The Zoo In Forest Park

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The Zoo In Forest Park
Map
Date opened1894
LocationSpringfield, Massachusetts, USA
Land area4 acres (1.6 ha)
No. of animals200+ (2020)
Annual visitors55,000 (2018)
MembershipsZoological Association of America (ZAA)
Websitehttps://www.forestparkzoo.org

The Zoo In Forest Park and Education Center, also known as the Forest Park Zoo, is a nonprofit zoo situated in Forest Park, Springfield, Massachusetts. It spans an area of four acres and is home to a variety of exotic, native, and endangered species.

History[edit]

The Zoo in Forest Park opened in 1894, and was initially run by the city's Parks Department.[1] Animals at the zoo in its first decade included badgers, a bald eagle, bears, a Brazilian marmoset, boars, a buffalo, cockatoos, deer, doves, finches, Java pigeons, a pair of Indian leopards, lions (named Caesar and Calpurnia),[2] lynxes, macaws, monkeys, an ostrich, prairie dogs, a rabbit, red-faced apes, timber wolves, toucans, waterfowl, and a wildcat.[3][4][5][6][7] Domestic animals included cattle, horses, sheep, and Angora goats.[7] Many of the animals were purchased from the animal show market of Coney Island, although some were donated.[8]

It was not until 1923 that the zoo began systematically labeling animals with their species, name, and origin.[8]

For thirty years,[9] the zoo was curated by Theodor Robert Geisel, father of famous author and illustrator Theodor Seuss Geisel.[1] While working at the zoo, the elder Geisel occasionally gave his son antlers, beaks, and horns from deceased zoo animals, which Seuss would purpose for a rogue taxidermy art collection he titled Unorthodox Taxidermy.[10] The zoo also inspired Seuss's acclaimed children's book If I Ran the Zoo (1950).[1]

During World War II the zoo replaced the standard beef given to carnivores with horse meat.[11][12] The smaller animals were fed grain, acorns, and stale bread along with their standard vegetables.[12]

Well-known animals over the years included Jiggs the chimpanzee (until 1967), Snowball the polar bear (1951-1979), and Morganetta the elephant (1965-1980).[13][14] Both Jiggs and Snowball were taxidermied and donated to the Springfield Science Museum.[15][16]

The zoo faced financial difficulties in the 1970s, leading to many of the animals being sold off.[14] In 1976 the zoo received negative media attention as the result of their inclusion in a book titled Living Trophies: A Shocking Look at the Conditions in America's Zoos.[17] In 1979 a proposal for a new $2.7 million zoo was unveiled, but it received little public support. In 1980 the Springfield Parks Commission officially voted against the proposal.[17]

In early 1982 the zoo was officially demolished in the name of aesthetic improvements.[18] However, a zoo did remain in Forest Park: the James P. Heady Kiddieland Zoo, a petting zoo, which was relocated to elsewhere in the park.[17] After the closing and demolition of the original Forest Park Zoo, the Kiddieland Zoo was often referred to as the Forest Park Zoo. It was eventually expanded, and in 1986 the zoo received a $1 million grant from the Massachusetts government for the redevelopment and relocation of the zoo.[19]

In June 2016 one of the zoo's guenon monkeys, Dizzy, escaped his enclosure and made his way into Forest Park.[20] He was re-captured several days later.[21]

The zoo temporarily closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but was able to re-open with restrictions in June 2020.[22]

In 2023 one of the zoo's screech owls, Clint Screechwood, won BonusFinder.com's 'Superb Owl' contest, which came with a $5000 prize for the zoo.[23][24]

Operations[edit]

The zoo operates from late March until early November.[25][26]

During the hottest days of summer, some animals are kept inside, with the floors of their enclosures kept free of hay, and staff provide animals with ice.[27]

Programs[edit]

Adopt an Animal[edit]

The Zoo offers the opportunity to become closer to the animals by 'adopting them': assisting in supporting the cost of their food and care. Any individual or group can adopt an animal. Most animals are adopted by more than one person or group.

