Buttonwood Park Zoo
 The entrance to the Buttonwood Park Zoo |
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| Date opened | 1894;[1] August 2000 (renovated) |
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| Location | New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA |
| Number of animals | >250 [2] |
| Annual visitors | 222,000 [1] |
| Memberships | AZA [3] |
| Website | http://www.bpzoo.org/ |
The Buttonwood Park Zoo, located in New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA, is a ten-acre zoo located in the center of Buttonwood Park. It is owned and operated by the City of New Bedford, with the support of the Buttonwood Park Zoological Society.
The zoo opened in 1894 and reopened in 2000 after major renovations. It is home to a variety of North American wildlife and it supports many conservation programs, such as the Cape Cod Stranding Network.
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[edit] History
The Buttonwood Park Zoo is the oldest continually operating zoo in Massachusetts.
In 1969, the Buttonwood Park Zoological Society (BPZS), a private, nonprofit corporation, was founded to manage the membership program, run concessions, produce zoo events, and coordinate fundraising. The City of New Bedford supplies one-third of the money needed to operate the zoo, and the remainder is covered by concessions income and contributions from the BPZS.[4]
By the 1990s, the zoo was in deplorable condition and in need of renovation. The zoo closed in late 1995 for renovations. The new, state-of-the-art Buttonwood Park Zoo opened in August 2000 to wide acclaim.
Buttonwood Park Zoo was called "one of the finest small zoos in the United States" by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association in 2003.[1]
[edit] Exhibits
The zoo houses over 200 animal species from around the world. Exhibits feature animals from the barnyard to animals from the wild. Pony rides are offered to children.
The exhibits are categorized into five main areas:
- North America East (NAE): This section contains black bears, river otters, beavers, turkey buzzards, bald eagles, and coyotes.
- North America West (NAW): This section contains bison, cougars, Canadian lynx, bobcat, and crows.
- Aquatics: This section contains harbor seal, shorebirds, a salt marsh, a kettlepond, a mountain stream, amphibians, snakes, and turtles.
- Elephants: This section contains the zoo's two Asian elephants.
- Domestics: This section contains horses, cows, sheeps, goats, pigs, and an area for pony rides.
[edit] Education
Buttonwood Park Zoo features the Wildlife Education Center, an educational building in the heart of the zoo. It contains two classrooms host the zoo's educational programs and business and private meetings.
[edit] Other features
The zoo also has a North Woods Gift Store (gift shop) and a Bear's Den Cafe (restaurant). These facilities are open daily.[5]
[edit] Events
Annual events at the zoo include Boo at the Zoo, Holiday Lights, Cabin Fever Week, and Spring Fling Week.[1]
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c d "History and Facts". bpzoo.org. Buttonwood Park Zoo. http://bpzoo.org/about-the-zoo/zoo-history-facts/. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
- ^ "About the Zoo". bpzoo.org. Buttonwood Park Zoo. http://bpzoo.org/about-the-zoo/. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
- ^ "List of Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". aza.org. Association of Zoos and Aquariums. http://www.aza.org/current-accreditation-list/. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
- ^ "Zoo Society". bpzoo.org. Buttonwood Park Zoo. http://bpzoo.org/about-the-zoo/zoo-society/. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
- ^ http://www.wegoplaces.com/Attraction_55004.aspx
[edit] External links
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Coordinates: 41°37′48″N 70°57′10″W / 41.62996°N 70.95273°W
