Getting you back to the zoo

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/05/2020 (2253 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If you have a group of wild things at home, you can finally help your youngsters burn off steam by taking them to meet the critters at the Assiniboine Park Zoo.

 The zoo reopened to the public on May 11, after being closed for eight weeks during the pandemic in order to help reduce the community spread of COVID-19.

“As a large and mostly outdoor attraction, we are very happy to be in a position to reopen and welcome visitors back to the zoo,” said Bruce Keats, chief operations officer of the Assiniboine Park Conservancy. “We look forward to providing an enjoyable visitor experience with modifications in place to protect the health and safety of our visitors, staff, volunteers and animals.”

Keats is expecting that parents of children who’ve been stuck inside at home will be among those lining up to see the animals.

“We’re also hoping to pick up the stay-cation crowd, who can’t visit their cottages, who can be hometown tourists. The same goes for anyone in Brandon and other nearby areas.”

Since the zoo was closed on March 18, the animals have all had regular care. The conservancy has also taken advantage of the lull in public visits to do overall maintenance and upkeep, largely behind the scenes.

“We’ve also done an IT project for our gate operations, along with an electronic map with QR codes that people can download onto their phones,” Keats said. “And we have our new online membership function set up.”

The Creature Feature videos that the zoo livestreamed on Facebook three times a week — featuring keepers up close with seals, tigers, polar bears, camels, musk ox and more — were a big hit during the shutdown. The livestreams had over 270,000 hits, according to Keats.

“We’ve decided to keep those videos going, as it gives the public a rare look at what happens behind the scenes.”

The zoo is reliant on its admission fees and concession sales, so the 58-day shutdown was hard financially. They’ve also lost revenue from event cancellations including spring break camps and school visits in May and June.

“We have campaign of donations for the animals’ food, and have raised $80,000 on that,” Keats said, adding that’s what it takes to feed the animals for approximately a month. The donation campaign is ongoing.

The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, there are some changes as to what visitors can expect.

Ticket sales have largely moved online to reduce contact with staff. There are on-site options for those who can’t buy online. Tickets purchased online are valid for one-time use any time within 90 days of purchase.

If visiting with children, bring your own stroller or wagon, as rentals will only be offered for wheelchairs and electric scooters.

The zoo plans to keep the maximum occupancy on its 80-acre site at 1,000 people at any time, according to Keats. For a full list of attractions and exhibits that are open, visit www.assiniboinepark.ca/COVID19-Zoo

“We’re also limiting human access to the tigers and other cats,” Keats said, in reaction to guidelines put in place by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Hand sanitizer is available at numerous locations. Most washrooms are open and cleaned three times daily. Signs, floor and directional pathway markings have been installed to encourage physical distancing and proper hygiene.

Elsewhere in Assiniboine Park, the Nature Playground is still closed, as is the Pavilion, the English Garden and the Leo Mol Garden.

“Our plan is to open the zoo first in Phase one of the provincial guidelines, and then look at how to reopen other areas in the park,” Keats said.