Login
Login

The Zoo In Forest Park

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox zoo

|zoo_name=The Zoo In Forest Park and Education Center

|location=Springfield, Massachusetts, USA

|members=Zoological Association of America (ZAA)

|area=4 acres (1.6 ha)

|num_animals=200+ (2020)

|annual_visitors=55,000 (2018)

|website=https://www.forestparkzoo.org

|Governing Body=Forest Park Zoological Society|Executive Director=Sarah Tsitso|date_opened=1894}}

The Zoo In Forest Park and Education Center, also known as the Forest Park Zoo, is a nonprofit zoo situated in Forest Park, Springfield, Massachusetts. It spans an area of four acres and is home to a variety of exotic, native, and endangered species.

History

The Zoo in Forest Park opened in 1894 and was initially run by the city's Parks Department.{{Cite web |last=Kinney |first=Jim |date=2019-01-25 |title=The Zoo in Forest Park preps for 125th anniversary season; promises three new exhibits including eagles |url=https://www.masslive.com/business/2019/01/the-zoo-in-forest-park-preps-for-125th-anniversary-season-promises-three-new-exhibits-including-eagles.html |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=masslive |language=en}} Animals at the zoo in its first decade included badgers, a bald eagle, bears, a Brazilian marmoset, boars, a buffalo, cockatoos, deer, doves, finches, Java pigeons, a pair of Indian leopards, lions (named Caesar and Calpurnia),{{Cite news |date=17 January 1922 |title=Calpurnia, Queen of Forest Park Zoo, Passes on to Happy Hunting Ground |pages=4 |work=Springfield Republican |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/readex/doc?p=EANX&docref=image/v2%3A11BC3DF3E61E32B5%40EANX-12ED8C86A0845B3C%402423072-12ECEC2B00B8048A%403-12ECEC2B00B8048A%40 |access-date=30 January 2023}} lynxes, macaws, monkeys, an ostrich, prairie dogs, a rabbit, red-faced apes, timber wolves, toucans, waterfowl, and a wildcat.{{Cite news |date=28 November 1886 |title=Springfield |pages=8 |work=Springfield Republican |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/readex/doc?p=EANX&docref=image/v2%3A11BC3DF3E61E32B5%40EANX-1204EFE9ED144880%402413892-1204EFEA39F0DED8-1204EFEB4F4A8D00 |access-date=30 January 2023}}{{Cite news |date=2 May 1913 |title=Bald Eagle Presented to Co H |pages=3 |work=Springfield Republican |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/readex/doc?p=EANX&docref=image/v2%3A11BC3DF3E61E32B5%40EANX-12D5DDA44809B04A%402419890-12D52AE881BCE1E4%402-12D52AE881BCE1E4%40 |access-date=30 January 2023}}{{Cite news |date=15 June 1912 |title=Additions to Park Zoo |pages=9 |work=Springfield Republican |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/readex/doc?p=EANX&docref=image/v2%3A11BC3DF3E61E32B5%40EANX-12CE51A742F95F15%402419569-12CBF5DD3AA2108B%408-12CBF5DD3AA2108B%40 |access-date=30 January 2023}}{{Cite news |date=26 May 1914 |title=Mike and Tou-Tou Jealous: Rivals Arrive at the Park |pages=6 |work=Springfield Republican |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/readex/doc?p=EANX&docref=image/v2%3A11BC3DF3E61E32B5%40EANX-12D7C857DBD4FBBC%402420279-12D62F6F0970B867%405-12D62F6F0970B867%40 |access-date=30 January 2023}}{{Cite news |date=21 June 1914 |title=Park's Happy Family |pages=23 |work=Springfield Republican |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/readex/doc?p=EANX&docref=image/v2%3A11BC3DF3E61E32B5%40EANX-12D7CCA809AE62F4%402420305-12D62F71682E8AD9%4022-12D62F71682E8AD9%40 |access-date=30 January 2023}} Domestic animals included cattle, horses, sheep, and Angora goats. Many of the animals were purchased from the animal show market of Coney Island, although some were donated.{{Cite news |date=28 January 1923 |title=Animals at Forest Park Zoo to be Properly Labeled |pages=8 |work=Springfield Republican |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/readex/doc?p=EANX&docref=image/v2%3A11BC3DF3E61E32B5%40EANX-128EEBA81EBB9944%402423448-128E516792B651FD%407-128E516792B651FD%40 |access-date=30 January 2023}}

It was not until 1923 that the zoo began systematically labeling animals with their species, name, and origin.

