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 continues with two very special events: Glow Wild, and our Centennial Gala.

Glow Wild is our family-friendly evening lantern festival presented Thursdays through Sundays until November 27. Come explore the Zoo at night and journey through a wonderland of larger-than-life illuminated lanterns. You can walk through a brilliant wisteria tunnel and see colorful animals and mystical creatures. People are raving about this first-time-ever experience!

Our Centennial Gala will be held on October 29 at the Inn at Longshore in Westport. This year's in-person Gala celebrates our Centennial with our very special cocktail hour featuring Master Falconer Brian Bradley and his Sky Hunters in Flight, and our fascinating guest speaker, Jim Breheny, Director of the Bronx Zoo. This elegant evening affair raises money to support the Zoo's many rare and endangered species. We hope to see you there.

In animal news, we've welcomed a tom turkey and two turkey hens to the New England Farmyard. And we invite you to come view the Centennial Tiles that are being put in place now just beyond the front gate. Thank you to everyone who supported this important fundraiser. Come find your name! 

 I'll see you at the Zoo! 

-Gregg Dancho

Zoo Hours

Zoo: Open daily, 9:00am - 4:00pm

Peacock Cafe:

Open Daily, 9:00am - 4:00pm

Carousel:

Open Daily, 9:00am - 4:00pm

Canteen:

Open Daily, 10:00am - 3:00pm

Hours are subject to change due to staffing and/or weather conditions. Please be sure to check our website or Facebook page for any information regarding Zoo closures.

Plan Your Visit!

This Month at the Zoo!

TICKETS ON SALE! Glow Wild Lantern Festival

Journey through a wonderland of illuminated larger-than-life lanterns inspired by our wild world.

This amazing festival will culminate a year of festivities celebrating the Zoo’s 100th birthday and will be held every Thursday - Sunday through November 27. The festival will showcase more than 35 large-scale illuminated displays, featuring hundreds of beautiful individual and interactive lanterns. 

Spanning the width and breadth of Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo’s 30 acres, guests are invited to walk through glowing corridors. Displays of flora and fauna will light up the night sky, dazzling guests of all ages. Glow Wild is designed for everyone to enjoy--whether a family outing, romantic date, or co-worker get together. Click here for a quick preview of the event.

Thank you to our sponsors: Our Glow Wild Sponsors are the Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Memorial Foundation and Hamilton Rare Breads Foundation Inc., along with Premier Sponsors Avangrid (UI, SCG), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), R.D. Scinto and the Emanuel Family, and The Ernest & Joan Trefz Foundation. Select Sponsors are Coca-Cola Northeast, M & T Bank, Newtown Savings Bank, Subway Restaurants, Vazzy's and Webster Bank. Our Hospitality Sponsor is Homewood Suites by Hilton and our Media Sponsor is WTNH News 8.

If you're interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Jessica Summers

BUY  TICKETS

Evening Lecture Series
October 19

The Endangered Orchids of Fakahatchee with Mike Owen

The Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park located in the Western Everglades is home to many endangered orchids. Mike Owen, the Park biologist, will speak about the many beautiful, endangered orchids, including the Ghost which lives in the park. Mr. Owen has studied and researched these orchids for over 28 years. Registration is $10/lecture.

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo's Evening Lecture Series is sponsored by AARP and brought to you by the CBZ Volunteer Council.

Register Today

International Sloth Day
October 20
This holiday raises awareness about the life cycle and natural habitat of sloths, native South and Central American animals. Come find our two two-toed sloths, Rhubarb and Hope, hiding in our Rainforest exhibit. The two-toed sloth is a mid-size animal with brownish-greenish fur that provides excellent camouflage. Hint: look up!

National Reptile Awareness Day
October 21
Each year, on October 21, people across the nation observe National Reptile Awareness Day. Created not only for reptile lovers to celebrate, but National Reptile Awareness Day also promotes education, conservation, and appreciation for reptiles. It is a day to learn about their natural habitats and the ecological threats that they are facing.

Bat Week
October 24-31
Each year, Bat Week is an annual, international celebration of the role of bats in nature. Bat Week is organized by conservation organizations from across the United States and Canada. Learning opportunities for guests will be held all week, with crafts and fun activities. Come visit our Vampire bats and participate in special activities all week long!

Boo at the Zoo
October 29: 11 am- 3:00 pm
(Rain date: October 30, 11-3)
A spooktacular afternoon of seasonal delights! Enjoy spooky animal talks and a DJ! Guaranteed to delight and fright all those who pass through. Dress up in your Halloween costume and join the party! 
“Boo at the Zoo is a longstanding Zoo tradition that many families look forward to,” said Gregg Dancho, Zoo director.  “It’s a fun afternoon of cool critters, and, of course, family memories.”

Buy Tickets Today

Centennial Gala
October 29
Only a few tables left!
On Saturday, October 29, 2022, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo will celebrate 100 years of educating guests about the importance of wild animals and wild places while providing the community with a wonderful place for families to enjoy time together.

Can't join us at the Gala? Be on the lookout later this month for the opportunity to support the zoo by pre-bidding on some of our amazing silent/live auction lots!

Secure Your Seats

Centennial Wall of Fame
The walls are up! Thank you everyone who purchased a centennial tile - helping our zoo build toward its bright and promising future. This installation is located in the front plaza of the zoo. Come check it out today!

What’s the right way to wear and carry a backpack? What else should you know so we can keep our learners in good physical health? Dr. Phil Mack, orthopedic surgeon with Connecticut Children’s, has answers.

Read more here.

Follow @ConnecticutChildrens on social media for the latest parenting tips from our pediatric experts, brought to you through Connecticut Children's Pediatric Care Alliance with Hartford HealthCare.

Needs & Deeds
A place to show gratitude to our faithful Zoo supporters and acknowledge current needs.

Needs

The Zoo is in need of the following:

Your Zoo Memories! As part of our Centennial, we will be collecting stories, photos, and memories to highlight the Zoo's impact on our community. To submit a memory, please click here.

If you would like to contribute to or donate equipment, please contact Ashley Volkens at [email protected] .

Thank you!

Deeds
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to everyone who sponsored and participated in this year's Golf Tournament - grossing over $67,000 for the zoo.
If you and your company/organization are interested in hosting a fundraiser for the Zoo, please contact Ashley Volkens at [email protected].

ANIMAL FUN FACT

I have a mouth with 65 teeth and I bite with 2,000 pounds of pressure. If I lose a tooth, a new one grows back. I continue to grow my entire life, living up to 50 years. Can you guess who I am?

Click for the Answer!

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