I brought my 6 and 7 year Olds here. It was raining that day but still had a good time. It really is a sweet sweet place to go. The small train ride was a nice way to see the park. The carousel is beautiful. The zoo is quite small and it takes about a good 40 minutes or less to see everything. The elephants are beautiful. The gift shop has a nice assortment of goods from cute and cuddly plushies to educational toys. Staff was very nice.
Nothing very interesting or exciting here. They talk all the time about expanding while they can't really take care of the property they have now.
Tiny little elephant exhibit with two very old elephants who can barely move around--and not just because the exhibit is sooo small. They are lame from just standing around. Elephants need more space. The keepers don't talk about letting the elephants go to a Sanctuary--too bad. Instead people just go and stare at the elephants for a couple minutes, and don't really learn about elephants' natural environment.Also, the cougar is very thin, and constantly pacing and panting. There's no water dispenser for him, and his back abdomen looks like there's something wrong with him. They just got him a couple years ago, but he's walking slow, too. The lynx was nowhere to be found, and he's been alone for years. Mammals, especially cats, need a companion.The aquatic center has an exhibit that's been closed for so long (a year?), it now has a curtain up around it. And they have two poor little scared screech owls that never get to see the night sky. Only one was visible today, hope the other one was okay.If you go, tell them to retire the elephants to a Sanctuary and to fix up the exhibits so that all of the animals have a steady supply of fresh water and adequate room.
My father is an amateur zoologist, so I grew up visiting different zoos across the country throughout my childhood. It is still a favorite pastime!While the Buttonwood Park zoo is small, it is a fun visit with children. In addition to otters, seals, and beavers, a visitor will see a Lynx, Bobcat, Cougar, American Eagle, Black Bears, reptiles and fish, and more. There is an exhibit on protecting our natural environment that was well done. In the back of the exhibit you will see horses, goats, sheep, chickens, and pigs. This might be the only opportunity to see these animals for some kids.I've read reviews about the treatment of the elephants at the Zoo, but I have also heard conflicting information on whether or not the animals are actually in danger. The people who wish to see them moved are NOT animal experts. The elephants have been at the zoo for a long time, and have bonded with the site and their caretakers. Moving them would be very traumatic for the elderly elephant. Numerous zoologists have recommended that the elephants stay in New Bedford. I'm not an expert, but their arguments make sense.In the meantime, on the day we visited the elephant exhibit was clean and the elephants appeared to be healthy. The kids loved seeing these majestic creatures!
Small and very affordable. Obviously well loved by it's community. Great variety of animals. They were in full Halloween glory with Zoo Boo. Very family and children oriented. The elephants were wonderful. They obviously love their keepers. They follow around their keepers like puppies!
They still use bull hooks on poor Ruth, elderly elephant to make her walk faster, as was videotaped. There is an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee that has offered to take her. It's warm and she won't be subjected to anymore harsh New England weather. She got frostbite last winter. The elephant enclosure is inadequate. ALSO, the lynx spends every waking moment alone. It's a sad place.
Surprisingly wonderful zoo in the middle of Buttonwood Park. My son loved the animal themed carousel almost as much as the animals themselves. Exhibits are well done with a large variety of species. Very affordable and was a great way to spend an afternoon.
I will never visit the Buttonwood Park Zoo even though I live in Massachusetts. Elephants are social creatures that belong with their herd. They have suffered enough in their lifetime in circuses and zoos around the world for our selfish entertainment. Send them to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee to be with their sisters to roam and enjoy what remaining years they have. Educate your children before these majestic animals become extinct.
We were pleasantly surprised with this small zoo. Perfect for families with small kids - very walkable, very clean, won't break the bank. With about 20 exhibits in a park-like setting, you'll be able to spend time at each exhibit watching the animals and see it all within two hours. Leave some extra time to visit the large playground just outside the gates too.
Small zoo but its very nice. I did the elephant animal encounter with my parents and LOVED it! It doesn't cost very much especially since the cost of getting into the zoo is very cheap and it is a great experience. We got to feed and touch the elephants as well as learn a lot of information about Emily and Ruth and Asian elephants that I didn't know before! Friendly and knowledgeable staff!