For thirty years,{{cite book |last1=Schulman |first1=Janet |author-link1=Janet Schulman |last2=Goldsmith |first2=Cathy |last3=Geisel |first3=Theodor Seuss |author-link3=Dr. Seuss |date=2004 |title=Your Favorite Seuss |edition=1st |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ISBN0375810617 |location= |publisher=Random House |page=83 |isbn=0-375-81061-7 |quote=Not only did Ted Geisel draw animals that were, well, a bit different, he also created sculptures that combine elements from real animals with elements from his fertile imagination. His father, who actually ran the zoo in Springfield, Massachusetts, for thirty years, supplied him with the elk antlers (top left), the gazelle (top right) and African antelope (bottom right) horns, the toucan beak, and the rhinoceros horn transformed into a unicorn that you see here.}} the zoo was curated by Theodor Robert Geisel, father of famous author and illustrator Theodor Seuss Geisel. While working at the zoo, the elder Geisel occasionally gave his son antlers, beaks, and horns from deceased zoo animals, which Seuss would purpose for a rogue taxidermy art collection he titled Unorthodox Taxidermy.{{cite news |last=Lunden |first=Jeff |date=November 17, 2016 |title=Before His Name Was Known At All, Seuss Put Creatures On The Wall |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/11/17/502164850/before-his-name-was-known-at-all-seuss-put-creatures-on-the-wall |work=NPR |location= |access-date=August 29, 2023 |quote=In the mid-1930s, Theodor Geisel was a fledgling author and artist, working as an illustrator for New York ad agencies. His father, superintendent of parks in Springfield, Mass., occasionally sent him antlers, bills and horns from deceased zoo animals. Geisel kept them in a box under his bed and used them to create whimsical sculptures.}} The zoo also inspired Seuss's acclaimed children's book If I Ran the Zoo (1950).

During World War II the zoo replaced the standard beef given to carnivores with horse meat.{{Cite news |date=11 July 1943 |title=No Meat Shortage at Forest Park Zoo |pages=10 |work=Springfield Republican |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/readex/doc?p=EANX&docref=image/v2%3A11BC3DF3E61E32B5%40EANX-12A80E86F74A43D7%402430917-12A51A4E0D037744%409-12A51A4E0D037744%40 |access-date=30 January 2023}}{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Miriam |date=17 October 1943 |title=Animals at Forest Park Zoo Thrive on Changed Diet Due to Wartime Rations |pages=42 |work=Springfield Republican |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/readex/doc?p=EANX&docref=image/v2%3A11BC3DF3E61E32B5%40EANX-12A849A085A64210%402431015-12A518D4D0056C29%4041-12A518D4D0056C29%40 |access-date=30 January 2023}} The smaller animals were fed grain, acorns, and stale bread along with their standard vegetables.

Well-known animals over the years included Jiggs the chimpanzee (until 1967), Snowball the polar bear (1951-1979), and Morganetta the elephant (1965-1980).{{Cite web |last=Goonan |first=Peter |date=2016-07-01 |title=The Zoo in Forest Park: A happy ending for escapee Dizzy brings back sad memories of Snowball, Morganetta and Jiggs |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2016/07/the_zoo_in_forest_park_a_happy.html |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=masslive |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Osterman |first=Elsie |date=19 June 1990 |title=Forest Park remains a gathering place, a slice of country |pages=A8 |work=Springfield Republican |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/0F2F135C727F1D8E |access-date=30 January 2023}} Both Jiggs and Snowball were taxidermied and donated to the Springfield Science Museum.{{Cite news |date=1 February 1981 |title=African |pages=F-6 |work=Springfield Union |via=Readex: America's Historical Newspapers}}{{Cite news |last=Siteman |first=Linda |date=17 December 1980 |title=Snowball: From cantankerous to cuddly |pages=3 |work=Springfield Union |url= |access-date= |via=Readex: America's Historical Newspapers}}

The zoo faced financial difficulties in the 1970s, leading to many of the animals being sold off. In 1976 the zoo received negative media attention as the result of their inclusion in a book titled Living Trophies: A Shocking Look at the Conditions in America's Zoos.{{Cite news |last=Filosi |first=Penny |date=11 February 1982 |title=Requiem for Forest Park Zoo - only the memories remain |pages=17 |work=Springfield Union |via=Readex: America's Historical Newspapers}} In 1979 a proposal for a new $2.7 million zoo was unveiled, but it received little public support. In 1980 the Springfield Parks Commission officially voted against the proposal.

