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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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Buttonwood Park Zoo is welcoming 2008 with high hopes for the new year. 2007 saw record zoo attendance, the births of three River Otter pups and two rare Randall Lineback Cattle calves, a growing zoo staff with many new program offerings and so much more. We look forward to more exciting growth in 2008 and hope you are with us every step of the way! |
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Creature Feature: Dr. William Langbauer
Dr. William Langbauer (left) during an elephant research trip in Africa
Typically, our monthly Creature Features highlight the fascinating animals in the zoo's collection. However, this month we are excited to introduce Dr. William Langbauer as the new Director of the Buttonwood Park Zoo. Lou Garibaldi, the zoo's director for the past two years, retired on December 1st, 2007.
 Dr. Langbauer comes to New Bedford with more than 20 years of experience in zoology, conservation, research and creating innovative education programming. He earned a Ph. D. in biology from the Boston University Marine Program at Woods Hole and went on to Cornell University, where, together with Katy Payne and Liz Thomas, he discovered that elephants communicate with sounds too low in pitch for humans to hear (infrasound). For the past 14 years he has been the Director of Science and Conservation at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. This award-winning, multi-faceted, locally and internationally active conservation and research program was founded by Dr. Langbauer and was described by the 2007 AZA accreditation team as "exemplary...a model for other zoos". In part for his work at the Pittsburgh Zoo he was selected as one of 25 Change Makers by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2002.
 In his personal time Dr. Langbauer enjoys scuba diving, fine woodworking, teaching Sejong Tae Kwon Do, and coaching youth sporting teams.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Langbauer to our zoo and to the great city of New Bedford! |
Animal Tracking Program
 Join Head Zookeeper Bill Sampson at Copicut Woods Bioreserve on Saturday, January 19 from 9:00am to 11:00am to learn the art of tracking animals in winter. While a few animals head south or hibernate away the winter months, most stay in New England and remain active all year. Rabbit, deer, fox, coyote, turkey, and fisher are just some of the animals whose tracks may be seen.
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New Bedford or Dartmouth Resident? Recycle MORE!
 Not only can you recycle #1 and #2 plastic containers in New Bedford and Dartmouth, but plastics #3 through #7 are now being accepted. Glass bottles and jars, metal cans, magazines, office paper, junk mail, newspapers, phone books, and 2x3 flattened cardboard are also still accepted. Just toss it all in your blue bin and place at the curb next to your trash barrel by 7 AM on your trash collection day.
Still need a recycling bin? Call 508-979-1493 to request a free blue bin.
The many benefits of recycling
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What to do With Those Trees?
 Now that the holidays are over, you might be looking at that beautifully decorated tree and wondering, what now? Approximately 30-35 million real Christmas trees are sold in North America every year, over one million in Massachusetts alone. North American grown real Christmas trees are a renewable, recyclable resource and according to a national survey by the National Christmas Tree Association, 93% of real Christmas trees are recycled in some way. Here are some ideas for your tree:
- Place the tree in the yard or garden for use by birds and other wildlife. The branches provide shelter from strong winds and cold. Food can be supplied by hanging fruit slices, seed cakes, or suet bags on its branches. You can also help a child make a pine cone bird feeder.
- Prune off the branches and place the boughs over perennials as a winter mulch.
- Chip the tree and use as mulch around trees, shrubs, or in flower beds.
- If you can't use the tree yourself, most communities have some type of Christmas tree disposal program. Some have central collection points, others collect the trees at curbside. Find information for your area.
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Woo at the Zoo--Coming in February
Register now!
 Some dance, some sing and some compete to win affection. Sound familiar? The courtship rituals of the animal kingdom are surprisingly similar to ours. For a new and unique Valentine's Day experience, romance your sweetheart with an enchanting evening at Woo at the Zoo. Begin with a rose, gourmet hors d'oeuvres and cocktails while you learn about courtship in the animal kingdom. Then, bundle up for a guided tour of selected animal exhibits. For adults only.
Thursday, February 14th
5:30 - 7:30 and 7:00 - 9:00
Members: $85/couple
Non-members: $95/couple
Couples must register and pay in advance by calling (508) 991-4556 x 18. Spaces are limited. |
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The WILDEST Birthday Party in Town!
 Looking for a great place to hold your child's next birthday party? Forget about the set-up, preparing the food, buying the cake, cleaning the house and instead, simply enjoy your child's birthday in a party at the zoo. Book now for winter, spring, and plan ahead for choice summer availability. Call the Bear's Den Café at (508) 991-4556 x 16 or visit the website for more details.
