Guest Blog by Kelsey Sanders
It has been a very big year at the Buttonwood Park Zoo. Weâve expanded our volunteer program, launched new outreach and education initiatives, and broken ground on construction projects to expand and improve the work we do in New Bedford and beyond. Our community and our impact continue to grow.
On May 4, 2024, our zoo family grew by two kittens. They are the first successful litter for Canada Lynx pair Sylvie and Hutch. Canada Lynx are protected as a threatened species in the United States under the Endangered Species Act. They inhabit boreal forests and are carefully monitored due to low population numbers and inadequate protection of viable habitat on federal lands. Sylvie and Hutch both moved to the Buttonwood Park ZooâSylvie from the Toronto Biodome and Hutch by way of Stone Zooâas part of a Species Survival Plan (SSP) Program, a management plan overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Both were born in human care as part of greater efforts to conserve their species, and their two kittens will do the same.
Every animal has a story, one that we are all a part of. While many of our residents participate in SSPs and were born in human care, others have been rescued. Our beloved Bobcats, Max and Mayzie, and Cougar, Riley, were all orphaned as cubs before being brought into human care. They are ambassadors for their species and raise awareness of their changing native landscape. North American felids are at risk; they face threats like habitat loss, hunting, trafficking, and illegal private ownership.
When you visit BPZOO you become an active contributor in our growing efforts to protect wildlife. Your patronage helps us raise money for work in the field and helps us continue to provide ever-improving high quality care for our animals. While youâre here you form connections, learn new things, and take part in raising awareness for conservation. Well beyond your visit, you take with you the knowledge and compassion to make a difference for these animals.
Help us continue to help cats (and other species) by joining us this Saturday, August 10th, for our first Cat Dayâor âcat-urdayâ if youâre so inclined. Rain or shine we will have onsite activities highlighting felids from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The festivities include face painting, a one-of-a-kind raffle raising money for cat conservation, educational games, and special keeper chats. While we revel in celebrating the cats who call BPZOO home, weâll also come away learning about their natural history, their threats, and ways to help. When we learn from animals we learn about ourselves, most notably about the person we want to be in a world far bigger than any single one of us.
Kelsey Sanders is an Education Specialist at BPZOO who spearheads a variety of conservation awareness days such as International Cat Day, Coral Reef Awareness Day, and Be Kind to Bugs Day. She has a degree in Ecology from Rice University where she did her thesis on coral reef microbiology.Â