Big Cats Become Big Attraction At Bridgeport's Beardsley Zoo

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - Bridgeport's Beardsley Zoo is the place to go to see the big cats in town - as well as monkeys, tigers, birds and reptiles, too.

An Amur leopard roams the grounds at the Beardsley Zoo.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Kim Mapel, and William, 5, of Oxford, watch the tigers.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Amur tiger.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Six-year-old Flint Erickson (in red) and his family, from Southbury, watch the wolves.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Keel-billed Toucan.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Wolves roam in their pens.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Howler monkeys watch the people.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Howler monkey hanging out.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Canada Lynx
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Skip Pearlman

02/05/2015 5:00 a.m.

Soon the zoo will add an anteater exhibit - expected to open late spring or summer.

"Our most popular animals are probably the tigers, the leopards and wolves," said Zoo Admissions Manager Jill Koos. "The monkeys always have big crowds, and anything new is always big. In the summer we have tortoises, and our camel rides (expected back this summer) are very popular.

"Come on down to the zoo - there's always something exciting and new!"

Last weekend, 5-year-old William Mapel, of Oxford, was visiting the tigers.

"I learned a lot about animals," said William. "I had a birthday party here. ... It was a lot of fun."

"We love seeing the animals," added William's mom, Kim. "We've been here a few times, and we both really enjoy seeing the animals."

The zoo is open year-round, and also hosts birthday parties.

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