Mayor Joseph P. Ganim
Bridgeport, CT
For Immediate Release For More Information:
May 25, 2017 Dalmarys Matos (203)333-2843
dalmarys.matos@bridgeportct.gov
-Press Release-
Mayor Ganim Joins Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo to Cut Ribbon for Grand Opening of New Animal Commissary
State-of-the-art Food Preparation Facility for Animals has Replaced Decades-old Facility
Bridgeport, CT- On Thursday May 25th, Mayor Ganim joined Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo to unveil a brand new state-of-the-art kitchen and animal commissary. To commemorate the grand opening of the commissary, the Zoo hosted a Commissary Cook Off. The cook-off granted eight students from the Trumbull High School Culinary Arts program, under the direction of instructor Chef Craig Voytek, the opportunity to compete in cooking challenge in the zoo’s new kitchen facility. Their challenge was to turn a selection of animal diet, restaurant-quality products into delicious dishes suitable for humans.
Using the new facility animal caretakers at the Zoo will prepare dozens of nutritionally balanced animal diets each day for the Zoo’s 300 animal residents, utilizing fresh, human-grade foods, ranging from local fish and lamb shanks to grains, fruit, vegetables, and more. The new commissary, funded in part with a grant from the City of Bridgeport, offers enhanced food preparation areas, a larger pantry, refrigerator, and freezer, and a large window so guests can watch food preparation and learn more about animal diets.
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is also proud to announce the addition of two Canada lynx (Felis lynx) kittens, born on April 26, 2017. The babies have yet to have their first exam by the zoo’s veterinarian, as their mother is still extremely protective and the zoo staff is respecting her need for privacy for several more weeks. The two kittens appear to be healthy, and a quick peek into their den showed that their eyes are open.
Beardsley Zoo Director Gregg Dancho said, “At just three weeks old, it will be a while before the kittens venture out in public. They are just starting to explore the world around them.”
Anyone interested in naming the kittens can bid on the opportunity at the auction at the Wild Wine Safari on June 3.
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