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Flashlight Adventures
 Experience the zoo in a new light! Flashlight Adventures are now booking groups of 20 or more for 2008 Critter Camp-Ins and Twilight Tours. Visit our website for details.
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Fancy Yourself a Photographer?
2008 Buttonwood Park Zoo Calendar cover
The New Bedford Chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers and Buttonwood Park Zoo are sponsoring a photo contest of animals at Buttonwood Park Zoo. The twelve winning photos will be used in creating a calendar to be sold to raise fund to support the care and enrichment of zoo animals. Last year's winning photos can be seen in the 2008 Buttonwood Park Zoo Calendar now available. Photos that fit the following themes are needed: Diversity (all species including our amphibians, reptiles, and birds), Seasonal (snow, foliage, etc.), Holiday (Halloween, Valentine's Day (couple, pairs), etc.), and Sunset.
DEADLINE: The deadline for entries is August 1, 2008.
New Bedford AAZK
Download the submission information |
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Webkinz Pet of the Month
 Meet the January Webkinz Pet of the Month, the Lil' Kinz Golden Retriever, at The North Woods Gift Store. Adopt the Lil' Kinz Golden Retriever anytime during the month of January and get some super surprises at www.webkinz.com!!
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Return of the Toe Jam Puppet Band
 After a December break due to Holiday Lights, the Toe Jam Puppet Band returned to regularly scheduled Monday performances at 10:30 and 12:30 on January 7th. Don't miss next week's show!
Toe Jam Puppet Band performances are $5/family + zoo admission.
Toe Jam at the Zoo
Toe Jam Puppet Band Official Site |
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Eco-Tip: Helping Wildlife in Winter
 New England winters can be tough, and not just on us. Wildlife work twice as hard in the colder months to find food, water and shelter. Here's how you can help make their winters a little easier:
Provide food by growing
More about providing food
Clean and fill your birdbath regularly. Be sure to break ice once or twice a day or invest in a birdbath heater so that fresh water is always available. It may seem like quite a commitment, but water is one of the most important and beneficial elements you can provide for wildlife, particularly in winter. Many reliable water sources dry up or freeze and animals expend valuable caloric energy in search of a drink.
More about providing water sources for wildlife.
Build a brush pile. After the trees and shrubs are bare, wild animals face a critical need for shelter and cover from predators. When you clear your yard of stray branches, twigs, and leaves or throw out that holiday wreath and tree, pick an out-of-the-way spot on your property away from buildings to create a brush pile. In just a few minutes you will have created a safe haven for ground-nesting birds, reptiles and amphibians, insects and small mammals such as chipmunks and rabbits. Have a pile of firewood? Stack logs crisscross to create internal spaces that will shelter wildlife.
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January and Early February Zoo Happenings
They're Back! Every Monday at 10:30 and 12:30
Toe Jam Puppet Band
Creative Arts Playgroup
Cost: Zoo admission + $5.00/family
Sing, dance and play the hour away with New Bedford's favorite, the Toe Jam Puppet Band!
January 8 - February 26, 2008
Junior Duck Stamp Art Exhibit
Visit the education center to view the display of student art from the 2007 Junior Duck Stamp Contest. Find out how your K- 12 student can enter the contest for 2008. The exhibit is free with zoo admission.
Saturday, January 19 9:00 - 11:00
Animal Tracking Program
Cost: Free, but pre-registration is required
Location: Copicut Woods - Bioreserve
Join Bill Sampson, head zookeeper at the Buttonwood Park Zoo, to learn the art of tracking animals in winter. While a few animals head south or hibernate away the winter months, most stay in New England and remain active all year. Rabbit, deer, fox, coyote, turkey, and fisher are just some of the animals whose tracks may be seen. Pre-register at bioreserve@ttor.org or 508-679-2115.
Saturday, February 2 1:00 - 4:00
Groundhog Day
Cost: Free with zoo admission
We all know that we're in for 6 more weeks of winter if the groundhog sees his shadow. Join us at the zoo for some fun family activities.
Sunday, February 3 1:00 - 4:00
Zooper Bowl Sunday
Cost: Free with zoo admission
Get in the mood for the big game by celebrating all things football at the zoo. We've got eagles, bears, and cows-oh boy! Enjoy past year's Super Bowl commercials that feature animals, traditional tailgate food available in the Bear's Den Café and a "half-time" performance by the Toe Jam Puppet Band. Don't worry, you'll be home in plenty of time to watch the game.
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Contact Info
Buttonwood Park Zoological Society
(508) 991-4556
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