Bridgeport
Connecticut
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo has a proud history of over 80 years as Connecticut's only zoo. As an accredited member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) and participant in its Species Survival Plan (SSP), we are committed to the preservation of endangered animals and are actively developing strategies that will protect species and preserve their wild habitats. Through education, conservation, research and recreation, Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo provides a wonderfully wild experience for students and families.
Mission:
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is dedicated to acquainting a diverse public to the delicate balance that exists between living things and their environment.
Animal exhibits, plantings, graphics, and Zoo programs are to be represented in such a manner as to give the visitor a sense of awareness and concern for the intricate beauty and fragility of our planet.
This mission is achieved by a master plan comprised of the following goals.
- Education, through staff involvement and training, outreach programs, workshops, lectures, docent volunteers, natural animal exhibits, informational and interpretive graphics, and research by utilizing staff, universities and other zoological facilities.
- Conservation, through participation in in situ and ex situ endangered species programs such as the Species Survival Program, Zoo Conservation Outreach Group, etc. Also through professional animal and veterinary care and a comprehensive animal management policy.
- Recreation, through state-of-the-art exhibit design, well-run visitor services (i.e., food and gift concessions, rides, rest rooms and parking) and to maximize the natural and park-like setting by formal and informal landscaping.
Upcoming Events at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
Wild Wine, Beer and Food Safari
Recent News
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo News - January 2024
A Note from the Zoo Director: Hello Everyone, And Happy New Year! We look forward to continuing the great successes of 2023 into the new year. We have an action-packed calendar of projects and events this year so be sure to follow us on…
Read More »Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo News - December 2023
A Note from the Zoo Director: Hello Everyone, It's the merriest month of the year! We have lots to celebrate this month, but Glow Wild is coming to a close this Saturday. If you haven't had a chance to enjoy our Lantern Festival, the last…
Read More »Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo News - September 2023
A Note from the Zoo Director: Hello Everyone, With Election Day right around the corner, I know everyone is thinking about how best to support the candidate and political party of your choice--you know, of course, I'm talking about the…
Read More »Zoo Gala Silent Auction is Open for Bidding!
Our annual Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo Gala Silent Auction IS OPEN FOR BIDDING! Join the fun and start bidding today! With over 75 unique packages, from artwork, unique experiences, travel packages, restaurant gift cards, and more, there's sure to…
Read More »Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo News - September 29, 2023
A Note from the Zoo Director: Hello Everyone, Exciting things are happening at the Zoo! Phase One of Tiger Habitat Renovation Will Begin I'm excited to announce that Phase One of our long-planned tiger habitat renovation and…
Read More »Fairy Tails Day 2023
The Zoo will turn into a magical land, with a day full of fun activities, including princesses, story time at multiple locations on grounds, face painting, performances and animal presentations! The day of fun and fantasy is sponsored by the…
Read More »Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo News - September 2023
A Note from the Zoo Director: Hello Everyone! September's arrival and the change of seasons marks changes at the Zoo as well! With Labor Day, the Zoo concludes our special summer programming: our weekly animal presentations and Skyhunters in…
Read More »Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo News - August 1, 2023
A Note from the Zoo Director: Hello Everyone! Summer is flying by, but August is full of wonderful things happening at the Zoo! If you haven't seen our animal programs yet, you can catch them Thursdays through Sundays at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.…
Read More »Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo Vote - People's Choice Award!
