To celebrate the opening of the new Andean bear habitat, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo has proclaimed that this spring and summer’s theme is “Be Bear Aware!” The Zoo has planned a number of events that focus on educating the public and Zoo guests about bears, including the Zoo’s new Andean bear, and the black bears that can increasingly be found throughout the state.
Guests can register for any of the events at https://www.beardsleyzoo.org/calendar.html
The “Be Bear Aware “events include:
May 10, Be Bear Aware Panel, 7:00-8:30 pm., Carousel Building
The Zoo has assembled a cadre of bear experts to answer all your questions on living safely with black bears, and more! This very informative evening will address concerns about wild bears, share information on what bears are really like, what they need, and discuss how we can help to promote bear conservation and habitat protection. Plus, learn about our new Andean bear habitat opening in just 10 days. Free, but we ask that guests register in advance.
May 17, Evening Lecture Series: The Bear Reality, 7 p.m.
Bears have become victims of misunderstandings, fueled by media, literature, and word of mouth. The population of black bears has increased in Connecticut over the last four decades and will continue to grow. This program will share information on the American black bear, the state’s only resident species in the wild, to improve our understanding and tolerance and reduce conflicts with our wild bear neighbors. The lecture will be presented via Zoom and in person. The cost is $10 for each lecture, with light refreshments provided. Sponsored by the Zoo’s Volunteer Council. Volunteers are free.
May 20, Grand Opening Andean Bear Habitat, 11:00 a.m.
Help us celebrate the Grand Opening of our newest habitat for Andean bears! We’ll bring the refreshments and beverages along with special presentations on these beautiful and endangered South American bears, returning to the Zoo after an absence of several years. This large and beautiful habitat for the arboreal (tree-climbing) bears features a very special guest viewing area. Zoo Educators will be on hand from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with exciting information about these “spectacled” bears. The first 100 guests to arrive will receive an Andean bear water bottle!
June 17, Paw through Books on Bears to Find Hidden Prizes
On Saturday, June 17, children and their families are invited to participating libraries to search through books on bears, both fiction and non-fiction, in the children’s books departments. The Zoo has teamed up with 25 libraries in 17 towns to help put the “bear” in Bear-dsley Zoo, while supporting literacy and reading. To celebrate the opening of the Zoo’s new Andean bear habitat and a spring and summer of “Be Bear Aware,” the Zoo is sponsoring 500 prizes; children are invited to paw through books on bears to find the prizes on Saturday, June 17. (Monroe will hold their event on Friday, June 16).
Libraries participating in the Zoo’s third “Wild About Reading” contest are in the following towns: Ansonia, Beacon Falls, all six library branches in Bridgeport, Cheshire, Danbury, Derby, Easton, two branches in Fairfield, Hamden, Milford, Monroe, New Canaan, Newtown, Seymour, branch 41 in Shelton, Stratford and Trumbull.
July 15, Teddy Bear Clinic
Children are invited to bring their favorite teddy bear, or any special pal, to Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo on Saturday, July 15 from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This “beary” fun day will feature children’s activities and storytelling focusing on bear awareness. Plus, bring your teddy bear to the “Teddy Bear Clinic” and get a free health checkup for your friend. The Teddy Bear Clinic will include story time and the opportunity to ask all your bear questions to our bear experts. Teddy Bear Clinic is free with paid admission to the Zoo.
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