Zoo Events
March 2 (2-4 pm) — FrogWatch Citizen Scientist Training at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
Would you like to help the environment? Do you know of a wetland near you with frogs calling? The Museum is looking for volunteers to help monitor frog populations in nearby wetlands during the spring and summer. The time commitment is 15 minutes one or two times per week, 1/2 hour after sunset. Older children are recommended as half hour after sunset can be after 9 pm in the summer. You do not have to be a frog expert as training is provided. Co-sponsored with Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, Connecticut Audubon Center at Glastonbury, and The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. Training is free for Yale Peabody Museum, Maritime Aquarium, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo and Connecticut Audubon Society members. The fee is $10 for non-member families. Also held March 2, March 8 and March 22. Register here.
March 8 (7-9 pm) — FrogWatch Citizen Scientist Training at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo
Would you like to help the environment? Do you know of a wetland near you with frogs calling? The Museum is looking for volunteers to help monitor frog populations in nearby wetlands during the spring and summer. The time commitment is 15 minutes one or two times per week, 1/2 hour after sunset. Older children are recommended as half hour after sunset can be after 9 pm in the summer. You do not have to be a frog expert as training is provided. Co-sponsored with Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, Connecticut Audubon Center at Glastonbury, and The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. Training is free for Yale Peabody Museum, Maritime Aquarium, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo and Connecticut Audubon Society members. The fee is $10 for non-member families. Also held March 2, March 8 and March 22. Register here.
March 12 & 13 (10:30 a.m.) — Zoo Tots
This monthly 45-minute program for children ages 22 months to four years, who are accompanied by an adult, may include stories, games, activities, crafts, and live animals. The cost is $10 for Zoo members and one child; $15 for non-members and one child. Participants may sign up for either day. To make a reservation, pre-register by calling the Zoo’s Education Department at 203-394-6563, or register by email: programming@beardsleyzoo.orgwith your name, child’s name and age, and membership status. Please note that the program fills up very quickly and pre-registration is required.
March 16 (9:30 a.m. to noon) — Zoo Career Explorers Meeting
Investigate Zoo careers from animal care to development and marketing, to visitor services and maintenance to Zoo Director. Teens 14-18 interested in learning more about Zoos and Zoo careers are welcome to join our Explorer Post. Explorer Post members attend career workshops with hands-on activities, take part in job shadows, develop a public presentation, and create a year-end project. Program fee of $120 covers all project materials. Applications accepted through March 31. Teens 14-18 can register for this program at http://www.beardsleyzoo.org/just-4-teens
March 17 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) — St. Patrick’s Day
It’s St. Patrick’s Day! Time to groove your green at the Zoo! Anyone in the Irish spirit wearing green today will receive 15% off the price of admission. Cannot be combined with any other offer.
March 22 (7-9 pm) — FrogWatch Citizen Scientist Training at CT Audubon Center at Glastonbury
Would you like to help the environment? Do you know of a wetland near you with frogs calling? The Museum is looking for volunteers to help monitor frog populations in nearby wetlands during the spring and summer. The time commitment is 15 minutes one or two times per week, 1/2 hour after sunset. Older children are recommended as half hour after sunset can be after 9 pm in the summer. You do not have to be a frog expert as training is provided. Co-sponsored with Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, Connecticut Audubon Center at Glastonbury, and The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. Training is free for Yale Peabody Museum, Maritime Aquarium, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo and Connecticut Audubon Society members. The fee is $10 for non-member families. Also held March 2, March 8 and March 22. Register here.
April 2 (9-4) — World Autism Awareness Day
Light It Up Blue! Come wearing something blue and get $3 off the price of admission. Cannot be combined with other offers.
April 8 (9-4) — National Zoo Lovers Day
This would be a perfect day to visit a zoo and be one of the millions of people who visit them each year. Enjoy seeing your favorite animals swinging from the trees or splashing in the water and have a fun-filled day. A few Zoo facts: Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo opened in 1922 and is 97 years old. The Zoo is home to more than 300 animals, primarily North and South American and some Asian species. Many endangered species make their home at the Zoo, including Amur tigers and leopards, Mexican and red wolves, red pandas, and many more.
