New Bedford’s Buttonwood Park Zoo Closing to Keep the Animals Cool

New Bedford's Buttonwood Park Zoo is closing Tuesday to keep its animals and potential visitors safe from the high temperatures.

A heat advisory tomorrow has weather forecasters telling us it could feel like we are sizzling in over 100-degree heat. Some crazy people around here are going to love that, me included, but not everyone does. That includes many of our beloved animals at the Buttonwood Park Zoo.

While the zoo may be closed, the animal care staff has a plan to keep the animals cool with what it is calling "a variety of ice-enriched activities."

The zoo shared the closure news with everyone on social media.

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Closing the zoo Tuesday also makes sense for those of us that want to visit. All the habitats at the zoo are designed to give the animals the choice to remain in shaded areas, meaning most of the animals will be hiding out of our view anyway.

Mud wallows are one of the many ways they keep the animals cool, but I secretly hope they catch some of the animals playing in mud and post to the zoo's socials so we can live vicariously through those animals – since playing in the mud as an adult is frowned upon.

That reminds me, what are you doing to keep your animals safe tomorrow? A reminder,  hot pavement hurts your four-legged friends' paws.

Also, for us humans, the City of New Bedford has taken action in ensuring all its residents can get relief from the extreme heat including opening its libraries as cooling centers and ensuring the city parks have splash pads operational. Everything you need to know on those efforts is on the City website.

Stay safe, stay cool and stay hydrated.