Buttonwood Park Zoo welcomes two lynx kittens. Here's how the zoo's breeding program works

NEW BEDFORD – Buttonwood Park Zoo is not just a place where visitors can see exotic animals in their habitats, but it is also a hub for scientific research and conservation efforts.

With the zoo’s recent newborns such as beaver kits and lynx kittens, one important aspect of the zoo's work is the management of animal breeding and mating habits.

According to Shara Rapoza, assistant director at Buttonwood Park Zoo, many of the animal residents are a part of Species Survival Programs or Population Management Plans.

“As an accredited institution, the zoo not only looks at individual animals, but also considers the genetic diversity of the species as a whole within all accredited institutions,” she said.

The goal for the captive population or population under human care is to maintain as close to 98% genetic diversity over a 100-year period as possible. To achieve this, Rapoza said biologists analyze the genetics and pedigrees of all animals and make recommendations to facilities on breeding pairs to maximize diversity.

Zoo welcomes babies

One example of this successful breeding program was on May 4, 2024,  with the breeding of two kittens by two Canada lynxes.

The North American Beavers also gave birth to three kits on May 16, 2024.

It takes times for species to prepare to mate

It's not just a Barry Manilow song and a bottle of wine to get the animals in the mood.

Rapoza said the breeding process can be tricky, especially with beavers who have a heat cycle lasting only 12 hours. But, she said, once the animals are introduced and acclimated, they become a bonded pair and make excellent parents.

“Beavers are colony animals, so it is important to have a male and female for successful introductions,” she added.

MEET THE BABY BEAVERS: Buttonwood Park Zoo welcomed three new baby beavers into the world!

“For smaller species, like Cotton Top Tamarins, the introduction can be as simple as a 24-hour period of being housed together in the same enclosure. However, for larger mammals, like lions and tigers, the process is more complex and can take a longer period of time,” she said.

The story of Wicket and Justin, the Zoo's beavers

Buttonwood Park Zoo's resident North American Beavers, Wicket and Justin, have quite a unique story. According to Rapoza, Wicket came to them already on the drug Prozac. The zoo staff noticed that she was struggling with stress and aggression towards her sister.

“However, once she was moved to a more natural setting with proper separation and space, she seemed to thrive. The medication was slowly weaned off and she was eventually introduced to her new habitat mate, Justin,” she said.

Rapoza explains that each animal is unique and requires different environments and factors to thrive.

“In Wicket and Justin's case, they were able to bond and live together as a unit after being given the proper setup,” Rapoza added.

The journey to get to this point was not easy, as Rapoza describes it as a lot of "hurry up and wait." They were expecting Wicket to give birth on a specific day, but she did not. Finally, after all the anticipation, Wicket gave birth to three baby beavers.

CHECK OUT THE RED PANDAS LIVE: Need a little cuteness break? This New Bedford zoo might have the answer.

How long is the gestation period for animals

Births also don't just happen in nine months such as human, according to San José State University, animals give birth at all different rates. Some animals, such as hamsters, have a gestation period of only 16-18 days, while others such as elephants, have a gestation period of up to 22 months.

Typically, the smaller the animal, the shorter its gestation period.

Other species such as giraffes take 14 to 15 months and lions take 110 to 120 days. A dolphin and horse take 11 to 12 months. Kangaroos take 36 days, while an octopus takes 1 to 2 years.

Other species that have given birth at the zoo

The Zoo is also home to a variety of other animals, including red crowned cranes. These cranes, currently foraging in the backyard of the zoo, have an enclosure specifically designed for their species to live and thrive in.

But not all animals at the zoo are recommended for breeding. Some species such as mountain lions are not recommended due to the influx of orphan cubs who need care.

More: Mass Escape New Bedford has opened a new room. Here's what to know before playing.

The Buttonwood Park Zoo is proud of their diverse collection of animals, which includes many native North American species. Currently, they have two lynx kittens, three beaver kits, and a variety of baby birds.

"We also had red pandas born earlier this year, and our North American river otter has also had a few litters in the past," said Rapoza.

There are also a variety of waterfowl, which frequently hatch eggs in unexpected places.

"We have a whole area dedicated to native waterfowl in our beaver exhibit," added Rapoza. "We have nest boxes and areas for them to create nests in, away from the beavers.”

Rapoza also shares that the zoo sometimes intervenes in the hatching process to ensure the survival of certain species.

They will "candle" the eggs to check for development and determine whether they are fertile. "Some eggs may not be fertile or may not continue to be fertile, so we sometimes have to remove them and let the parents raise the remaining chicks," Rapoza added.

ZOO IMPROVEMENTS: Renovation project will expand Buttonwood Park Zoo's Animal Ambassador program

But it's not just about cute and cuddly additions to the zoo's family. Most animals are post-reproductive, meaning they have reached an age where they can no longer breed.

"Having babies is a draw. It is something people gravitate towards. It only helps to highlight our mission to educate the public about conservation and the importance of daily actions.”

Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on twitter:@ChitwoodReports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford Buttonwood Park Zoo reproduction and breeding program