Buttonwood Park Zoo sits inside New Bedford, Massachusetts’ historic Buttonwood Park, and has been introducing visitors to wildlife since 1894. That makes it the third-oldest zoo in New England and one of the oldest in the entire United States, predating most of the sprawling zoos that dominate the region today.
Owned and operated by the City of New Bedford with support from the Buttonwood Park Zoological Society, the zoo packs more than 250 animals representing roughly 83 species onto just 7 compact acres. Despite its small footprint, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited facility has earned a reputation as one of the finest small zoos in the country, blending historic charm with active conservation work.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: New Bedford, Massachusetts
- Opened: 1894
- Size: About 7 acres
- Species/Animal Count: About 83 species, 250+ animals
- Annual Visitors: About 222,000
- Famous For: Asian elephants and small-zoo AZA accreditation
A Small Zoo With a Big Legacy
Buttonwood Park Zoo opened in 1894 as part of a wave of city zoos meant to signal wealth and civic ambition, and it has operated in the same historic park ever since. The grounds sit within the federally recognized Buttonwood Park Historic District, giving the zoo a distinctly old-New-England setting rarely found at larger, newer facilities.
A major renovation reopened key areas of the zoo in August 2000, modernizing exhibits while preserving the property’s historic character. The zoo earned AZA re-accreditation in 2003, and the American Zoo and Aquarium Association singled it out that year as one of the finest small zoos in the United States.
Animals and Exhibits to See
The zoo is organized into five main areas: North America East, North America West, Aquatics, Rainforests/Rivers/Reefs, and an Elephants exhibit. For decades the elephant habitat was home to Asian elephants Ruth and Emily, a pair well known to generations of local visitors before Ruth’s passing in December 2024.
Beyond its exhibits, Buttonwood Park Zoo runs a Wildlife Education Center and participates in the Species Survival Plan and the Cape Cod Stranding Network, contributing to conservation efforts for rare and endangered species well beyond New Bedford.
Explore more: Explore more zoos and aquariums.
Buttonwood Park Zoo FAQs
When did Buttonwood Park Zoo open?
The zoo opened in 1894, making it the third-oldest zoo in New England and one of the 12 oldest zoos in the United States.
How big is Buttonwood Park Zoo?
The zoo covers about 7 acres inside New Bedford, Massachusetts’ historic Buttonwood Park, and is home to more than 250 animals across roughly 83 species.
Is Buttonwood Park Zoo accredited?
Yes, it is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which re-accredited the zoo in 2003.
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Photo: LGagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.