US zoos closed due to COVID-19 and duration

TinoPup said:
I'm surprised AZA is comfortable letting some of their member zoos open, especially given that we know felids can get the virus.
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I also don't think the AZA has much power in the situation. They are recommending zoos follow local guidelines first and open when they feel they can do so safely. The AZA is actually very trusting of member zoos doing things on their own without the organization's permission. Things like when they open isn't really what they'd be concerned about. They would mostly be concerned about guest, animal, and staff safety and if the zoo believes themselves to be prepared, the AZA most likely would not mind. Transmission to big cats and other vulnerable species is well known about so there is no member zoo that is taking those things lightly. What we will probably see with these first zoos opening up is no training demos or encounters with these species. Staff are already implementing new protocols to keep keeper contact to a minimum so even if a staff gets sick, it is very unlikely an animal catches it from them.
 
Echobeast said:
I also don't think the AZA has much power in the situation. They are recommending zoos follow local guidelines first and open when they feel they can do so safely. The AZA is actually very trusting of member zoos doing things on their own without the organization's permission. Things like when they open isn't really what they'd be concerned about. They would mostly be concerned about guest, animal, and staff safety and if the zoo believes themselves to be prepared, the AZA most likely would not mind. Transmission to big cats and other vulnerable species is well known about so there is no member zoo that is taking those things lightly. What we will probably see with these first zoos opening up is no training demos or encounters with these species. Staff are already implementing new protocols to keep keeper contact to a minimum so even if a staff gets sick, it is very unlikely an animal catches it from them.
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That all makes sense! Just a little surprised to see them not maybe waiting a week or something to see how things go. I'm definitely only going to be visiting AZA zoos for the time being, at least (when/if ones near me open).

In other news, Alaska Zoo is going to be opening today, as well.
 
TinoPup said:
That all makes sense! Just a little surprised to see them not maybe waiting a week or something to see how things go. I'm definitely only going to be visiting AZA zoos for the time being, at least (when/if ones near me open).

In other news, Alaska Zoo is going to be opening today, as well.
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I think we will see them all cautiously reopen as soon as they are allowed. Given the high operating expenses I don't doubt many of them are feeling the affects of no visitors.
 
Some updates on opening facilities:

- Oklahoma City Zoo reopened to members today and will reopen to the general public on May 7. Guests will be restricted to a modified pathway that views the majority of exhibits and the overall number of guests per day will be limited: Coronavirus in Oklahoma: OKC Zoo to reopen next week with Outdoor Safari Walk
- Chattanooga Zoo in Tennessee is reopening May 9. Tickets are online only, some indoor exhibits will remain closed, paths will be one-way, and visitors must wear face masks and social distance: Chattanooga Zoo to reopen Saturday with new guidelines, precautions amid COVID-19
The nearby Tennessee Aquarium will remain closed for now.
- Abilene Zoo in Texas will re-open May 18, with guidelines that follow those of the CDC and Texas state health department: Abilene Zoo to reopen May 18
- Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa will re-open June 1. They will limit visitors to 50% overall capacity and 25% capacity in buildings. Six feet of social distance will be required and enforced; a number of other modifications can be found here: ZooTampa plans to reopen June 1 with limited capacity
- The Knoxville Zoo's reopening plan has been approved by the county. The exact date is not yet known, but the zoo is aiming for "middle of May" (which would be in the next 2 weeks): Zoo Knoxville hopes to reopen by mid-May with safety procedures in place

These updates have been posted in their respective news threads as well.
 
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St Augustine Alligator Farm reopened on May 1st and Sarasota Jungle Gardens will be reopening on May 7th.
 
Beardsley Zoo will presumably be reopening at the end of May along with the rest of CT businesses.

~Thylo
 
The stay at home orders are supposed to end May 25 in Wisconsin, presumably most businesses will open then too. However, there is talk of moving this date (both earlier and later).
 
Here in Arizona, the governor's original stay-at-home order was set to expire April 30. He extended it for two weeks. I have not heard any updates as to whether or not zoos will open in mid May (though one or two privately owned safari parks have been open as drive-thru only experiences already).

Edit - unlike most of the country, summer is the slow season in the Arizona desert with very few tourists in town and many winter residents leaving. Winter and Spring are the busiest tourist seasons so being closed then hurt our zoos more and we will be less likely than zoos in say, California, to recover by opening for summer. (The exception possibly being Bearizona that is in a cooler location and near heavily visited Grand Canyon). I know from experience that March and April are BY FAR the busiest months off the year for Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, where the museum is jam packed. I am sure they earn most of their annual income from those two months so this was the worst time for this to hit for them (not that there is a good time for a pandemic, but I hope you know what I mean).
 
