The prairie dogs at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport.
Who needs Punxsutawney Phil when you have Beardsley Bart? Bridgeport’s own prognosticating prairie dog came out early Saturday morning on Groundhog Day to share his weather forecast with a small gathering of friends.
Gregg Dancho, director of Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, served as Bart’s interpreter. “Beardsley Bart is a very early riser and when he came out this morning, he confirmed that he did not see his shadow,” Dancho said. “He’s happy to report spring is just around the corner and he looks forward to all his friends coming to visit him soon.”
About the state’s only zoo
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is open year-round, seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult admission (ages 12 older) is $12, children (ages 3-11) and senior admission (62 and older) is $10, and children under age 3 are free. Zoo parking is free.
The state’s only zoo features 300 animals, representing primarily North and South American species. Visitors can see Amur (Siberian) tigers, Brazilian ocelot, red wolves, golden lion tamarins, and a prairie dog exhibit with “pop-up” viewing areas. There is a South American rainforest with free-flight aviary; a New England farmyard with goats, cows, pigs and sheep; and a hoofstock trail with bison, pronghorn and deer. Find out more at beardsleyzoo.org.
