Jim Wharton, PhD
@jimwharton.bsky.social
CEO, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. Forever advocate for sharks, empathy, and conservation optimism.
https://linktr.ee/jimwharton
https://linktr.ee/jimwharton
While not officially endorsing a candidate in the Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo Mayoral election...I encourage you to give Chunk, the tiger salamander a 2nd look. Who would you trust more to encourage bipartisan cooperation than the amphibian candidate?
fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/2026ZooMa...
fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/2026ZooMa...
November 3, 2025 at 2:33 PM
While not officially endorsing a candidate in the Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo Mayoral election...I encourage you to give Chunk, the tiger salamander a 2nd look. Who would you trust more to encourage bipartisan cooperation than the amphibian candidate?
fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/2026ZooMa...
fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/2026ZooMa...
As a person who walks around a zoo every day with a trash picker, what would you guess is the most common article of garbage I find on the ground? 🗑️
August 7, 2025 at 2:55 PM
As a person who walks around a zoo every day with a trash picker, what would you guess is the most common article of garbage I find on the ground? 🗑️
Ranger, one of our red wolves, enjoys a beautiful early spring day at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo. Red wolves are critically endangered in the US and require strengthened, not relaxed protections to ensure their survival. As has been shown in other regions, wolves are good for habitats.
March 11, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Ranger, one of our red wolves, enjoys a beautiful early spring day at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo. Red wolves are critically endangered in the US and require strengthened, not relaxed protections to ensure their survival. As has been shown in other regions, wolves are good for habitats.
Extinct relatives of #RedPandas followed temperate forests as their distributions shifted w/ changing climate…but that was then. Now wild spaces & extant pops are fragmented by human development and local extinctions which will make it harder to respond to current (and more rapid) climate changes.
January 14, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Extinct relatives of #RedPandas followed temperate forests as their distributions shifted w/ changing climate…but that was then. Now wild spaces & extant pops are fragmented by human development and local extinctions which will make it harder to respond to current (and more rapid) climate changes.
The little false thumb in red and giant pandas evolved independently. In first pandas, as a climbing adaptation, probably to escape predators and to feed on arboreal lizard, fruits, and eggs. #RedPanda
January 14, 2025 at 5:27 PM
The little false thumb in red and giant pandas evolved independently. In first pandas, as a climbing adaptation, probably to escape predators and to feed on arboreal lizard, fruits, and eggs. #RedPanda
Surprised to learn that #RedPandas have not been a big part of the culture and lore of range states. Happy that the pelt and pet trades are also limited. All probably related to view of bright pandas as good luck…rare to begin with, becoming more rare with habitat losses.
January 13, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Surprised to learn that #RedPandas have not been a big part of the culture and lore of range states. Happy that the pelt and pet trades are also limited. All probably related to view of bright pandas as good luck…rare to begin with, becoming more rare with habitat losses.
Lovely picture of a stump in our leopard habitat at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. Couldn’t find the cat.
January 9, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Lovely picture of a stump in our leopard habitat at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. Couldn’t find the cat.
We just got a dusting. The Zoo is lovely in the snow.
January 7, 2025 at 2:41 PM
We just got a dusting. The Zoo is lovely in the snow.
Learning lots even in the introduction of my new red panda text…pandas are called Wha or Chitwa in their home range due to their vocalizations. Also, super tired of reading about Europeans “discovering” animals. Aren’t we done with that old chestnut? #RedPanda
January 2, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Learning lots even in the introduction of my new red panda text…pandas are called Wha or Chitwa in their home range due to their vocalizations. Also, super tired of reading about Europeans “discovering” animals. Aren’t we done with that old chestnut? #RedPanda
2024 featured two pretty significant events/transitions for me. We opened the Ocean Pavilion: an exhibit and conservation program a decade in the making *and* I left the aquarium to run a Zoo? Can’t make this stuff up.
January 1, 2025 at 3:17 AM
2024 featured two pretty significant events/transitions for me. We opened the Ocean Pavilion: an exhibit and conservation program a decade in the making *and* I left the aquarium to run a Zoo? Can’t make this stuff up.
