Dear Zoo Supporters,
 There’s a Baby Boom happening at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo! This past April we welcomed four North American river otter pups. Our active and playful River Otters are always favorites among our guests and we look forward to watching the four pups grow together.

We are also happy to announce that a baby golden lion tamarin (GLT) was born to mother Cricket and father Leão last month. Born fully furred with its eyes open, the baby spent its first weeks clinging to its mother's or father’s back. This new baby is an important part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)’s Species Survival Plan (SSP), helping to preserve golden lion tamarins for future generations.

We are asking you to think of tomorrow today. Your support today can have a direct impact on the survival of species, such as the golden lion tamarin, for generations to come.

There are only about 2,500 golden lion tamarins remaining in the wild, and a third of those are descended from GLTs raised in human care. We’re proud of our contribution to the restoration of this species, with babies born here released in Brazil to help stabilize the population.​

​​Thanks to supporters like you, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo has played an important role in giving birth to many endangered, threatened, or vulnerable species over the years including Amur tiger cubs, maned wolf cubs, Amur leopard cubs, giant anteater pups, and guinea hog piglets. All species raised in human care in accredited zoos are important ambassadors, raising awareness of habitat protection and contributing to the survival of their species.

With your support, we can continue to achieve conservation milestones. Together, we can strive for a better world by creating connections, taking action, and saving wildlife.

We look forward to celebrating the new life that spring brings with you. Thank you for your continued support and being a part of our tomorrows. 

Gregg Dancho
Zoo Director
 
PS – We look forward to welcoming everyone back this summer to see our new Andean Bear and the return of “Sky hunters in Flight” bird show! ​

CONSERVATION SUCCESS!

A history of endangered, threatened, and critical species births at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

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2019

Critically endangered Amur leopard cubs born.

2017

• Golfodulcean poison dart frogs hatch for the first time at the Zoo.
• Rare maned wolf pups born.
• Critically endangered Amur tiger cubs born.​

2016

For the first time in Zoo history, a giant anteater pup is born. That pup has been followed by two more, in 2018 and 2021.

2014

• Four critically endangered red wolf pups are born.
• Six Guinea hog piglets are born.

2011

•  First Yacare caiman hatched.​
• First accredited Zoo in the northeast to welcome a Chacoan peccary piglet.  

2008

The Zoo welcomed the birth of eight Guinea hog piglets, an important contribution to this species.

2008
“Miracle kitten” born. For only the third time in history, an ocelot kitten was born via artificial insemination technology. He was dubbed the "miracle kitten" because of the long odds of success. AT this time there were only between 25 and 30 Brazilian ocelots in captivity in North America and the species has been on the endangered species list for approximately 25 years.  The American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) established its first Species Survival Plans (SSP) for small-field cats, including the ocelot, in 2001. 

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• 2006: Endangered golden lion tamarin born.
• 2001: White-faced saki monkey born.
• 1997: Pronghorn fawn born.
• 1996: Canada lynx born.
• 1990: Red wolf pups born.
• 1986: Greater rhea hatched.
• 1982: First Amur tiger birth at the Zoo.