed:
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Jelly, any flavor |
Walnuts |
Extracts |
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Non-sweetened applesauce |
Unsalted nuts |
Spices |
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Honey |
Yogurt-covered raisins |
Dog treats |
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Maple syrup |
Yogurt-covered cranberries |
100% fruit juice |
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Vanilla syrup |
Catnip |
Jelly beans, sugar-free |
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Strawberry syrup |
Raw hide chews |
Frozen berries |
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Coffee syrup |
Pig ears for canines |
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Dried fruits |
Fruit Loops |
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Raisins |
KIX |
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Many thanks to:
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Get Your Tickets Now!
Rock 'n Roar
Saturday, August 11th
7 - 11 pm
Cost: $100 per ticket
Go wild at the annual zoo gala! Great food and great music to support a great cause - programming at the zoo. Don't miss an open bar, bountiful hors d'oeuvres, live music and dancing, and a live and silent auction. To purchase tickets, please call the Buttonwood Park Zoological Society at (508) 991-4556 x 10.
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Please Note:
Buttonwood Park Zoo will be closed on Saturday, August 11th for Rock n' Roar preparations. We apologize for any inconvenience, and appreciate your understanding as our gala grows and requires more time and space. The zoo will reopen at 10:00 am on Sunday, August 12th.
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 Walk in the Footsteps of Giants
Join our resident Asian Elephants Emily and Ruth in their efforts to support elephant conservation on September 23rd, 2007. As part of Elephant Appreciation Day this year, the New Bedford chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers will be leading "Elephant Tracks 2007" to raise funds for international elephant conservation groups. Look for more information in the coming weeks on how you can team up with our zookeepers and elephants!
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National Zoo Keeper Week
The first National Zoo Keeper Week will be celebrated this year the week of July 15th - 21st. The establishment of a National Zoo Keeper Week by the American Association of Zoo Keepers will hopefully:
« Increase awareness about zoo keeping as a profession and the valuable contribution that zoo keepers make to the care and conservation of captive exotic animals.
« Strengthen the camaraderie of zoo keepers across the nation.
« Increase public awareness and support of the need to protect our natural resources.
« Encourage involvement (public and corporate) in programs, activities, and events which encourage species conservation and public awareness of the important role of zoos in wildlife conservation.
Visit the zoo sometime during this special week and be sure to thank a zoo keeper for all they do!
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 New Woodpecker on Exhibit
If you've visited the Aquatic Environment Center recently you may have noticed that there are not one, but two Pileated Woodpeckers in the Mountain Stream exhibit. Our resident female woodpecker was recently joined by a rehabilitated male with a wing injury. His injury prevents him being re-released into the wild, but he is quickly learning ways to move about his new home in hops and short flights.
The Pileated Woodpecker is a large cavity-nesting bird (approximately the same size as the common crow) that can be found in forests with large trees across Canada, the eastern United States and parts of the Pacific coast. They eat mainly insects, fruits, berries, and nuts, searching for insects by using their beak to excavate huge rectangular holes that are often so broad and deep that small trees are broken in half. This process can be very loud, and sounds much like someone striking a tree with a hammer. The Pileated Woodpecker's call is a wild laugh, the inspiration for the cartoon character Woody Woodpecker.
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| T-shirt Sale
Beat the summer heat and show your love of animals with a t-shirt from the North Woods Gift Store! All adult and child tees are 20% off this month.
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 UMASS Artwork on Display
Artwork inspired by the animals of Buttonwood Park Zoo and created by students from the University of Massachusetts is now being displayed in the hallways of the Wildlife Education Center. Don't miss it!
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 Eco-Tip: Composting
Composting is a biological process during which naturally occurring microorganisms (e.g. bacteria and fungi), insects, snails, and earthworms break down organic materials (such as leaves, grass clippings, garden debris, and certain food wastes) into a soil-like material called compost. Composting is a form of recycling, a natural way of returning nutrients to the soil.
Yard trimmings and food wastes together make up about 24 percent of the waste stream in the United States. Nationwide, leaves and yard trimmings annually amount to about 56.2 million tons of waste. See the numbers here: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/msw99.htm
Composting yard trimmings and food wastes can:
« Keep an average of 700 pounds of such material per household per year from the waste stream
« Reduce local garbage disposal costs
« Conserve valuable landfill space
« Reduce air emissions from the incinerator plants that burn garbage
« Produce a nutrient-rich additive for soil.
Composting helps the environment, is a convenient, beneficial, and inexpensive way to dispose of organic wastes, and supplies you with natural fertilizer for garden and houseplants.
Learn how to create your own compost pile
More information about composting
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In Memoriam
On June 13th, Penelope (our Tamworth sow) was euthanized or put to sleep.
She had a foot condition that had been monitored and treated for several years. When the condition worsened recently, she was having difficulty walking. Our veterinary staff and animal care staff met and discussed the options. As the long term prognosis was not good, for humane reasons, the decision was made to put her to sleep.
Penelope was a long-term resident of Buttonwood Park Zoo and was a favorite of many of our younger guests. She will be missed by our staff and visitors.
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July Zoo Happenings
Every Monday 10:30 & 12:30
Toe Jam Puppet Band Creative Arts Playgroup
Cost: Zoo admission + $5 per family
Join us to sing, dance and play the day away with the Toe Jam Puppet Band!
Saturday, July 14th and Sunday July 15th
Whaling Museum Reciprocal Weekend
The New Bedford Whaling Museum is hosting "Spend the Day at the Whaling Museum" for all current Buttonwood Park Zoo members this weekend! The Museum will be open during regular hours, 9 am to 5 pm, and Zoo members will be admitted for free. Discounted Whaling Museum memberships will be available for purchase for anyone who might want to join during this special weekend. Please call (508) 717-6815 or visit www.whalingmuseum.org for more information.
Saturday, July 21 8:00 am
Breakfast with the Animals
Zoo members: $13/person, children under 3 free
Non-members: $16/person, children under 3 free
Rise and shine with the animals! Join the zoo staff as they prepare exhibits for the day
and feed the animals. Then enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet at the Bear's Den Café.
Program fee includes tour, breakfast and zoo admission for the day. Participants must
pre-register and pay in advance. Program held rain or shine. To register, please call the North Woods Gift Store at (508) 991-4556 x 14.
Sunday, July 29 1:00-4:00
Enrichment Day
Free with zoo admission
Enrichment is done for every animal, every day. Discover what it is and how it's done in a full schedule of demonstrations, keeper talks, and hands-on activities. Bring an unopened enrichment item from the list found on our website for free admission to the zoo!
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Contact Info
Buttonwood Park Zoological Society
(508) 991-4556
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