I definitely agree with you, although my understanding is that NYC has been so hard hit that its new infection and death rates are now improving far faster than anywhere else in the country, and so many people were infected that it has something a lot closer to herd immunity than other places, especially those that are reopening without meeting public health guidelines for doing so. This indicates to me that NYC perhaps *should* be one of the first places to reopen but because so many others are reopening prematurely that certainly wont be the case.
US zoos closed due to COVID-19 and duration
- Thread starter Great Argus
- Start date
I definitely agree with you, although my understanding is that NYC has been so hard hit that its new infection and death rates are now improving far faster than anywhere else in the country, and so many people were infected that it has something a lot closer to herd immunity than other places, especially those that are reopening without meeting public health guidelines for doing so. This indicates to me that NYC perhaps *should* be one of the first places to reopen but because so many others are reopening prematurely that certainly wont be the case.
Zooplantman
Well-Known Member
"Herd immunity"? The state recently estimated from a study that perhaps 20% of the population has been infected. There is no functional immunity. Almost 250 people in NY died from COVID-19 yesterday (which is actually an improvement). But with the new deadly condition that has shown up in little kids everything may change again
That said, the NY facilities (except the Aquarium) might be expected to open partially when the governor raises restrictions in perhaps a month. I imagine that lessons from other zoos that are already partially open will inform WCS's decisions on how to proceed.
Upstate Facilities are more likely to open up sooner as we have not been hit as hard, in reality Upstate was sparred and should open like many other states. Its really unfair to lump us in with what id going on in NYC as its a completely different situation. But Cuomo likes to be overly cautious and has even suggested extending the Pause until Early June, hopefully he is smarter than that and allows Upstate to open up faster
Five more zoos and another aquarium have re-opened or announced re-opening:
The remaining 3 North Dakota zoos (the Dakota Zoo, the Chahinkapa Zoo, and the Roosevelt Park Zoo) all re-opened yesterday, May 9. The fourth, Red River Zoo, had already re-opened a week or more ago: Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Bismarck, Minot zoos reopen May 9
The Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo in Kansas is re-opening tomorrow, May 11: Zoo reopening Monday
The Emerald Coast Zoo in Florida re-opened a week ago on May 4: Emerald Coast Zoo in Crestview reopens with 10 new babies
The Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut has planned a partial re-opening on May 23. The outdoor exhibits (belugas, seals, sea lions, and penguins) will be accessible to guests while the aquarium building itself will remain closed: Mystic Seaport plans May 23 partial reopening
The remaining 3 North Dakota zoos (the Dakota Zoo, the Chahinkapa Zoo, and the Roosevelt Park Zoo) all re-opened yesterday, May 9. The fourth, Red River Zoo, had already re-opened a week or more ago: Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Bismarck, Minot zoos reopen May 9
The Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo in Kansas is re-opening tomorrow, May 11: Zoo reopening Monday
The Emerald Coast Zoo in Florida re-opened a week ago on May 4: Emerald Coast Zoo in Crestview reopens with 10 new babies
The Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut has planned a partial re-opening on May 23. The outdoor exhibits (belugas, seals, sea lions, and penguins) will be accessible to guests while the aquarium building itself will remain closed: Mystic Seaport plans May 23 partial reopening
Zooplantman
Well-Known Member
Yes quite true. And (as you probably know) the governor has proposed opening the state region by region. I believe there are 9 proposed regions and they will open up on separate schedules. I can't help thinking that will not matter, though, as people will travel from wherever they are to wherever the open restaurants, bars, movie theaters, beaches, etc may be.
Another zoo has announced reopening:
The Central Florida Zoo will reopen May 13: Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens will reopen to public, establishes special hours for vulnerable guests
The Central Florida Zoo will reopen May 13: Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens will reopen to public, establishes special hours for vulnerable guests
Zooplantman
Well-Known Member
NYS has released this handy dandy dashboard to monitor how each region is doing in meeting the requirements to re-open
Regional Monitoring Dashboard
The governor of Arizona originally issued a state-wide closure through the end of April, which was extended two weeks and will expire at the end of this week (mid May). It seems it will not be extended again. With this in mind I am looking into the state's zoos and see no opening announcements for those currently closed but am surprised to learn there are at least two that never closed (except for their indoor areas). Here is a rundown of Arizona zoological facilities...
Currently closed (with no opening announcement)
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Butterfly Wonderland
Navajo Nation Zoo?
OdySea Aquarium
Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary?
Reid Park Zoo
Sea Life Aquarium
Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center
Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium & Safari Park
Currently operating as a modified drive-thru experience
Out Of Africa
Phoenix Zoo
R Lazy J Wildlife Ranch
Recently Reopened
Grand Canyon Deer Farm
Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch
Tucson Petting Zoo & Funny Foot Farm
Always open (outdoor areas never closed)
Bearizona
Keepers Of The Wild
Currently closed (with no opening announcement)
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Butterfly Wonderland
Navajo Nation Zoo?
