New Bedford mayor breaks ground on new renovation at Buttonwood Zoo

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — Mayor Jon Mitchell, Buttonwood Park Zoo Director of Zoological Services Gary Lunsford, and other officials broke ground for a renovation project at the Buttonwood Barn.

The expansion to the barn will allow for an increase to the capacity and exhibit space for the Animal Ambassador program.

The zoo said the barn will be completely remodeled to provide more space for enclosures and educational programs, and will be more environmentally friendly through the use of electric heating and cooling to eliminate the need for fossil fuels.

“In the Animal Ambassador program, children can interact with animals up close, an opportunity to learn that isn’t available on the Internet,” Mitchell said. “Expanding this program is great for the Zoo because it creates educational opportunities for the region’s school children.”

The project is part of Phase II of the zoo’s Master Plan.