A lot of us take for granted our tiny little zoo in the heart of New Bedford but for people who are new to the Southcoast, having a zoo so close to home is a really awesome thing! 

Here are some fun facts about Buttonwood Park Zoo that you may not have realized to be true:

  1. Buttonwood Park Zoo was designed with the help of famous American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, the man who also designed world renown Central Park in New York City.
  2. Two of animals currently at the zoo (Emily the Elephant and Yellow the Seal) have been at the since the 80’s. You've literally grown up with these animals and you probably didn't even realize it!
  3. A Buttonwood Park Zoo membership actually gives you year-round access to Buttonwood Park Zoo and Capron Park Zoo in Attleboro, home of red kangaroos, monkeys and even a white lion!
  4. The zoo houses over 200 animal species from around the world, including animals you’d find right on a traditional New England Farm and in the wild.
  5. The Buttonwood Park Zoo has provided many local residents with their first real-life experience with nature.  It was very likely the first time you’d ever seen an elephant in real life or saw a bear up-close.
  6. The American Zoo and Aquarium Association called Buttonwood Park Zoo "One of the finest small zoos in the United States".  How lucky are we to have it right here in New Bedford?
  7. The Buttonwood Park Zoological Society’s mission is to support the Buttonwood Park Zoo by creating experiences that allow people to explore and enjoy the natural world, including family events and fundraising activities like Zoo Nights, Red, White & Brew and Feast in the Wild.

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