Capron Park Zoo reports strong May; new tree shrew arrives and enters quarantine

Zoo staff told the Attleboro Park Commission on June 17 that May was a solid month for Capron Park Zoo, with heavy Education Department activity, volunteer projects and special events drawing visitors.

The report said education offerings included field trips, animal encounters, zoo mobiles, camps and birthday programs. Staff noted the newly planted Pocket Forest will expand hands-on programming for students and visitors, and that organized volunteers helped lead a USA 250th Tour featuring different animals.

Staff highlighted volunteer support from Keller Williams and Bristol County Savings Bank, which ran volunteer days to clean zoo grounds. The Friends of Capron Park Zoo painted a break room and the Capron building kitchen and completed exterior painting on the zoo pavilion. Staff also reported repairs to a drywell in the yak exhibit and ongoing work on the crane exhibit.

Zoo staff reported the arrival of a northern tree shrew, nicknamed Tater, from Potter Park Zoo; the animal is in a 30‑day quarantine and staff said they are preparing for upcoming USDA inspections. The report noted the new concession vendor D & M Pizza is now operating in the zoo concession area and that Del’s is also available.

Staff said the department is working with the Attleboro Police Department on protocols following a bomb-call threat that other zoos have recently experienced. The commission received the report; no formal action was recorded on the zoo items.