VOTE TODAY! 5th Annual Zoo Photography Exhibition 'People's Choice Award' Over the last month, more than 100 photos were submitted by dedicated amateur and professional photographers for the Zoo's 5th Annual Photography Exhibition. Now, the…
Read More »Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo News - June 1, 2023
A Note from the Zoo Director: Hello Everyone! It's June, and all of us at the Zoo are excited to spend the summer of 2023 with you! Children are finishing up another school year, the spur-thighed tortoises are on their way for their summer…
Read More »Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo News - May 12, 2023
Our Wild Wine, Beer & Food Safari Silent Auction IS OPEN FOR BIDDING! Join the fun and start bidding today! With over 75 unique packages, from artwork, unique experiences, travel packages, restaurant gift cards, and more, there's sure to be…
Read More »Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo News - May 2023
A Note from the Zoo Director Hello Everyone! It's the marvelous month of May! The flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, and the Zoo is welcoming babies! North American River Otter Pups We are so excited to welcome four North American…
Read More »Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo News - March 2023
A Note from the Zoo Director Hello Everyone! Just as Beardsley Bart predicted, spring is right around the corner! We see more signs of it every day--except for the first snowstorm of winter that arrived on the last day of February. In spite of…
Read More »Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo News - February 2023
A Note from the Zoo Director Hello Everyone! We’re experiencing a mild winter so far this year, so I hope you’ve taken the opportunity to visit us at the Zoo. It’s a quieter, more peaceful experience for our guests without warm…
Read More »Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo News And Updates - January 2023
A Note from the Zoo Director Hello Everyone! This month, we launch Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo into its next hundred years, a responsibility that we all take seriously. We've spent the last 12 months celebrating and looking back on our…
Read More »Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo News And Updates - December 2022
A Note from the Zoo Director Hello Everyone! As we come to the end of our 100th year, I'm looking back on our celebrations with gratitude for your support, and a bit of wonder at how quickly the year went by. Our Centennial Birthday Party was a…
Read More »Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo News And Updates - November 2022
November 2022 News & Updates A Note from the Zoo Director Hello Everyone! November is the month when we focus on gratitude. Every year, I am grateful for the ongoing support of our guests, members, board members, staff, volunteers,…
Read More »Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo - Zoo's Centennial Gala's Silent Auction Is Open!
CENTENNIAL GALA Silent Auction IS OPEN FOR BIDDING! Our Centennial Gala taking place on October 29 is nearly SOLD OUT! If you didn't get your ticket to this momentous event, you can still support the zoo and join the fun by participating in our…
Read More »Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo News And Updates - October 2022
October 2022 News & Updates A Note from the Zoo Director Hello Everyone! Fall has arrived! The crisp air and sunny skies of October are perfect for visiting the Zoo. And we have a lot for you to do! Our Centennial Celebration…
Read More »Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo News And Updates - September 2022
A Note from the Zoo Director Hello Everyone! Our Centennial Celebration continues this fall with two very special events: Glow Wild, and our Centennial Gala. Glow Wild is our family-friendly evening lantern festival that begins September 15,…
Read More »Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo News and Updates August 2022
A Note from the Zoo Director Hello Everyone! Have you met our new spider monkeys? Bertha and Janet have joined Gilligan and TT and we now have a happy troop of four! Bertha, age 30, and Janet, age 16, came to us from the Montgomery Zoo in…
Read More »Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo - Let's Tee Up for Conservation
Join the Zoo on the golf course as we tee up for conservation on Monday, September 12, 2022! On Monday, September 12, 2022 Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo will host its annual Golf Tournament at the exclusive…
Read More »Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo - Let's Tee Up for Conservation
Join the Zoo on the golf course as we tee up for conservation on Monday, September 12, 2022! On Monday, September 12, 2022 Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo will host its annual Golf Tournament at the exclusive Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield,…
Read More »Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo News and Updates July 2022
A Note from the Zoo Director Hello Everyone! Summer is in full swing at the Zoo! We begin our Centennial Animal Shows on Friday, July 1, continuing all summer long every Thursday and Friday at 11am and 2pm. On Saturdays and Sundays,…
Read More »Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo News and Updates June 2022
A Note from the Zoo Director Hello Everyone! It took 100 years, but we're ready for our Centennial Celebration on June 25th! Join us from 11-3 as we reflect on the Zoo's history and just how far animal care and welfare has come since 1922.…
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