In early 1982 the zoo was officially demolished in the name of aesthetic improvements.{{Cite news |date=9 January 1982 |title=Zoo demolition set |pages=9 |work=Springfield Union |via=Readex: America's Historical Newspapers}} However, a zoo did remain in Forest Park: the James P. Heady Kiddieland Zoo, a petting zoo, which was relocated to elsewhere in the park. After the closing and demolition of the original Forest Park Zoo, the Kiddieland Zoo was often referred to as the Forest Park Zoo. It was eventually expanded, and in 1986 the zoo received a $1 million grant from the Massachusetts government for the redevelopment and relocation of the zoo.{{Cite news |last=Briere |first=Glenn A. |date=5 February 1986 |title=Grant gives $1 million to zoo |pages=3 |work=Springfield Union |via=Readex: America's Historical Newspapers}}

In June 2016 one of the zoo's guenon monkeys, Dizzy, escaped his enclosure and made his way into Forest Park.{{Cite magazine |date=22 June 2016 |title=A Zoo in Massachusetts Can't Seem to Find Its Missing Monkey |url=https://time.com/4378672/zoo-forest-park-dizzy-monkey-missing/ |access-date=2023-01-30 |magazine=Time |language=en}} He was re-captured several days later.{{Cite web |last=DeForge |first=Jeanette |date=2016-06-26 |title=Dizzy the Monkey captivated Springfield's attention after escaping: What people were Tweeting |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2016/06/dizzy_the_monkey_captivated_sp.html |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=masslive |language=en}}

The zoo temporarily closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was able to re-open with restrictions in June 2020.{{Cite web |date=2020-06-08 |title=Zoo in Forest Park re-opens with certain restrictions |url=https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/zoo-in-forest-park-re-opens-with-certain-restrictions/ |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=WWLP |language=en-US}}

In 2023 one of the zoo's screech owls, Clint Screechwood, won BonusFinder.com's 'Superb Owl' contest, which came with a $5000 prize for the zoo.{{Cite web |last=Rotondo |first=Irene |date=2023-02-13 |title=Superb Owl winner from Springfield Forest Park Zoo is the 'best owl in country' |url=https://www.masslive.com/entertainment/2023/02/superb-owl-winner-from-springfield-forest-park-zoo-is-clint-screechwood.html |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=MassLive |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=DeGray |first=Nick |date=2023-02-13 |title=Clint Screechwood, one-eyed owl from Forest Park Zoo, named Superb Owl 2023 winner |url=https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/clint-screechwood-one-eyed-owl-from-forest-park-zoo-named-superb-owl-2023-winner/ |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=WWLP |language=en-US}}

Operations

The zoo operates from late March until early November.{{Cite web |last=Hickey |first=Olivia |date=26 March 2022 |title=Visitors head to The Zoo in Forest Park for opening day |url=https://www.westernmassnews.com/2022/03/27/visitors-head-zoo-forest-park-opening-day/ |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=Western Mass News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=4 November 2019 |title=THE ZOO IS CLOSED FOR WINTER |url=https://www.forestparkzoo.org/visitor-info/news/zoo-closed-winter |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=www.forestparkzoo.org |language=en}}

During the hottest days of summer, some animals are kept inside, with the floors of their enclosures kept free of hay, and staff provide animals with ice.{{Cite web |last=Flynn |first=Anne-Gerard |date=2010-07-08 |title=Wallaby or cow, rabbit or emu, zoo and farm animals get hot too |url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2010/07/wallaby_or_cow_rabbit_or_emu_z.html |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=masslive |language=en}}

= Programs =

== Adopt an Animal ==

The Zoo offers the opportunity to become closer to the animals by 'adopting them': assisting in supporting the cost of their food and care. Any individual or group can adopt an animal. Most animals are adopted by more than one person or group.