April 9 & 10 (10:30) — Zoo Tots
This monthly 45-minute program for children ages 22 months to four years, who are accompanied by an adult, may include stories, games, activities, crafts, and live animals. This session is entitled “Fur, Feather and Scales” and will explore the differences between mammals, reptiles and birds. The cost is $10 for Zoo members and one child; $15 for non-members and one child. Participants may sign up for either day. To make a reservation, pre-register by calling the Zoo’s Education Department at 203-394-6563, or register by email: programming@beardsleyzoo.org with your name, child’s name and age, and membership status.
April 12 (7 pm) — Terrarium Gardening Class at the Zoo
It’s TGIF at the Zoo—Friday, and time for Terrarium Gardening is Fun, a fundraising evening sponsored by our Volunteer Council. Join us to design and create a glass bowl terrarium. Registration and $25 prepayment required. Send an email with your name and the number in your party to TGIFatthezoo@charter.net. All materials provided, along with refreshments.
April 13 & 14 (noon to 3) — Party for the Planet
What better way to celebrate Earth Day than with the planet’s amazing and diverse wildlife? Join us for our annual Earth Day celebration featuring interpretive talks about many of the Zoo’s conservation initiatives, and how you can get involved with many Citizen Scientist programs throughout the state. In addition, there will be local vendors promoting organically produced products, information on companies utilizing green practices, performances by local musicians, and fun family games. Plans include a cleanup in Beardsley Park, and invasive plant removal with our Conservation Discovery Corps staff at the conservation pond.
April 18 (7 pm) — Special Program Lecture: Photographing Animals at the Zoo
Interested in taking better pictures? Longtime professional zoo photographer Shannon Calvert will show slides of his work over the years, and offer instruction on how to get the best animal photographs. For anyone interested in participating in the Zoo’s planned Photo Exhibit, this is the class you shouldn’t miss. $10 suggested donation. Refreshments will be served. Location: The Zoo’s Hanson Building, 1875 Noble Ave., Bridgeport.
April 24 (7 pm) — Evening Lecture Series: Wild Civility, Fairfield University
Join us for an evening celebrating WildCivility! Do zoo animals have manners? Students from Fairfield University’s U Rize program, in conjunction with Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, are studying zoo animal behavior. Behavioral studies include: a) Mom, she’s teasing me! What causes aggression in the family dynamics of our maned wolf pack? b) Is it loud in here? A look at Giant anteaters’ behaviors in response to acoustic stimuli. c) Monkey business! Monitoring the behavior of the new introduction between two new world monkey species. d) Is love in the air? Observations of red panda mating behavior. Hear the fascinating results of these behavioral studies and what’s next for these animals. The lecture will take place in the DiMenna-Nyselius Library Auditorium, Room 101, Fairfield University campus, 1073 N. Benson Road.
April 28 (9-12) — Photography Walkabout with Jack Bradley
Zoo Volunteer Jack Bradley will lead a group of 15 intermediate photographers in a hands-on morning session at the Zoo. You must have a basic working knowledge of cameras to join the group. Join Jack for tips on photographing animals from birds to bison, and tigers to trout. Class size is limited, so sign up at link to come. $15 fee, payable in advance, includes Zoo admission.
May 4 (9-4) — International Firefighters’ Day
The Zoo thanks all firefighters for their exceptional courage and commitment. We’re offering free admission to all firefighters today, as well as police officers and emergency personnel. Show your badge or ID card at the ticket window.
May 12 (9-4) — Mother’s Day
Connecticut’s only zoo wants to thank all mothers and grandmothers. Bring your mom or grandmother to the Zoo on Mother’s Day and her ticket is on us. Enjoy this special day by visiting animals and then having lunch together in the Peacock Pavilion.
May 14 & 15 (10:30) — Zoo Tots
This monthly 45-minute program for children ages 22 months to four years, who are accompanied by an adult, may include stories, games, activities, crafts, and live animals. This session is entitled “Garden Critters” and will focus on animals that like gardens. The cost is $10 for Zoo members and one child; $15 for non-members and one child. Participants may sign up for either day. To make a reservation, pre-register by calling the Zoo’s Education Department at 203-394-6563, or register by email: programming@beardsleyzoo.org with your name, child’s name and age, and membership status.
