Bridgeport, CT — Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo held its first annual Tiger Trot, a one-mile family fun walk, at the Zoo on Saturday, May 5th. This brand new event invited children to participate in fundraising at the Zoo. The walk/trot included all-day admission to the Zoo, with special activities, face painting, music, giveaways, and surprises.
Zoo Director Gregg Dancho said that the first time event gathered more than 200 individuals and families for the Trot, and exceeded the Zoo’s goal of $10,000 for Zoo improvements and a new tiger habitat. “We’re gratified that so many people, including children of all ages, came out to support us today,” he said. “In addition, we had wonderful support from a number of sponsors, including the Source Coffeebus, Hudson Paper, Albertus Magnus College, Focaccia’s Café and Catery, and Hillgen-Santa Financial Group, and WEBE 108.”
Honorary chair Samantha Petiprin, a ten-year-old student at Tashua Elementary School in Trumbull, was chosen as Honorary Chair of the event after raising more than $600 for Amur tiger cubs Reka and Zeya by selling homemade whiskey cakes, made from her great grandmother’s recipe.
Sponsored by Fairfield Veterinary Hospital; WEBE 108; The Cohen Family: Alison, Aaron, Mitch and Fran; Adelman, Hirsch and Connors; Milford Pediatric Group, Source Coffeehouse; Hillgen-Santa Financial Group; and Albertus Magnus College
About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo
Spend the day a world away! Connecticut's only zoo, celebrating its 96thyear, features 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species. Guests won't want to miss our Amur (Siberian) tigers and tiger cubs, maned wolf family including three pups, Amur leopard, Brazilian ocelot, Mexican wolves, and Golden Lion tamarins. Other highlights include our South American rainforest with free-flight aviary, the prairie dog exhibit with "pop-up" viewing areas, the New England Farmyard with goats, cows, pigs, sheep, and other barnyard critters, plus the hoofstock trail featuring bison, pronghorn, deer, and more. Guests can grab a bite at the Peacock Café, eat in the Picnic Grove, and enjoy a ride on our colorful, indoor carousel. For more information, visit beardsleyzoo.com.