Buttonwood Park Zoo Celebrates $2.7M Animal Ambassador Center Opening

The Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford officially opened a new Animal Ambassador Center on Thursday, Oct. 2. The new center aims to boost educational and conservation initiatives at the zoo.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, Buttonwood Park Zoo Director Shara Rapoza, and other zoo officials presided over the center's opening ceremony, highlighting its role in offering interactive learning experiences for the public.

The new center offers enhanced viewing areas and habitat space for the zoo's Animal Ambassador Program. This program highlights the efforts of zoo personnel who take rescued and rehabilitated animals to schools, libraries, and other public events to offer hands-on learning experiences across Greater New Bedford.

As part of its expanded Animal Ambassador Program, the zoo introduced 12 new animal residents, including red fox siblings Finn and Fern, which were rescued from a farm near Cleveland, Ohio.

In addition to the new facilities, the zoo has implemented environmental upgrades, including replacing the gas heating system with electric heating and cooling, and adding stormwater management infrastructure to promote ecological sustainability.

“The team at BPZoo has been buzzing about this day all year,” BPZoo Director Shara Rapoza said in a statement shared in a New Bedford news release. “We're thrilled to finally introduce Finn and Fern to all the people of New Bedford and give all our visitors a look inside our Animal Ambassador Program. This has been one of the zoo's best programs over the years, and we're excited to bring all these amazing animals out into the spotlight.”

The $2.7 million renovation project was supported by public and private funds, including $250,000 from BayCoast Bank, funds from the Zoological Society, and funds from the City's Capital Improvement Plan.