The program launched in 1989 as a way to raise money for animals' food and veterinary care.[28]

Animals[edit]

Most of the animals at the zoo (~85%) are unable to be released in the wild due to injury, illness, or familiarity with humans.[1]

Animals that currently reside at the Zoo In Forest Park and Education Center include:[29]

Species that previously resided at the zoo include:

Events[edit]

Brew at the Zoo[edit]

Brew at the Zoo is an annual fundraiser featuring local breweries, held since 2017.[43][44]

Eggstravaganza[edit]

Eggstravaganza is the zoo's annual Easter event, held the Saturday before Easter.[45]

Spooky Safari[edit]

Spooky Safari is the zoo's annual Halloween event. Stations are set up within the zoo for trick-or-treating, and additional activities like crafts and face painting are also offered.[46] This event is the successor to "Halloween Happening", which first occurred in 1988.[47]

Wine Safari[edit]

Wine Safari is an annual fundraiser event held since 2018, where guests taste test different wines and are able to meet animals from the regions where the different wines are produced.[48][49]

Awards[edit]

See also[edit]

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Kinney, Jim (2019-01-25). "The Zoo in Forest Park preps for 125th anniversary season; promises three new exhibits including eagles". masslive. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  2. ^ "Calpurnia, Queen of Forest Park Zoo, Passes on to Happy Hunting Ground". Springfield Republican. 17 January 1922. p. 4. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  3. ^ "Springfield". Springfield Republican. 28 November 1886. p. 8. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Bald Eagle Presented to Co H". Springfield Republican. 2 May 1913. p. 3. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Additions to Park Zoo". Springfield Republican. 15 June 1912. p. 9. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  6. ^ "Mike and Tou-Tou Jealous: Rivals Arrive at the Park". Springfield Republican. 26 May 1914. p. 6. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Park's Happy Family". Springfield Republican. 21 June 1914. p. 23. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Animals at Forest Park Zoo to be Properly Labeled". Springfield Republican. 28 January 1923. p. 8. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Schulman, Janet; Goldsmith, Cathy; Geisel, Theodor Seuss (2004). Your Favorite Seuss (1st ed.). Random House. p. 83. ISBN 0-375-81061-7. Not only did Ted Geisel draw animals that were, well, a bit different, he also created sculptures that combine elements from real animals with elements from his fertile imagination. His father, who actually ran the zoo in Springfield, Massachusetts, for thirty years, suplied him with the elk antlers (top left), the gazelle (top right) and African antelope (bottom right) horns, the toucan beak, and the rhinoceros horn transformed into a unicorn that you see here.
  10. ^ Lunden, Jeff (November 17, 2016). "Before His Name Was Known At All, Seuss Put Creatures On The Wall". NPR. Retrieved August 29, 2023. In the mid-1930s, Theodor Geisel was a fledgling author and artist, working as an illustrator for New York ad agencies. His father, superintendent of parks in Springfield, Mass., occasionally sent him antlers, bills and horns from deceased zoo animals. Geisel kept them in a box under his bed and used them to create whimsical sculptures.
  11. ^ "No Meat Shortage at Forest Park Zoo". Springfield Republican. 11 July 1943. p. 10. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  12. ^ a b Taylor, Miriam (17 October 1943). "Animals at Forest Park Zoo Thrive on Changed Diet Due to Wartime Rations". Springfield Republican. p. 42. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d Goonan, Peter (2016-07-01). "The Zoo in Forest Park: A happy ending for escapee Dizzy brings back sad memories of Snowball, Morganetta and Jiggs". masslive. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  14. ^ a b Osterman, Elsie (19 June 1990). "Forest Park remains a gathering place, a slice of country". Springfield Republican. pp. A8. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  15. ^ "African". Springfield Union. 1 February 1981. pp. F-6 – via Readex: America's Historical Newspapers.
  16. ^ Siteman, Linda (17 December 1980). "Snowball: From cantankerous to cuddly". Springfield Union. p. 3 – via Readex: America's Historical Newspapers.
  17. ^ a b c Filosi, Penny (11 February 1982). "Requiem for Forest Park Zoo - only the memories remain". Springfield Union. p. 17 – via Readex: America's Historical Newspapers.
  18. ^ "Zoo demolition set". Springfield Union. 9 January 1982. p. 9 – via Readex: America's Historical Newspapers.
  19. ^ Briere, Glenn A. (5 February 1986). "Grant gives $1 million to zoo". Springfield Union. p. 3 – via Readex: America's Historical Newspapers.