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ThylacineAlive said:
Beardsley Zoo will presumably be reopening at the end of May along with the rest of CT businesses.
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birdsandbats said:
The stay at home orders are supposed to end May 25 in Wisconsin, presumably most businesses will open then too. However, there is talk of moving this date (both earlier and later).
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Arizona Docent said:
Here in Arizona, the governor's original stay-at-home order was set to expire April 30. He extended it for two weeks. I have not heard any updates as to whether or not zoos will open in mid May (though one or two privately owned safari parks have been open as drive-thru only experiences already).
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Worth noting here that the dates zoos open up may not align with when their respective states and nearby businesses open up. I have heard nothing about Nashville opening despite Tennessee's lifting of restrictions (Memphis Zoo has submitted a reopening plan pending approval), and all three major zoological facilities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area will remain closed for the time being.
 
Coelacanth18 said:
Worth noting here that the dates zoos open up may not align with when their respective states and nearby businesses open up. I have heard nothing about Nashville opening despite Tennessee's lifting of restrictions (Memphis Zoo has submitted a reopening plan pending approval), and all three major zoological facilities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area will remain closed for the time being.
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Indeed, though Beardsley said they hoped to reopen along with the rest of the state.

~Thylo
 
Coelacanth18 said:
Worth noting here that the dates zoos open up may not align with when their respective states and nearby businesses open up. I have heard nothing about Nashville opening despite Tennessee's lifting of restrictions (Memphis Zoo has submitted a reopening plan pending approval), and all three major zoological facilities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area will remain closed for the time being.
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True, although I think many probably will.

Far as California, I have not yet heard of any facility with a confirmed reopening date. However we are also not yet out from under shelter in place. However it is likely some zoos will start reopening as the outer counties are reopening.
 
More updates on opening zoos and aquaria:

- Zoo Knoxville has now set their opening date to May 18. Buildings (except restrooms) and play spaces will remain closed. Tickets are online only and date-specific, the number of guests will be limited, and masks are "strongly encouraged but not required": Zoo Knoxville is hoping to reopen May 18 with safety procedures in place
- Zoo Montana in Billings re-opened to members yesterday and will re-open for the general public on May 11. Attendance will be capped at 500 people a day (10% of capacity), zoo will only be open for 5 hours a day, no groups over 10 people allowed, non-restroom buildings closed, playgrounds are open and sanitized (but children must be supervised), and tickets are online only: ZooMontana reopening to public
- The Jacksonville Zoo will re-open this weekend (May 8-10); the exact plan and guidelines are TBD: Reopening Jacksonville: Restrictions lifted at Duval beaches Wednesday, Zoo reopens this weekend
- Sedgwick County Zoo is re-opening May 21 with staggered admission and limited crowd capacity. Only 1,000 people a day will be let in (will be 2,000 starting June 1), tickets must be purchased online, and the tickets are timed-arrival (but no limit on how long visitors can stay). Masks are strongly encouraged and will be sold on zoo grounds. Paths are generally one-way, the number of people in buildings will be monitored by staff, and (most notably) the great ape exhibits will remain closed due to potential transmission risk: https://www.kansas.com/entertainment/article242501111.html#adnrb=900000
- Two aquariums are now re-opening as well. The Florida Aquarium in Tampa will re-open May 15; tickets are online only and touch exhibits and the play area will be closed: The Florida Aquarium to reopen on May 15
and the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi is re-opening May 18, with unknown guidelines: Texas State Aquarium reopening May 18

These, along with all other updates to this thread, will be shared in their respective news threads.
 
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Phoenix Zoo is opening as a drive-thru experience for the weekends of May 8-10 and 15-17. They are the third Arizona zoo to temporarily reconfigure as drive-thru only, joining Out Of Africa and R Lazy J Wildlife Ranch.
 
