BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Guinea hog piglets just 5-weeks-old are delighting visitors to the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, supporting a mission of conservation and education.
“We have one male and four females,” said Gregg Dancho, zoo director at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo , as he introduced new baby guinea hogs, born in early August.
Dorji, 10-month-old red panda, makes public debut at Beardsley Zoo “When they’re born, their eyes are open, they’re mobile and they just immediately, as soon as they’re born, can spread out,” Dancho said.
In the Zoo’s Farmyard, they take mud baths, play with each other and delight visitors with their adorable spirit.
They also like belly rubs!
“They’re very friendly,” Dancho said, noting they don’t like zoo staff to hold them for more than a few seconds.
Dancho said these hogs are at risk of becoming an endangered domestic species, so the zoo’s conservation program is important for growing the population.
Monkey found in Old Saybrook backyard finds temporary home at Beardsley Zoo “What’s interesting about guinea hogs is that they are a heritage breed. They’re part of the Livestock Conservancy,” he said. “Our zoo has been very very good at having babies every year that go on to other facilities. So, you may go to Roger Williams Park Zoo in Rhode Island and they have some of our guinea hogs there.”
The zoo is one of the state’s top tourism sites with big attractions like an Amur Leopard and an Andean Bear.
Growth and change are in the works. Dancho is actually retiring after 45 years.
“The zoo has been my life since I was in high school back in 1975, almost 50 years of coming to the zoo. I actually came to the zoo when I was 1-year-old with my family,” he said.
Watch penguin chicks take their first swim at Mystic Aquarium The zoo is also gearing-up for a unique event: the Glow Wild Lantern Festival from late September to mid-December.
It’s all about keeping families busy and smiling.
“This will be the third year, all new lights,” Five week old guinea hog piglets are delighting visitors to the beardsley zoo in bridgeport…supporting a mission of conservation and education.Dancho said. “I think everyone is going to have a great time with that. We’re really looking forward to 2025.”
The baby guinea hogs will be at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo through the fall.
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