As the state turns slowly to a safer, healthier place, the Zoo is turning with it. In keeping with Governor Lamont’s Covid-19 guidelines, the Zoo is relaxing its mask protocols. While we still strongly recommend that you continue to wear masks when visiting the Zoo, you may now remove your masks if you are outdoors and able to social distance from others.
Indoors, or in situations where people may be clustered more closely together–for instance, in a line at the Cafe, Gift Shop or Front Gate, or in an animal viewing area–masks are still required. All guests over the age of two should have a mask with them, unless there is a medical reason why masking is not appropriate for you.
We have also begun to open up more areas of the Zoo. We have opened the playground, the W.O.L.F. Cabin, the indoor viewing area for the Spider monkeys, and the Natt Family Red Panda Habitat. We are continuing to work on plans to open the Research Station, Carousel Building, and Rainforest Building, but for now they remain closed.
The safety of our guests, staff, and animals continues to be our highest priority. Thank you for your support throughout a challenging year for all of us. We appreciate your patience as we continue to update our Covid protocols.
Looking for a fun and personal way to commemorate your family’s memories at the Zoo? Consider buying a brick to help pave the way for the Zoo’s new Farmyard! Your name and short message can be a permanent part of one of the most popular areas of the Zoo. Learn more.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, grandmas and individuals who care for others! We hope to see you soon.
May Events:
Virtual Wild Wine, Beer & Food Safari
Spend Saturday, June 5th partying with the Zoo!
Each carefully crafted box has everything for your wild night, including: three bottles of wine (1 red, 1 white, 1 rose), two 4-packs of beer, two Zoo logo wine glasses featuring the Zoo’s logo, two wine glass lanyards, a livestream concert with music from The Navels to entertain you and a pre-recorded Zoo tour to watch while you sip. Cost is $200 per party box. Additional wine glasses and lanyards may be purchased.
Leave Your Mark on the New Farmyard
Help us finish the Zoo’s Farmyard by purchasing a brick. The 4×8 ($100) bricks allow for 3 lines of text, with up to 20 characters including spaces and punctuation per line. The 8×8 ($250) bricks allow for 6 lines of text, with up to 20 characters including spaces and punctuation per line. Bricks will be placed in front of the barn in the lower Farmyard. Be a part of our future, donate and reserve your brick today!
Bricks must be reserved by Friday, May 7
May Member Perk
Visit the Zoo in the month of May and receive 20% off your total purchase at the Gift Shop. Whether it’s a gift for mom (psst…don’t forget Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 9th!), or a little something for yourself, be sure to stop down on your way out to receive your discount.
Offer ends May 31, 2021.
Not a member? Join the Zoo today!
Evening Lecture Series
Sponsored by AARP – May 19
Join Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo and AARP for our Evening Lecture Series! Our May Evening Lecture will take place on Wednesday, May 19 at 7:00pm. Join us as Court Whelan takes us on a virtual tour of monarch magic in Mexico’s Central Highlands. AARP Members will need to register through the AARP CT website. All Evening Lectures are free to attend, although a $10 donation is suggested.
Join Us This Spring for Virtual Zoo Tots
Are your little ones ready for another fun virtual season of Zoo Tots? Visit our website and register now for the following dates:
May 12 at 10:30am: Garden Critters!
June 9 at 10:30am: Summer Fun!
Cost is $10 per household. Space is limited and program fills up quickly – register early to secure your spot! Register here.
Endangered Species Day Lecture
Friday, May 21 at 7pm
Endangered Species Day is an opportunity for people of all ages to learn about the importance of protecting endangered species and everyday actions they can take to help protect them. Once extinct in the wild, enigmatic and elusive, the Red wolf’s story is one of unfolding mystery and 21st century discovery. With fewer than 300 animals in existence, these remarkable creatures are found solely in the U.S., and are among the rarest species on the planet. Join Curator of Education and Zoologist Jim Knox to meet the animal behind the mystery and learn what we can all do to ensure its survival.
Save the Date! Golf Tournament
September will be here before we know it, and so will the Zoo’s Annual Golf Tournament! Join the Zoo at Brooklawn Country Club on Monday, September 13th for a day of golf, food and fun! This year’s tournament will feature tee times and food on the course for a socially-distanced day outside. Golfers who register by June 1, 2021 will receive exclusive Zoo swag in their golf swag bags. Register today to reserve your preferred tee time and Zoo swag!
Needs & Deeds
A place to show gratitude to our faithful Zoo supporters and acknowledge current needs.
Needs:
Our Maintenance Team is in need of the following to help enhance our buildings and Zoo Grounds:
If you would like to contribute to or donate equipment, please contact Jessica Taylor at jtaylor@beardsleyzoo.org. Thank you
Deeds:
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to Carol Knee and Martha Bolton for purchasing a microscope for the Zoo’s Greenhouse!
If you and your company/organization are interested in hosting a fundraiser for the Zoo, please contact Jessica Taylor at jtaylor@beardsleyzoo.org
Animal Fun Fact
I am a snake whose scientific name means “shining, beautiful scales” and I have a reputation for eating other snakes, even venomous snakes! Can you guess who I am?
The Greenwich Sentinel received this as a press release. The Greenwich Sentinel news department was not involved in the creation of this content.
