 Bridgeport, CT – Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is hosting a celebration like no other: a first birthday party for its new resident, Ponya the red panda. The public is invited to help make Ponya’s birthday extra special by supporting a birthday-themed fundraiser to benefit her care and help raise awareness of the endangered species she represents.
Ponya recently arrived from the Detroit Zoo and has quickly become a guest favorite with her playful energy and captivating charm, but her story goes far beyond her adorable appearance. Red pandas are classified as Endangered, with fewer than 10,000 left in the wild due to habitat loss, poaching, and climate change. Every birth and animal transfer coordinated through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) plays a vital role in preserving the species. The zoo is inviting the community to take part in Ponya’s paw-ty by contributing to her care and enrichment through an impactful donation. Each gift directly supports her daily needs and enhances the quality of life for animals across the Zoo.  Bridgeport, CT – Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is excited to unveil its action-packed Summer 2025 Calendar, featuring a wild mix of thrilling events and hands-on educational programs running from June through September. As the days get warmer, the Zoo transforms into a lively hub of adventure where guests of all ages can connect with nature, discover incredible wildlife, and have a roaring good time!
June June 14: Join us June 16–22 for Pollinator Week as we celebrate nature’s tiny superheroes—bees, butterflies, bats, and beetles—that help grow the food we eat and the flowers we love. Visit on Saturday, June 14, to meet our educators and explore the Zoo’s thriving pollinator gardens, which provide vital habitat for native species. Discover how you can support pollinators at home and be part of the solution to protect these essential creatures. June 15: Celebrate Father’s Day with dad, grandpa, your fatherly figures or bring the whole family. June 18: Join an insightful Evening Lecture Series presented by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). Paul Benjunas, DEEP Outreach Wildlife Biologist will present some of the division's ongoing research efforts, dispel some common wildlife myths, and discuss how members of the public can help conserve CT’s wildlife! Click here to sign up! https://connecticutsbeardsleyzoo-bloom.kindful.com/e/june-evening-lecture-2025  Bridgeport, CT – (June 2, 2025) Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is excited to introduce new residents that are sure to captivate visitors - Chines Gorals, a rare and fascinating mountain species making their debut. Chinese Gorals are a species of small mountain ungulate native to Asia that have the characteristics or resemblances of a goat and antelope.
The male goral, age 7, comes from the Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City, Kansas along with his female companion, Madeline, from Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo Safari Park. The pair is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) and were brought to Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo with the goal of establishing a future breeding pair.  Bridgeport, CT (May 22, 2025) - Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is delighted to announce the arrival of Ponya, an 11-month-old female red panda from the Detroit Zoo. Ponya makes her public debut this week in the Natt Family Red Panda Habitat, a state-of-the-art exhibit complete with indoor and outdoor viewing areas, climbing structures, and temperature-controlled spaces throughout the seasons.
Ponya, born in 2024 at the Detroit Zoo, has been captivating visitors with her playful antics and inquisitive nature. Her move to Connecticut is part of a collaborative effort among AZA-accredited institutions to ensure the long-term survival of red pandas through carefully managed breeding programs. Later this month, Dorji, our male red panda, will be transferred to another AZA-accredited institution as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP). Dorji joined Beardsley Zoo in May 2024 from Utah's Hogle Zoo and has been a beloved resident, known for his sweet and curious demeanor. SMALL LOCAL BUSINESSES INVITED TO SHOWCASE PRODUCTS & GOODS  Bridgeport, CT – Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is calling all local makers, creatives, and small business superstars to the Community Corner for the 2025 season. Community Corner is a lively weekend pop-up on zoo grounds and the perfect place to showcase your products, share your story, and connect with thousands of zoo visitors from Memorial Day through Labor Day, every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 3pm.
Community Corner is designed to bring the vibrant spirit of farmer's markets and vendor fairs to the heart of the zoo, providing a pop-up shop space available for rent. This initiative not only supports local businesses but also enhances the zoo experience, offering guests a chance to explore and purchase unique products in a charming farmstand setting. |
ContactConnecticut’s Beardsley Zoo appreciates the support it receives from local, regional and national media outlets. Media representatives are invited to tour Archives
June 2025
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Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is dedicated to acquainting a diverse public to the delicate balance that exists between living things and their environment.
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is a 501(c)(3) not for profit owned and operated by the Connecticut Zoological Society.
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is a 501(c)(3) not for profit owned and operated by the Connecticut Zoological Society.
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