  20. ^ "A Zoo in Massachusetts Can't Seem to Find Its Missing Monkey". Time. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  21. ^ DeForge, Jeanette (2016-06-26). "Dizzy the Monkey captivated Springfield's attention after escaping: What people were Tweeting". masslive. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  22. ^ "Zoo in Forest Park re-opens with certain restrictions". WWLP. 2020-06-08. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  23. ^ Rotondo, Irene (2023-02-13). "Superb Owl winner from Springfield Forest Park Zoo is the 'best owl in country'". MassLive. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  24. ^ DeGray, Nick (2023-02-13). "Clint Screechwood, one-eyed owl from Forest Park Zoo, named Superb Owl 2023 winner". WWLP. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  25. ^ Hickey, Olivia (26 March 2022). "Visitors head to The Zoo in Forest Park for opening day". Western Mass News. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  26. ^ "THE ZOO IS CLOSED FOR WINTER". www.forestparkzoo.org. 4 November 2019. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  27. ^ Flynn, Anne-Gerard (2010-07-08). "Wallaby or cow, rabbit or emu, zoo and farm animals get hot too". masslive. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  28. ^ Pugh, Susannah (19 February 1991). "Zoo offers cut rate on love - Animal-adoption prices drop". The Republican. p. 14. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  29. ^ "Exhibits". www.forestparkzoo.org. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  30. ^ Dobbs, G. Michael (2019-04-11). "Zoo in Forest Park welcomes bald eagles, 'Jack' and 'Eva'". Reminder Publications. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  31. ^ "Meet Arrow, the blue-tongued skink, from the Zoo in Forest Park". WWLP. 2022-07-13. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  32. ^ "Meet the new animal at the Zoo in Forest Park that will by named after Danny". WWLP. 2019-12-26. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  33. ^ "Meet a family of corn snakes and hear about The Zoo in Forest Park's discount days". WWLP. 2019-09-04. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  34. ^ "Meet the fennec fox and check out these unique gift ideas". WWLP. 2020-12-16. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  35. ^ WWLP-22News (11 May 2019). "New exhibit at Forest Park Zoo features 3-year-old grey fox 'Gandalf'". YouTube. Retrieved 30 January 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  36. ^ "Meet Cheese, the leghorn rooster, at the Zoo in Forest Park". WWLP. 2022-12-14. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  37. ^ "Meet Forest Park's cutest porcupine". WWLP. 2016-09-01. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  38. ^ Goonan, Peter (2018-07-11). "New 'cats' added as the latest residents at Springfield's Zoo in Forest Park (photos, video)". masslive. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  39. ^ "Zoo in Forest Park gets ready for Easter". WWLP. 2018-03-08. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  40. ^ "Ally the armadillo". WWLP. 2018-06-21. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  41. ^ "The Zoo in Forest Park: Meet Blue Ivy the gecko". WWLP. 2022-04-13. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  42. ^ "Meet Blossom the opossum and learn about the Zoo in Forest Park's upcoming events". WWLP. 2021-11-10. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  43. ^ Goonan, Peter (2017-08-24). "More than 250 expected at first ever 'Brew at the Zoo' fundraiser tonight at Springfield's Forest Park". masslive. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  44. ^ "Brew at the Zoo returns to Forest Park". WWLP. 2022-08-06. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  45. ^ Landaverde, Briceyda; O'Connor, Samantha (16 April 2022). "Zoo in Forest Park celebrates Easter with return of Eggstravaganza". Western Mass News. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  46. ^ Burnell, Kristin; Trowbridge, Ryan. "Zoo in Forest Park in Springfield hosts 'Spooky Safari'". Western Mass News. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
  47. ^ Stephenson, Denise (30 October 1989). "Forest Park Zoo hosts costumed tots". Springfield Republican. p. 11. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  48. ^ "Zoo in Forest Park hosts first ever Wine Safari event". WWLP. 2018-03-30. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  49. ^ "Zoo in Forest Park holds third-annual "Wine-Safari"". WWLP. 2019-04-26. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  50. ^ a b "Forest Park Zoo receives second national award for education programming". www.forestparkzoo.org. 24 January 2022. Retrieved 2023-01-31.
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