BPZOO Participates in National Waterfowl Conservation Efforts 3 Trumpeter Swans started the next leg of their journey towards re-introduction to the wild    New Bedford, Massachusetts: Any regular visitor to the Buttonwood Park Zoo knows that no trip is complete until they have the opportunity to feed the ducks. Twenty-five cents per handful, these dispensers, perched along the long wooden bridge just inside the Zoo, are playing a major role in waterfowl conservation across North America. Most recently, BPZOO participated in a comprehensive reintroduction program between Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoos, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and The Trumpeter Swan Society, by caring for a trio of young swans from 2021 until early spring 2023. Now fully grown, they were ready to begin the next leg of their journey towards reintroduction – a “soft release” in a protected area in Idaho. During this phase of the program, they will join with other zoo swans to become less habituated to humans and more acclimated to the wild environment. In 2024, the entire flock, or bevy, will be tagged and released in south central Oregon. Once hunted almost to extinction – by the late 1800’s Oregon had lost all its trumpeter swans – a shift towards conservation and the dedication from so many agencies and facilities has made trumpeter swans a success story in several states where they once flourished long ago. “BPZOO is proud to have played a role in the saving of this species,” said BPZOO Director Gary Lunsford. “Our participation in this conservation success story was made possible by the generosity of the many, many families over the years who have supported wildlife conservation through their visit to BPZOO.” In addition to providing funding to waterfowl conservation efforts, BPZOO participates in the AZA’s Species Survival Plan (SSP) for Trumpeter Swans. The goal of the SSP is to cooperatively manage animal populations within AZA accredited zoos to ensure the sustainability of a healthy and genetically diverse population while enhancing the conservation of this species in the wild. The three trumpeter swans who briefly called BPZOO home, will hopefully contribute to a growing bevy in the wild. Photos courtesy Zoo Idaho

BEAR’S DEN CAFE IS OPEN Got a hankering for a warm, soft pretzel, a bag of hot, buttered popcorn, or maybe a delicious ice cream treat? BPZOO’s Bear’s Den Café has got you covered!   With the gorgeous woodland mural and life-sized stuffed bear, the Bear’s Den Café, operated by the Buttonwood Park Zoological Society, features ready-made sandwiches and salads from On the Go Catering, as well as a variety of snacks to take along on your zoo adventures. The Bear’s Den Café is open from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm daily, with indoor seating available. Snacks and drinks can also be purchased in the Northwood’s Gift Store as well as from the two vending machines located outside the Wildlife Education Center.

DreamNight at the Zoo You are cordially invited to join us for an unforgettable evening of superhero fun at the Buttonwood Park Zoo’s DreamNight event on Friday, June 2 from 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm. In Partnership with This year’s theme is “Superheroes Unite!” and we are excited to host an evening of entertainment, education, and excitement for families of children with disabilities and chronic healthcare needs. You’ll get to see your favorite superheroes come to life and participate in a range of fun activities including face painting, interactive exhibits, and live animal encounters. DreamNight is a special event designed for families of children with special needs to enjoy the zoo in a supportive and inclusive environment. We believe that every child deserves a chance to experience the joy and wonder of the animal kingdom, and we are honored to provide a night of fun and magic. Register Here by Thursday, May 25th Thank you to our sponsors! A Gift That Lasts All Year!  BPZOO Memberships make a perfect gift for the animal lover in your life. Join Our...

