New Bedford’s Buttonwood Park Zoo raising funds for Australian Wildlife devastated by Bushfires

The Buttonwood Park Zoo is helping SouthCoast residents come to the aid of wildlife in Australia. The Zoo’s Coins for Conservation program – which has raised over $72,000 since its inception in 2015 – makes a direct impact on wildlife and as of today, is accepting donations for the Zoo and Aquarium Association, Australasia’s Wildlife Conservation Fund. Money raised for this fund will directly support the emerging rescue and rehabilitation needs of wildlife affected by these devastating bushfires.

“Although the Zoo has very few Australian species in its population, our dedication to the conservation of wildlife and wild places around the world has led us to take this action to help support our colleagues heroic work in that country,” said Zoo Director, Keith Lovett. “We encourage our guests to not only make donations to these efforts, but to consider what they can do in their everyday lives to help protect natural environments.”

The Buttonwood Park Zoo’s Coins for Conservation program has helped fund projects to conserve elephants in Vietnam, endangered primates in South America, jaguars in Belize, endangered waterbirds in remote sections of Asia, and the rehabilitation of injured or orphaned species in Massachusetts, among others.

Guests to the Zoo can donate to this wildlife rescue and rehabilitation efforts right at the admissions desk or through the Zoo’s Coins for Conservation webpage.

The Zoo is located at 425 Hawthorn Street in New Bedford and is open from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm daily throughout the winter.