Buttonwood Park Zoo is your nature connection! Come visit one of the finest small zoos in the USA
Buttonwood Park Zoo's page is created and maintained by the Buttonwood Park Zoological Society.
09/13/2025
That feeling when the First Taste of Fall finally arrives!
The Zoo is closed today as we prepare for our First Taste of Fall event this afternoon. Starting at 3pm for VIP, 4:00 pm for General Admission, enjoy samples from more than 30 breweries, cocktails, wines, and more!
We’re thrilled the weather is on our side, it’s going to be a perfect fall evening. Limited tickets remain, so grab yours at the door or secure your spot online now. Catch you all later today!
After a little trepidation, Jacob is warming up to his new perching upgrades, exploring, climbing, and showing off his red panda skills.
Join us this Sunday, September 14, from 11:00 am–2:00 pm as we celebrate Red Pandas! Enjoy activity tables, face painting, and special red panda encounters at 12:00 and 1:00 pm. Plus, don’t miss our raffle supporting red panda conservation.
🎉 This event is free with Zoo admission, we can’t wait to see you there!
09/09/2025
Thanks for visiting the Zoo, One SouthCoast!
We were proud to host the Chamber’s networking breakfast today with more than 40 community business leaders. We had so much fun!
Looking for a unique space for your next gathering? We’re here for you!
09/08/2025
We’re approaching the final few shows of Toe Jam Puppet Band!
This fall catch two Toe Jam Puppet Band performances at 10:00 am and 11:30am during these Mondays in September:
September 8
September 15
September 22
September 29
Sometimes the smallest moments make the biggest memories.
This quiet connection between a guest and Dani, our river otter is pure magic.
What’s your "WOW" BPZOO moment?
09/06/2025
We’ve made great progress on Jacob’s habitat upgrade, but Jacob’s still deciding if he’s ready to test out his new perching. While he’s been a little reluctant to climb, he’s in wonderful spirits and keeping a close eye on the changes!
On Sunday, Sept 14th we’re celebrating our red panda, Jacob! From 11am-2pm, learn all about Jacob and his species.
Look who moved in at our Animal Ambassador Center!
Rico, our green aracari, who’s settling nicely into his new home at the Center.
One of the questions we hear most often is: “When is the Animal Ambassador Center opening?”
We still have a bit of work ahead, but we’re aiming to open this October.
Stay tuned for more updates, we can’t wait to welcome you inside!
09/03/2025
This monarch butterfly has quite the story to tell!
Recently, we spotted it fluttering through our pollinator garden, and if you look closely, you’ll see it’s wearing a very special tag on its wing. That tag originated in Nottingham, New Hampshire, more than 130 miles away!
This little traveler is most likely on its fall migration south, making a pit stop in New Bedford for a snack before continuing its incredible journey all the way to Mexico for the winter.
The tag is part of a research project that sends out more than 300,000 tags each year. Volunteers gently apply the stickers to monarchs as part of a mark and recapture program, which helps scientists learn more about migration patterns. Most tags are recovered after the butterflies have passed, either here in the U.S. or in Mexico, giving researchers valuable data about their long-distance travels.
We may even learn more about this exact butterfly when the database is updated in spring 2026. For now, we’re just grateful it chose to pause at BPZOO on its remarkable journey!
09/02/2025
We’re so grateful to our community for helping bring Charlie’s Nature Play back to life. At the entrance, we’re creating a Legacy Brick Pathway, and when we first launched the campaign, the response was overwhelming. More than 200 bricks were purchased, each one leaving a lasting mark at the Zoo.
After hearing from so many who wished they hadn’t missed out, we’re reopening brick orders to give everyone the chance to be part of this lasting community legacy.
Orders are open now, with installation beginning later this month. We can’t wait to see this special pathway come to life!
Our newly renovated outdoor play area is ready for adventurers! Explore the sandbox, mud kitchen, pebble harp, wooden building blocks, animal encounter space, and so much more, all designed to spark creativity and connect kids with nature.
A special thank you to the Winterhalter Family for helping us create a space where the next generation of children can play, explore, and grow.
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As the 12th oldest Zoo in the country, the Buttonwood Park Zoo has delighted and enlightened millions of visitors over its more than a century existence. We are dedicated to preserving the future of wildlife by creating engaging and educational experiences that connect the community to the natural world.
The Buttonwood Park Zoo has proudly been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 2003. We are one of only 236 accredited zoos and aquariums across the United States. In order to be accredited, the Zoo undergoes a rigorous inspection by a team of zoological professionals. During this inspection, which occurs every five years, a detailed assessment and review of all aspects of the institutions’ operations occurs in the following categories: animal collection, animal welfare, animal management, veterinary care, governing authority, staff, support organization, finances, physical facilities, safety and security, guest services and our involvement in education, conservation and research. Our accreditation is your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things.
The Buttonwood Park Zoo is a local treasure in the community that not only serves to create long-lasting memories, but has become a conservation-based center focused on preserving important species and the habitats they call home. We are open year-round with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Stop in for a visit and see why we are the most visited attraction in the SouthCoast.
Buttonwood Park Zoo's page is created and maintained by the Buttonwood Park Zoological Society.
The Buttonwood Park Zoological Society is partially funded by the Mass Cultural Council.