Ocean guy brushing up on the new neighborhood.
December 31, 2024 at 4:23 PM
Ocean guy brushing up on the new neighborhood.
Now that the #ErasTour is over, come see Taylor the American red wolf at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. Red wolves are critically endangered with as few as 20 individuals in the wild. Those are vaquita numbers.
December 13, 2024 at 1:41 PM
Now that the #ErasTour is over, come see Taylor the American red wolf at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. Red wolves are critically endangered with as few as 20 individuals in the wild. Those are vaquita numbers.
Maybe everybody knows this, but I just took a pic of a physical doc w/ my iPhone, highlighted the text, and copied/pasted it into a Word doc. Worked amazing, didn't require an app. I'm so used to being angry/frustrated w/ tech, I'm kind of caught off guard that this works so well and is so helpful.
December 6, 2024 at 4:49 PM
Maybe everybody knows this, but I just took a pic of a physical doc w/ my iPhone, highlighted the text, and copied/pasted it into a Word doc. Worked amazing, didn't require an app. I'm so used to being angry/frustrated w/ tech, I'm kind of caught off guard that this works so well and is so helpful.
Beautiful day to visit Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. Sun is out, temperature is mild, Berry taking a break from her mayoral duties to take in a little sun.
November 16, 2024 at 7:50 PM
Beautiful day to visit Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. Sun is out, temperature is mild, Berry taking a break from her mayoral duties to take in a little sun.
Sitting in the first Animal Wellbeing Summit, hosted by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Best idea heard (reinforced) so far: healthy, happy staff = healthier, happier animals. 🦇🧪
November 13, 2024 at 5:33 PM
Sitting in the first Animal Wellbeing Summit, hosted by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Best idea heard (reinforced) so far: healthy, happy staff = healthier, happier animals. 🦇🧪
Bluesky now has over 10 million users, and I was #76,078!
...though I'm not sure how comfortable I am collecting so many of these "elder" designations.
...though I'm not sure how comfortable I am collecting so many of these "elder" designations.
September 23, 2024 at 1:23 PM
Bluesky now has over 10 million users, and I was #76,078!
...though I'm not sure how comfortable I am collecting so many of these "elder" designations.
...though I'm not sure how comfortable I am collecting so many of these "elder" designations.
Happy International Red Panda Day! Can you believe there may be as few as 2,500 left in the wild? Donate to zoos working on first panda conservation or directly to redpandanetwork.org
September 21, 2024 at 5:29 PM
Happy International Red Panda Day! Can you believe there may be as few as 2,500 left in the wild? Donate to zoos working on first panda conservation or directly to redpandanetwork.org
The Ocean Pavilion turned out really cool. Be sure to come see it this fall. In October, the whole overlook walk connection to the Market should be open as well.
August 31, 2024 at 2:57 AM
The Ocean Pavilion turned out really cool. Be sure to come see it this fall. In October, the whole overlook walk connection to the Market should be open as well.
#SharksNearMe at my last all-staff meeting.
August 15, 2024 at 7:37 PM
#SharksNearMe at my last all-staff meeting.
Happy Shark and Ray Awareness Day! 🦈🦑🧪🦇
July 14, 2024 at 6:52 PM
Happy Shark and Ray Awareness Day! 🦈🦑🧪🦇
Been teaching conservation learning principles and leadership with an all-star team at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ professional courses (I.e. “Zoo School”). A great week with great students. 🧪🦈🦑
February 17, 2024 at 9:17 PM
Been teaching conservation learning principles and leadership with an all-star team at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ professional courses (I.e. “Zoo School”). A great week with great students. 🧪🦈🦑
Currently marveling at the biggest sporting event of the year…Iowa v Nebraska where Caitlin Clark’s record is still in reach in the 3rd quarter.
February 11, 2024 at 7:20 PM
Currently marveling at the biggest sporting event of the year…Iowa v Nebraska where Caitlin Clark’s record is still in reach in the 3rd quarter.
Here’s a new game for you…shark, or shuttle? 🦈🚀
October 31, 2023 at 3:41 AM
Here’s a new game for you…shark, or shuttle? 🦈🚀