Coelacanth18 said:
More updates on opening zoos and aquaria:

- Zoo Knoxville has now set their opening date to May 18. Buildings (except restrooms) and play spaces will remain closed. Tickets are online only and date-specific, the number of guests will be limited, and masks are "strongly encouraged but not required": Zoo Knoxville is hoping to reopen May 18 with safety procedures in place
- Zoo Montana in Billings re-opened to members yesterday and will re-open for the general public on May 11. Attendance will be capped at 500 people a day (10% of capacity), zoo will only be open for 5 hours a day, no groups over 10 people allowed, non-restroom buildings closed, playgrounds are open and sanitized (but children must be supervised), and tickets are online only: ZooMontana reopening to public
- The Jacksonville Zoo will re-open this weekend (May 8-10); the exact plan and guidelines are TBD: Reopening Jacksonville: Restrictions lifted at Duval beaches Wednesday, Zoo reopens this weekend
- Sedgwick County Zoo is re-opening May 21 with staggered admission and limited crowd capacity. Only 1,000 people a day will be let in (will be 2,000 starting June 1), tickets must be purchased online, and the tickets are timed-arrival (but no limit on how long visitors can stay). Masks are strongly encouraged and will be sold on zoo grounds. Paths are generally one-way, the number of people in buildings will be monitored by staff, and (most notably) the great ape exhibits will remain closed due to potential transmission risk: https://www.kansas.com/entertainment/article242501111.html#adnrb=900000
- Two aquariums are now re-opening as well. The Florida Aquarium in Tampa will re-open May 15; tickets are online only and touch exhibits and the play area will be closed: The Florida Aquarium to reopen on May 15
and the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi is re-opening May 18, with unknown guidelines: Texas State Aquarium reopening May 18

These, along with all other updates to this thread, will be shared in their respective news threads.
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Are the restrictions set by the zoo, the State or Nationally? I cant see how it can be the latter as everywhere is so different.
Why are aquariums opening, but zoo animal houses staying closed?
 
Andrew Swales said:
Are the restrictions set by the zoo, the State or Nationally? I cant see how it can be the latter as everywhere is so different.
Why are aquariums opening, but zoo animal houses staying closed?
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It depends. Most follow state and county regulations. Federal or national regulations usually aren't specific enough for zoos and they usually just follow the local regulations.
 
Three more zoos and three more aquariums have announced their May re-opening dates, with one having opened today. Guidelines and restrictions can be found in the posted links.

Oklahoma Aquarium re-opened May 8 (today): Oklahoma Aquarium to reopen, implement operational changes
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Utah will re-open May 9 (tomorrow): Coronavirus updates: Loveland Living Planet Aquarium to reopen Saturday with limited capacity
Ellen Trout Zoo in Texas will re-open May 11: Ellen Trout Zoo says animals miss you, announces reopening plan
Memphis Zoo in Tennessee will re-open May 13: https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis...-zoo-prepares-to-reopen-gets-some-public.html
Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida will re-open May 15: Clearwater Marine Aquarium to reopen on May 15
Dickerson Park Zoo in Missouri will re-open May 29: Dickerson Park Zoo reopening in late May
 
Coelacanth18 said:
Three more zoos and three more aquariums have announced their May re-opening dates, with one having opened today. Guidelines and restrictions can be found in the posted links.

Oklahoma Aquarium re-opened May 8 (today): Oklahoma Aquarium to reopen, implement operational changes
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Utah will re-open May 9 (tomorrow): Coronavirus updates: Loveland Living Planet Aquarium to reopen Saturday with limited capacity
Ellen Trout Zoo in Texas will re-open May 11: Ellen Trout Zoo says animals miss you, announces reopening plan
Memphis Zoo in Tennessee will re-open May 13: https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis...-zoo-prepares-to-reopen-gets-some-public.html
Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida will re-open May 15: Clearwater Marine Aquarium to reopen on May 15
Dickerson Park Zoo in Missouri will re-open May 29: Dickerson Park Zoo reopening in late May
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I'm surprised to see so many Aquariums opening back up. It's at least possible to social distance in zoos if you have the proper limitations, but I don't see how that would be possible with aquariums, which usually have narrow paths and are always congested.
 
TZDugong said:
I'm surprised to see so many Aquariums opening back up. It's at least possible to social distance in zoos if you have the proper limitations, but I don't see how that would be possible with aquariums, which usually have narrow paths and are always congested.
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If you are restricting the number of people at a time then it probably works. However given the "primary" aquariums are all still closed who knows.

(Primary meaning Georgia, Shedd, MBA, New York, Tennessee, and DWA, due to size and popularity)
 
Great Argus said:
If you are restricting the number of people at a time then it probably works. However given the "primary" aquariums are all still closed who knows.

(Primary meaning Georgia, Shedd, MBA, New York, Tennessee, and DWA, due to size and popularity)
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I mean who knows how long the NYC collections will be closed for...

~Thylo
 
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