For the benefit of our animals, our guests, and yourself, please follow the guidelines and policies below. By reading over and practicing these tips, you are doing your part to ensure that all guests and animals have a happy and healthy day at the Zoo.
- Please avoid loud noises and shouting. Animals have feelings, too. Please do not tap or bang on exhibit glass.
- Chasing the guinea fowl and other free roaming birds is not permitted.
- Keep all objects out of the animals’ habitat. Please do not throw or toss rocks, trash or other articles into exhibit areas. Animals may eat the indigestible articles causing them harm or death. If an item falls into an exhibit, please contact a Zoo staff member.
- Food and drinks are not allowed inside of any Zoo buildings. The same applies to smoking. Smoking is permitted in posted areas only.
- For the safety of both humans and animals, please remember no guest shall go over, under, between or otherwise cross any guardrail, fence, moat, wall or other safety barrier. It is unsafe to sit on, stand on or hold children over such barriers.
- Zoo animals have specialized diets. All of our animals get room service. Our keepers prepare special meals for each of our animals. People food is not on their menu, so please do not share your food with them.
- Please help with our conservation efforts by disposing of your plastic, glass and aluminum in the appropriate recycling receptacles.
- There are many growing things throughout our Zoo. Help us keep them alive for all to enjoy by not climbing the trees, picking flowers, or disturbing the landscape.
- Running, shoving, or climbing of rocks and trees is not permitted at the Zoo.
- Bikes, roller skates, roller blades, skateboards, scooters are not permitted.
- For the welfare of our animals, no pets are permitted in the Zoo.
- For the safety and welfare of all animals, Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo does not permit pets or other animals to be left in vehicles or tethered during the stay of our guests. This applies to all animals in vehicles (locked, unlocked, idling, non-idling, with heat or air conditioning) regardless of the duration of stay. Please help us to keep all animals safe.
- Please listen to and follow instructions of staff.
- Most importantly, learn about our incredible animals and HAVE FUN!
Service Dog Policy
Service animals are limited to dogs that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, this does not include pets or emotional support animals.
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo welcomes trained service dogs. We pride ourselves on providing broad access by service animals throughout our park, but because sensitivities can vary with our animals, guests with service dogs are encouraged to check with Guest Services on the day of visit to determine if access to any Zoo area is restricted on that day.
It does not include pets or emotional support animals. Service dogs must always remain harnessed or leashed. If these devices interfere with the service dog’s work or the guest’s disability prevents them from using these devices, then the service dogs must be under the guest’s complete control. Due to the nature of our facility and for the safety of our guests, staff and animals, CBZ requires guests with service dogs to avoid the area between our tiger and leopard habitats. Guests are otherwise invited to explore the Zoo with their service dog.
For the safety and welfare of all animals, Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo does not permit pets or other animals to be left in vehicles or tethered during the stay of our guests. This applies to all animals in vehicles (locked, unlocked, idling, non-idling, with heat or air conditioning) regardless of the duration of stay. Please help us to keep all animals safe.
*Guests are responsible for the clean-up and for controlling their service animal’s behavior.
**Guests will be asked to remove service animals if these guidelines are not followed.
