“Beardsley Bart,” Connecticut’s Prognosticating Prairie Dog, Offers His Weather Prediction Feb 2 at 7:03 a.m.

BRIDGEPORT, Connecticut – January 30, 2023- Who needs Punxsutawney Phil when you have ‘Beardsley Bart?’ Beardsley Bart, Connecticut’s own Prognosticating Prairie Dog, will be making a sunrise appearance on Groundhog’s Day to share his weather forecast on Thursday, Feb. 2. Bart’s closest confidant and Prairie Dog Interpreter Gregg Dancho, director of Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, will translate for Bart when the sun rises at 7:03 a.m. 
 
“Beardsley Bart is a very early riser and an eternal optimist,” explains Dancho. “He’s happy to greet the day and share his infallible predictions on the arrival of spring.”
 
Dancho will be on hand for interviews and photos on Thursday, Feb. 2 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.  at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave in Bridgeport. He can be found at the prairie dog “pop up” exhibit, where he will be watching for Beardsley Bart to pop up.

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About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo
Let Your Curiosity Run Wild! Connecticut’s only zoo, celebrating its 101st year, features 350 animals representing primarily North and South American and Northern Asian species. Guests won’t want to miss our Amur tiger and leopards, maned wolves, and Mexican gray wolves and red wolf. Other highlights include our Spider Monkey Habitat, the prairie dog exhibit, and the Pampas Plain with giant anteaters and Chacoan peccaries. Guests can grab a bite from the Peacock Café and eat in the Picnic Grove.  As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and participant in its Species Survival Plan (SSP) programs, the non-profit Zoo is committed to the preservation of endangered animals and strategies that will protect species and preserve their wild habitats. Tickets must be purchased on the Zoo’s website at beardsleyzoo.org. ​