The Zoo in Forest Park

About The Zoo in Forest Park

The Zoo in Forest Park & Education Center is at 293 Sumner Ave in Springfield, Massachusetts, inside Forest Park. According to its website, it is home to more than 225 animal residents representing a large variety of species. Sarah Tsitso is listed as executive director on the zoo's website.

The zoo's about page states its mission as inspiring the community to respect and value the natural world through education, conservation and rehabilitation. It is governed by the Forest Park Zoological Society, a nonprofit organization, and its website displays the logos of the Zoological Association of America and Species360. It is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Wikipedia describes the site as 4 acres.

The zoo's animals page says many of its residents have been deemed non-releasable to the wild by a wildlife rehabilitator because of injury, illness, permanent disability or other factors. The about page says the zoo works with wildlife rehabilitators across the United States to care for such animals, and that by giving them a permanent home it aims to educate guests about the species around them and hopes they will become wildlife advocates.

History

According to the zoo's about page, it was founded in the late 1800s. Wikipedia gives 1894 as its opening year and says it was initially run by Springfield's Parks Department. Wikipedia lists animals from the zoo's first decade including bears, a bald eagle, lions, monkeys, an ostrich and timber wolves, and says many came from the animal show market of Coney Island while some were donated.

Wikipedia states that Theodor Geisel Sr., the father of Dr. Seuss, served as the zoo's curator for three decades, and that the zoo is associated with the 1950 children's book If I Ran the Zoo. It also records that during World War II the zoo substituted horse meat for beef to feed its carnivores.

Wikipedia describes financial difficulties in the 1970s that led to animal sales, a 1979 proposal for a new zoo that received little public support, a 1980 vote by the Springfield Parks Commission against it, and the demolition of the original zoo in early 1982. After that, a petting zoo, the James P. Heady Kiddieland Zoo, was relocated elsewhere in Forest Park, and in 1986 the project received a state grant for redevelopment and relocation. Wikipedia says the zoo temporarily closed during COVID-19 and reopened with restrictions in June 2020. It also says the zoo received the Zoological Association of America's Educational Award of Excellence in 2021 and 2022.

Exhibits and habitats

The zoo's animals page lists its residents alphabetically. Mammals named there include alpaca, American beaver, Bactrian camel, Bennett's wallaby, American bison, black-handed spider monkey, bobcat, capybara, coyote, fennec fox, gray fox, groundhog, North American porcupine, raccoon, ring-tailed lemur, serval, striped skunk, timber wolf and Virginia opossum, along with miniature horses, miniature donkeys, Jacob sheep and other domestic animals.

Birds named there include African grey parrot, bald eagle, emu, several macaw species, Moluccan, sulphur-crested and umbrella cockatoos, Indian peafowl, red-tailed hawk and screech owl. Reptiles and amphibians named there include American alligator, ball python, bearded dragon, corn snake, green iguana, leopard gecko, reticulated python, sulcata tortoise, several turtle species and White's tree frog. The page also lists a Brazilian salmon pink bird-eating tarantula and Madagascar hissing cockroach.

The zoo's visit page says all animals have both outdoor and indoor, covered space. Wikipedia says that during the hottest days some animals are kept indoors and staff provide ice.

Conservation and programs

The zoo lists education programs including Kids Go Wild, Wildlife on Wheels, Zoo Camp, Zoo School and field trips, plus Counselor-in-Training, Keeper-in-Training and Keeper Internship programs. It also lists encounters and experiences, zoo parties, membership and an Adopt an Animal program. Wikipedia says the adoption program began in 1989 and helps support the cost of food and veterinary care.

Annual events listed on the zoo's website include Eggstravaganza, Wine Safari, Brew at the Zoo and Spooky Safari. Wikipedia describes Spooky Safari as the successor to a Halloween event first held in 1988, with trick-or-treating stations, crafts and face painting, and describes Brew at the Zoo and Wine Safari as fundraisers. The visit page notes that special closures occur for events such as Spooky Safari.

Planning your visit

As listed on the zoo's website, hours are seasonal and weather permitting, with weekend-only operation in the fall and last admission at 3:30 p.m. Wikipedia describes an operating season from late March through early November. Check the zoo's website for the current schedule and ticket details.

The visit page says pets are not allowed, though service animals are permitted, and that outside food is not allowed inside the zoo for the safety of the animals. Only authorized grain cones may be fed to hoofstock. The zoo does not sell food, and picnic tables are in the surrounding park outside the zoo. Parking is managed by the City of Springfield rather than the zoo, is not included with admission, and is cash only, free for vehicles with a handicap placard. The zoo accepts cash, debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Cash App.