May 15 (7 pm) — Evening Lecture Series
The Zoo’s evening lecture series engage audiences of all ages, especially lifelong learners, who have an appetite for delving deeper into the wonders of wildlife. Topic to be announced.
May 17 (9-4) — Endangered Species Day
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. Details to be announced.
May 25 (9-3) — AARP Fourth Fridays FREE
AARP CT’s Fourth Fridays FREE at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is back! AARP CT will provide members with free admission to the Zoo on fourth Fridays May through September (May 25, June 28, July 26, Aug. 23, Sept. 27). Join us as many times as you like, but please be sure to register at http://www.beardsleyzoo.org/aarp/. AARP members may purchase admission for up to three guests at a 15 percent discount off regular admission prices, and will receive a coupon for the gift shop.
May 26-27 — Family Favorite Chris Rowlands LIVE
Chris is famous for getting everyone involved through singing and dancing — even bringing kids up on stage with him! Chris brings animals to life through kid-friendly songs, dance, puppets, and colorful props. Children are invited to wear fun hats and sing along on stage as he shares his self-penned songs about animals and their environment. Free with paid admission to the Zoo. Shows are at 11 am, 1 and 3 pm daily. Each performance is 30-35 minutes long. Sponsored by the CT Farm Bureau.
May 27 (9-4) — Memorial Day
All active service members and veterans get in free, and their families get 20% off the price of tickets.
June 1 — Wild Wine Safari
Join us for a fabulous night of great fare from local vendors and tastings of 100 different wines and more than 60 different beers from around the world and close to home. Details to come! Please note the Zoo will close at 2 PM on Saturday, June 1, with the last ticket sold at 12:30 PM as we prepare for the Wild Wine, Beer, and Food Safari.
June 11 & 12 (10:30) — Zoo Tots
This monthly 45-minute program, for children 22 months to four years who are accompanied by an adult, may include stories, games, crafts, and a live animal presentation. This session is “Some Like It Hot,” where we learn about how animals handle a variety of temperatures. $10 for Zoo members and one child; $15 for non-members and one child.Participants may sign up for either day. To reserve a space in the program, pre-register by calling the Zoo’s Education Department at 203-394-6563, or register by email: programming@beardsleyzoo.org with name, child’s name and age, and membership status.
June 16 (9-4) — Father’s Day
Dads and Granddads get in free with one paying guest. Cannot be combined with other offers.
June 19 (7 pm) — Evening Lecture Series: Topic to be announced
The Zoo’s evening lecture series engages audiences of all ages, especially lifelong learners, who have an appetite for delving deeper into the wonders of wildlife. $10 suggested donation. Refreshments will be served. Location: The Zoo’s Hanson Building, 1875 Noble Ave., Bridgeport.
Beginning June 20 for the summer (11 and 2) — Amazing Animal Adventures
Beginning June 20 on Thursdays through Sundays at 11 am and 2 pm, come experience an Amazing Animal Adventure. See animal ambassadors from around the world! Learn how zoos Save Animals From Extinction and how you can help to save animals around the world and in your own backyard. Held in our Learning Circle amphitheater. All show times and locations subject to change.
Beginning June 20 for the summer (12:30) — Picnic Presentations
Beginning June 20 on Thursdays through Sundays at 12:30, enjoy a live animal presentation in our Picnic Grove. Meet select Zoo animal ambassadors and their expert care givers. All show times and locations subject to change.
June 28 (9-3) — AARP Fourth Friday FREE
AARP CT will provide members with free admission to the Zoo on fourth Fridays May through September (May 25, June 28, July 26, Aug. 23, Sept. 27). Join us as many times as you like, but please be sure to register at http://www.beardsleyzoo.org/aarp/. AARP members may purchase admission for up to three guests at a 15 percent discount off regular admission prices, and will receive a coupon for the gift shop.