The program launched in 1989 as a way to raise money for animals' food and veterinary care.{{Cite news |last=Pugh |first=Susannah |date=19 February 1991 |title=Zoo offers cut rate on love - Animal-adoption prices drop |pages=14 |work=The Republican |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/0F2F10D6DA1AED70 |access-date=30 January 2023}}

Animals

Most of the animals at the zoo (~85%) are unable to be released in the wild due to injury, illness, or familiarity with humans.

Animals that currently reside at the Zoo In Forest Park and Education Center include:{{Cite web |title=Exhibits |url=https://www.forestparkzoo.org/exhibits |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=www.forestparkzoo.org |language=en}}

{{Columns-list|

Species that previously resided at the zoo include:

{{Columns-list|

}}

Events

= Brew at the Zoo =

Brew at the Zoo is an annual fundraiser featuring local breweries, held since 2017.{{Cite web |last=Goonan |first=Peter |date=2017-08-24 |title=More than 250 expected at first ever 'Brew at the Zoo' fundraiser tonight at Springfield's Forest Park |url=https://www.masslive.com/entertainment/2017/08/zoo_in_forest_park_sells_more.html |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=masslive |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-08-06 |title=Brew at the Zoo returns to Forest Park |url=https://www.wwlp.com/news/brew-at-the-zoo-returns-to-forest-park/ |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=WWLP |language=en-US}}

= Eggstravaganza =

Eggstravaganza is the zoo's annual Easter event, held the Saturday before Easter.{{Cite web |last1=Landaverde |first1=Briceyda |last2=O'Connor |first2=Samantha |date=16 April 2022 |title=Zoo in Forest Park celebrates Easter with return of Eggstravaganza |url=https://www.westernmassnews.com/2022/04/16/zoo-forest-park-celebrates-easter-with-return-eggstravaganza/ |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=Western Mass News |language=en}}

= Spooky Safari =

Spooky Safari is the zoo's annual Halloween event. Stations are set up within the zoo for trick-or-treating, and additional activities like crafts and face painting are also offered.{{Cite web |last1=Burnell |first1=Kristin |last2=Trowbridge |first2=Ryan |title=Zoo in Forest Park in Springfield hosts 'Spooky Safari' |url=https://www.westernmassnews.com/2022/10/30/zoo-forest-park-springfield-hosts-spooky-safari/ |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=Western Mass News |language=en}} This event is the successor to "Halloween Happening", which first occurred in 1988.{{Cite news |last=Stephenson |first=Denise |date=30 October 1989 |title=Forest Park Zoo hosts costumed tots |pages=11 |work=Springfield Republican |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/0F2F131682CBCA26 |access-date=30 January 2023}}

= Wine Safari =

Wine Safari is an annual fundraiser event held since 2018, where guests taste test different wines and are able to meet animals from the regions where the different wines are produced.{{Cite web |date=2018-03-30 |title=Zoo in Forest Park hosts first ever Wine Safari event |url=https://www.wwlp.com/news/zoo-in-forest-park-hosts-first-ever-wine-safari-event/ |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=WWLP |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2019-04-26 |title=Zoo in Forest Park holds third-annual "Wine-Safari" |url=https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/zoo-in-forest-park-holds-third-annual-wine-safari/ |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=WWLP |language=en-US}}

Awards

  • 2021: Educational Award of Excellence; Zoological Association of America{{Cite web |date=24 January 2022 |title=Forest Park Zoo receives second national award for education programming |url=https://www.forestparkzoo.org/visitor-info/news/forest-park-zoo-receives-second-national-award-education-programming |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=www.forestparkzoo.org |language=en}}
  • 2022: Educational Award of Excellence; Zoological Association of America

See also

External links

  • [https://www.forestparkzoo.org/ Official Website]

References

{{reflist}}

{{SpringfieldMA}}

{{Zoos of Massachusetts}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zoo In Forest Park}}

Category:1894 establishments in Massachusetts

Category:Buildings and structures in Springfield, Massachusetts

Category:Tourist attractions in Springfield, Massachusetts

Category:Zoos in Massachusetts