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BPZOO Participates in National Waterfowl Conservation Efforts

BPZOO Participates in National Waterfowl Conservation Efforts

by | May 19, 2023 | Animals, Conservation

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
Soiree at the Zoo

Soiree at the Zoo

by | Feb 3, 2023 | Animals, Conservation, Education, Events

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

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Thank You to Our Sponsors

Red Panda Conservation

Red Panda Conservation

by | Oct 13, 2022 | Animals, Conservation

BPZOO IS COMMITTED TO SAVING RED PANDAS IN THE WILD 

Red pandas are endemic to the Himalayas in Nepal, India, Bhutan, Myanmar (Burma) and southern China. The global red panda population has declined by 50% in 20 years and there may be as few as 2,500 remaining in the wild. Habitat loss is the primary threat, but there is hope for this charismatic species. 

What are we doing to protect this endangered species?

BPZOO is proud to partner with Red Panda Network, the world leader in efforts to protect red pandas and their habitat, as a 2022 Reforestation Sponsor. 

Our most recent donation of $5,000 will support the land purchase, reforestation, and the salary of a local land steward for one hectare of red panda habitat in the Panchthar-Ilam-Taplejung (PIT) corridor in eastern Nepal: a critical location for red panda conservation that has been heavily fragmented and degraded by deforestation.

Red pandas are unique, important and unfortunately endangered. They are a flagship species, meaning their conservation has landscape-level impacts, and like an umbrella, the entire ecoregion — its forests and wildlife — are protected when red pandas are conserved.

 

In 2019, Buttonwood Park Zoo unveiled its first ever red panda habitat. Since then, thanks to the success of our Conservation Donation Kiosk, we have donated $12,000 to Red Panda Network. Resident red pandas, Jacob and Marie, serve as ambassador for their species and together we will continue to inspire our guests and work to protect wildlife and wild places.

 

Shown here is land that needs to be restored in Ilam district. The barren land near Jaubari is a major population bottleneck location for red pandas (and other endangered wildlife) in the Panchthar-Ilam-Taplejung (PIT) corridor.

The majority of tree saplings for planting and restoration come from forest conservation nurseries which are being managed by local Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs), livestock herders and local councils. All trees are native species and red panda food species are prioritized.

In addition to restoring critical habitat, our Reforestation Sponsorship provides alternative and sustainable income opportunities for local families.

With our support, the Red Panda Network will be able to establish a bio-bridge that connects the fragmented patches of Community Forest on the Nepal side with the protected areas in India.

 

Way to go Jacob and Marie! 

International Red Panda Day

International Red Panda Day

by | Sep 12, 2022 | Animals, Conservation, Family

BPZOO CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL RED PANDA DAY 

Join us for International Red Panda Day at the Zoo on Saturday, September 17th to learn about our red pandas, Jacob and Marie, and raise awareness about this beautiful, yet endangered species.

There will be a special Red Panda Keeper Chat at 2:00pm.

Let’s see how much we can raise for red pandas! Donate to the Zoo’s conservation donation fund during your visit, or online, and be entered into a raffle to win a VIP Red Panda Encounter for four people! For every $5.00 donation, you’ll receive one raffle entry. These donations must be made in person or online on September 17th to be entered.

 

Do you have a red panda shirt? Wear it to the Zoo on September 17th and you’ll receive a free ride ticket! Be sure to tag us on social media and show that you want to #savetheredpanda!

 

What are we doing to protect this endangered species?

BPZOO is proud to partner with the Red Panda Network, the world leader in efforts to protect red pandas and their habitat, as a Reforestation Sponsor. Our most recent donation of $5,000 will support the land purchase, reforestation, and the salary of a local land steward for one hectare of red panda habitat in the Panchthar-Ilam-Taplejung (PIT) corridor in eastern Nepal: a critical location for red panda conservation that has been heavily fragmented and degraded by deforestation.

Red pandas are unique, important and unfortunately endangered. There may be as few as 2,500 red pandas remaining in the wild. Red pandas are a flagship species. Their conservation has landscape-level impacts, and like an umbrella, the entire ecoregion — its forests and wildlife — are protected when red pandas are conserved.

 

BPZOO is dedicated to protecting wildlife and wild places.

Elephant Appreciation Day

Elephant Appreciation Day

by | Aug 21, 2022 | Animals, Conservation, Family

JOIN US FOR A BIG CELEBRATION

Elephant Appreciation Day at BPZOO is happening on Sunday, September 25, 2022 and we welcome you to join us in honoring and celebrating Ruth and Emily! Can you believe that Ruth is turning 64 and Emily is turning 58!? Stop by the Asian elephant habitat for educational activities from 11:00am – 2:00pm, with a Happy Birthday sing-a-long & special enrichment happening at 1:00pm.

Did you know – Ruth and Emily are among the oldest Asian elephants in North America? It is an honor and a privilege to provide a home for these beautiful elephants and we welcome the community to join us in honoring them!

If you would like to bring Emily and Ruth a special treat, donations of unopened packages of unsalted shelled peanuts, yogurt covered raisins, and dried fruit will be accepted on their behalf.

The Asian elephants you know and love living in zoos and human care serve as ambassadors to inspire people to care about their preservation. From Sunday, September 18 – 25, all Coins for Conservation donations will go directly towards in-situ elephant conservation.

Asian elephant numbers are 10 times lower than those of African elephants. Worldwide, the estimate is that only 40,000 – 50,000 remain. Lack of habitat, competition for resources, and development have left about a third of all Asian elephants reliant on some form of managed care. We need to find ways for humans and elephants to peacefully coexist to save the species. AZA facilities and affiliated conservation organizations are doing just this, in order to ensure this magnificent species will remain for generations to come!

You can make a donation in their honor that goes directly towards Asian elephant conservation.

 

BPZOO is dedicated to protecting wildlife and wild places.