7 Wild Encounters in Connecticut

Mystic Aquarium is one of the nation’s leading aquariums with more than 300 marine life species and features Arctic Coast, the largest outdoor beluga whale exhibit in the United States.  Watch them through underwater viewing windows or during feeding and training sessions.  Rescued harbor seals Bristol and Coral recently joined the belugas.  Other exhibits at this Mystic favorite feature African penguins, alligators, frogs, seals and sea lions.  Main Gallery habitats feature crowd-pleasing sharks, stingrays and jellyfish.

The Maritime Aquarium is the only aquarium devoted to Long Island Sound, the "Estuary of National Significance" just outside our doors.  Our marine population includes a variety of sharks, stingrays, harbor seals, sea turtles, otters, jellies, crabs, lobsters and more.  We also exhibit tropical travelers that follow the Gulf Stream north to our waters.  We have some other fun animals from tamarins to meerkats and we offer lots of touch experiences including sturgeon, stingrays, sharks, jellyfish and intertidal animals. 

Protecting endangered species is a key mission for this Bridgeport institution.  The Beardsley Zoo opened in the early 1920s and is the state’s only accredited zoo.  Many of the 300 animals, such as the Siberian tigers and Brazilian ocelots, are threatened by extinction. Popular exhibits include the indoor rainforest, Alligator Alley and New England Farmyard. The newest, Pampas Plains, features South American species such as the vicuña and giant anteater. Save time to ride the indoor carousel.

You’ll forget you’re even in Connecticut as you embark on the drive-thru safari at the Action Wildlife Foundation sanctuary in Goshen.  The more than 350 exotic animals that live here—elk, zebra, ibex, red sheep and wild boars—come from North America, Africa, India, Asia and the Arctic, and many are endangered. Visit the petting zoo to feed the smaller animals, spend time in the museum and picnic area and take a hayride in the fall.

Alpacas are rare outside of South America but there are more than 50 Peruvian huacayas living at Burgis Brook Farm in Canterbury.  With whimsical names like El Futuro and Claribelle, many are happy to be petted.  If owners Mark and Alisa aren’t out at a farmers market, they’ll tell you how the soft fleece turns into beautiful knitting yarn. Stop into The Crimp Farm Shop for yarns, hand knits, honey and garlic, all produced on-site.

Nature, history and art come together at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center, where visitors enjoy the interactive nature center, planetarium, observatory and telescope, otter pond, trails and playground.  Animal “meet and greets” featuring small exotic animals from around the world are a family favorite.  Seasonal exhibits explore science, conservation and endangered species or plan a visit during one of their annual events such as Harvest Festival Weekend or the Farm Egg Hunt.

The 19 sanctuaries stewarded by the CT Audubon Society provide daily access to nature where you can observe wildlife, go birdwatching, hike trails and learn from interpretative signage.  Nature centers offering educational programs are located in Fairfield, Milford, and Pomfret.  Some of the largest sanctuaries are Croft Preserve in Goshen, Bafflin Preserve in Pomfret and the newest, Deer Pond Farm in Sherman with 835 acres of forest, meadow and wetlands.