Funded by: Saturday, April 22nd, 2023 10:30 am – 2:30 pm Free with Zoo Admission! It’s a party for the planet, come celebrate with us! Party for the Planet is the largest combined Earth Day celebration in North America! More than 100 AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums across the country celebrate with activities, giveaways, and special events. Join us at the Buttonwood Park Zoo on Saturday, April 22nd from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm, when we will offer our visitors the opportunity to explore, learn, and play with us during this free-with-admission event. Over 20 local organizations and businesses are coming together to celebrate green, sustainable living, and teach us how to make choices that will ensure the health of our planet for generations to come. Don’t forget to bring in any unwanted electronics (see details below).   The Zoo will have live music, a raffle, fun games, face painting, an ambulance on site, Earth Day-inspired enrichment demonstrations with our animals, and so much more! Spring into Action by tracking the monarch butterfly migration north from their overwintering grounds in Mexico to coastal California through the United States and Canada. To capture how monarchs recolonize the breeding areas, report the first sightings of adults, milkweeds, and eggs and larvae to Journey North. Already seen your “first” spring observations? No problem! Please report all observations after these “firsts” to Journey North as well. Tag AZA during registration by adding AZA Party for the Planet in the comment section of your report. Create Pollinator Spaces in your backyard! AZA is partnering with The National Wildlife Federation to expand native habitats across AZA-accredited facilities and their members. NWF’s Certified Wildlife Habitat® program helps to create and restore habitat and wildlife populations. Turning your yard, balcony container garden, work landscape, or roadside greenspace into a Certified Wildlife Habitat® is fun, easy, and can make a lasting difference for wildlife. Spring into Action with AZA and NWF in creating native habitats near you! Electronic Waste Drop-off Members of the community can also bring in any unwanted electronic items to drop off with the amazing team from UMass Dartmouth during Party for the Planet hours, regardless of whether or not they choose to then enter the Zoo. All E-Waste donations will receive one free child admission per party/family into Party for the Planet! Items that can be dropped off include: Batteries (alkaline, car, boat [lead-acid], and rechargeable) Printers Computer or TV monitors ($20 fee for a tube [non-flat] variety) Desktop computers Laptop computers Phones Tablets Scanners Fax machines Cellphones, Blackberries, Palm Pilots Stereo equipment (receivers, turntables, amplifiers, speakers) Household appliances (toasters, toaster ovens, microwaves, blenders, clock radios, mixers, George Forman Grilles, etc) Other consumer...

If you LOVE craft brews and the great outdoors, grab your friends and enjoy a wild night at the Zoo! Ticket purchase provides you with zoo admission, your own souvenir sampling glass, unlimited beer/wine samples, animal encounters, and great live entertainment! Food will be available for purchase during the event.This is a 21+ event, so have your ID ready at the gate! Doors open at 6:00 pm. VIP Admission Perks! A unique sampling glass $10 voucher for food Early Entrance to Brew – 5:00 pm! VIP Only Samples A portion of the proceeds will benefit the continued growth of the Buttonwood Park Zoo’s educational programs, ensuring that South Coast families will always have a way to experience nature close to home. Want your brewery, winery, or food truck to join in on the fun? Contact Kris at kcaisse@bpzoo.org to learn more on how to register your business! General Admission Tickets $50 per person  $25 for a Designated Driver* *Please note, this ticket does NOT include beer & wine tasting. VIP Admission Tickets SOLD OUT $85 per person  $35 for a Designated Driver* *Please note, this ticket does NOT include beer & wine tasting. LIVE ENTERTAINMENT BY Jacquelyn Legendre Music THE MENU Gonzalez Food Truck THE DRINK VENDORS Thank You to Our...

Have a Wild Night at BPZOO July 6, 2023 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Pictured: Mike Benjamin and the Keepers Join us on Thursday, July 6th from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm at the Buttonwood Park Zoo for a magically wild evening of delectable bites, cocktails, encounters with animal residents, our annual “Zoolala” auction, live music and dancing with Mike Benjamin and the Keepers. Your support of this event helps us provide high-quality educational programs to the community, as well as helps BPZOO maintain a high standard of animal care. Purchase Tickets “Take a bid on the wild side” and support the Buttonwood Park Zoological Society as you explore one-of-a-kind experiences, artful creations, unique gifts, and much more. Your contribution provides critical support for New Bedford’s beloved local zoo. By participating, you protect endangered wildlife, connect our community to nature, and safeguard the sustainability of this treasured organization for generations to come. Auction will go live at 8:00 am, Thursday, July 6th and close at 9:00 pm during the Soiree.  Soiree at the Zoo Day(s) : Hour(s) : Minute(s) : Second(s) Thank You to Our...