Buttonwood Park Zoo reopens with new safety guidelines

NEW BEDFORD — After 12 weeks of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Buttonwood Park Zoo is welcoming the public back, but with new guidelines.

BPZOO is now open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., with last admission at 4 p.m., from Wednesday through Sunday until further notice. The zoo will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays for deep cleaning. Timed-based admission will be utilized to limit capacity and all tickets, for members and non-members, must be reserved online at bpzoo.org/purchase-tickets. There will be no cash handling on site. In accordance with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts guidelines, protective face coverings are required for all guests over the age of 2.

The visitor experience at BPZOO has been reconfigured to meet current public health guidelines. BPZOO has implemented measures to encourage social distancing among guests and staff and to protect the zoo's animals. Additionally, indoor areas will be temporarily closed during Phase One of reopening. This includes Rainforests, Rivers & Reefs, Buttonwood Farm barn and the North Wood Gift Store. A limited number of gift store items will be available for sale at an outdoor kiosk during operating hours. The Wildlife Carousel, Baycoast Bank Black Bear Express and Charlie’s Nature Play area will be temporarily closed per State guidelines. For a complete look at what to expect, visit www.bpzoo.org/reopening/

The zoo is located at 425 Hawthorn St., New Bedford. Ticket prices for non-New Bedford residents are $10 for adults/$6 for children 3-12; Ticket prices for New Bedford residents are $7.50 for adults/$4.50 for children 3-12 and must be reserved online in advance and brought to the zoo for admission. There will be no monetary transactions at the admissions gate. For more information about the Zoo’s programs, animals and exhibits, visit www.bpzoo.org.