The Buttonwood Park Zoo has a lot to celebrate this holiday season – including the birth of bearded emperor tamarin twins! Pepper, a 3-year-old bearded emperor tamarin, who came to the BPZoo in 2018 from Twycross Zoo in the United Kingdom, gave birth to the twins on October 20, 2019. This is the first offspring for both parents and the first time the BPZoo has witnessed the birth of Bearded Emperor Tamarins.
The twin’s father, Jack, a 4-year-old bearded emperor tamarin from the Blackpool Zoo in the United Kingdom, came to the BPZoo, along with Pepper, to help boost the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) population of this species. The Zoo’s Director, Keith Lovett, chairs the AZA’s New World Primate Taxonomic Advisory Group (NWPTAG). The NWPTAG has been actively collaborating with its counterparts in the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) to ensure the sustainability of healthy and genetically diverse populations of Central and South American monkeys. Additionally, these groups are working diligently to support the conservation of this species in the wild. Currently, there are only 33 Bearded Emperor Tamarins in 11 AZA institutions – including the 4 residing in New Bedford.
Regarding this birth, Mr. Lovett stated that “Since the opening of Rainforest, Rivers & Reefs in 2017 the Zoo has been successful in the management of several species of tamarins. This important birth will not only improve the genetic diversity of this species in North America, but allow the Zoo to raise awareness to the many field projects the Zoo supports for primates in the wild”.
Native to Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru, these small, tree dwelling monkeys reside in lowland tropical rainforest, typically between 80 – 95 feet elevation and their diet consists of tree sap, fruits, insects, and eggs. While they are not currently endangered, rapid deforestation, infrastructure construction and popularity within the illegal pet trade may threaten this species in the near future.
Come see Pepper, Jack and the two little ones in the Zoo’s innovative Rainforests, Rivers & Reefs exhibit on Friday, December 27, 2019 during “Visit the Zoo Day” and receive half off a child admission with the purchase of an adult admission. Zoos and aquariums see over 183 million annual visitors in the US and over 200 million worldwide- that’s more than the annual attendance of the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB combined!
The Zoo is located at 425 Hawthorn Street in New Bedford and is open from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm daily throughout the winter. Ticket prices for non-New Bedford Residents are $10 for adults/$6 for children 3-12; Ticket prices for New Bedford Residents are $7.50 for adults/$4.50 for children 3-12.
NEW BEDFORD — If “sloth” brings to mind one of the Seven Deadly Sins, it’s time for some rethinking.
The only thing sinful about Lysander, one of the Buttonwood Park Zoo’s latest additions, is that she’s sinfully cute.
Lysander, affectionately known as “Sandy,” is the Zoo’s — and SouthCoast’s — first female Hoffman’s two-toed sloth, according to a news release from the Zoo.
Santa Claus is coming to the BPZoo! The Buttonwood Park Zoological Society is getting into the holiday spirit with “Cookies, Paws and Santa Claus”, featuring cookie decorating, holiday crafting, meet and greets with our animal ambassadors and a chance to meet the big guy himself in our frozen North Pole.
Cookies, Paws and Santa Claus will be held on Saturday, December 14 and 21 at 10:30 am and again at 1:30 pm. All guests in your party must pre-register. Pricing for the event is $10 for Zoo members and $15 for non-members (Zoo admission is included). Children under the age of 1 are free. Space is limited, so register today at www.bpzoo.org/cookies-paws-and-santa-claus/.
Ready to book your plans for New Year’s Eve but not a fan of staying up too late? Who says you have to wait until midnight to ring in the new year! Grab your party hats and dancing shoes and head to the Zoo for a Noon Year’s Eve celebration! This unique, family-friendly celebration includes a dance party with DJ Danny Levin, encounters with the Zoo’s animal ambassadors and festive activities! Train and carousel rides, weather permitting, are also included. Ring in the New Year at NOON time by toasting with a complement of toast and sparkling apple juice.
The Noon Year’s Eve celebration will be held on Tuesday, December 31 from 10:30 am until 12:30 pm. Pricing is for the whole family (two adults and up to four children) and is $20 for Zoo members and $25 for non-members. This event is sponsored by Hawthorn Medical. For more information or to register, visit www.bpzoo.org/noon-years-eve/.
The Zoo is located at 425 Hawthorn Street in New Bedford and is open from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm, with the last admission at 3:15 pm throughout the winter. Ticket prices for non-New Bedford Residents are $10 for adults/$6 for children 3-12; Ticket prices for New Bedford Residents are $7.50 for adults/$4.50 for children 3-12. For more information about the Zoo’s programs, animals and exhibits, visit www.bpzoo.org.
I thought I knew New Bedford. Southcoast town, whaling history, commercial fishing, yeah, yeah, I got it. And sure, that’s all true, but New Bedford is more – a lot more. It’s a city where art and artists aren’t just welcomed – they’re omnipresent. Murals and statues line the downtown (as do ever-changing exhibits). Music fills the street and seeps out of bars. Performances and concerts are a part of life, and food – how did it take me this long to get to the food? – reflects the town’s fishing heritage in intriguing new ways. A short drive from Boston, it’s the perfect place for a weekend getaway, or the perfect stopover on your way to Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard.
What to Do: Buttonwood Park Zoo: Named one of the finest small zoos in the country, Buttonwood Park Zoo is a real treat. We visited during their Tails and Taps event but they have a full calendar of programs for all ages! My favorites: the elephants and the fennec fox.
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