OdySea Aquarium
Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary?
Reid Park Zoo
Sea Life Aquarium
Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center
Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium & Safari Park
Currently operating as a modified drive-thru experience
Out Of Africa
Phoenix Zoo
R Lazy J Wildlife Ranch
Recently Reopened
Grand Canyon Deer Farm
Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch
Tucson Petting Zoo & Funny Foot Farm
Always open (outdoor areas never closed)
Bearizona
Keepers Of The Wild
Wisconsin doesn't appear to be getting better. I believe all zoological facilities are currently closed. I wonder how this will affect places like Timbavati Wildlife Park, which is only opened seasonally.
I think these zoos will open very soon. It seems likely that the Supreme Court will rule in a few days that the governor can't keep anything closed any longer, and even if they don't I doubt the statewide closure will be extended (it currently ends late May, I don't remember the exact date.
Wile I am sure many of Wisconsin's privately owned zoos have been extremely affected by COVID-19, I doubt this was much of a blow to Timbavati specifically. Timbavati is popular because it is the the Dells, and very few people visit the Dells when it is too cold to swim!
Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy plans to reopen May 23rd.
~Thylo
~Thylo
Zoo'opolis in Indiana has a new update on their website, for your viewing pleasure. Like the previous one, this is in all caps on their website.
"Animal Friends, Is the PURPOSE of the Executive Order to protect? If it’s protection then ask yourself WHY Zoo’Opolis proposing to give ONLY private tours—had 3 police here Wednesday, probably to arrest the owner? They came to see if we were open and practicing social distancing, sanitation, and enforcing all “safety measures” and to arrest the owner, if open? Brown County chooses to say Zoo’Opolis on 17 acres can NOT have one family visit even when groups of 25 are allowed. WHY? What is going on? WE CAN NOT OPEN until groups of 500 are allowed. WHY? —We have over 100 animals. What about their care? Care requires money. Is the PURPOSE of the Executive Order to protect or to set precedence for a dictatorship or socialism?
Golf courses, with several men on a green can be OPEN. Parks with people milling around can be OPEN. Walmart where isles are not wide enough to ensure distance are OPEN. YET Zoo’Opolis, actually an animal park, is TOLD we can not open until AT LEAST June 14th. The projected soonest time when groups of 500 and zoo’s, aquariums, carnivals, and all amusement parks can open. WHY? One family on 17 acres isn’t safe enough? —WHAT’S GOING ON? PLEASE SHARE!
Kathleen Bowen"
"Animal Friends, Is the PURPOSE of the Executive Order to protect? If it’s protection then ask yourself WHY Zoo’Opolis proposing to give ONLY private tours—had 3 police here Wednesday, probably to arrest the owner? They came to see if we were open and practicing social distancing, sanitation, and enforcing all “safety measures” and to arrest the owner, if open? Brown County chooses to say Zoo’Opolis on 17 acres can NOT have one family visit even when groups of 25 are allowed. WHY? What is going on? WE CAN NOT OPEN until groups of 500 are allowed. WHY? —We have over 100 animals. What about their care? Care requires money. Is the PURPOSE of the Executive Order to protect or to set precedence for a dictatorship or socialism?
Golf courses, with several men on a green can be OPEN. Parks with people milling around can be OPEN. Walmart where isles are not wide enough to ensure distance are OPEN. YET Zoo’Opolis, actually an animal park, is TOLD we can not open until AT LEAST June 14th. The projected soonest time when groups of 500 and zoo’s, aquariums, carnivals, and all amusement parks can open. WHY? One family on 17 acres isn’t safe enough? —WHAT’S GOING ON? PLEASE SHARE!
Kathleen Bowen"
Metro Richmond is open as a drive-thru, $60 per car. I'm contemplating going just because you can drive your own car through the part that's normally the train (and can therefore stop when you want to take photos!). Wish they would have opened up some of the back parts, though. Drive-Thru Tour - Metro Richmond Zoo
Honestly I do agree but it is kind of dumb to put a rant like that on their website.
While I sort of agree with their sentiment, this is definitely not a professional way to go about this. Gives me a bad impression of the management.
A small Wisconsin farm park called Mulberry Lane Farm just reopened as a drive through. No real zoos yet but it won't be long I'm sure.
It seems very odd that some zoos are closing indoor areas when they reopen the zoo but some are basically reopening as they've always been. How are zoo determining this?
It seems very odd that some zoos are closing indoor areas when they reopen the zoo but some are basically reopening as they've always been. How are zoo determining this?
You think so? I haven't heard a concrete date for when quarantine is supposed to end.
The governor's safer-at-home order ends May 25. Due to a lawsuit by the Wisconsin Republican Party is likely it will end even sooner.
I don’t know if this applies to the thread but I saw that outdoor museums are included in Phase 2 of re-opening of certain California business and centers of activity. Would that apply to zoos in terms of an outdoor museum? It listed outdoor museums specifically and don’t know if it is purposely vague 