After being closed to the public and its members for 166 days because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Los Angeles Zoo reopened to all in a limited capacity on Wednesday, Aug. 26.
The shutdown, which began on March 13, was the longest in the Zoo’s history. It has been at its current location since 1966, two miles away from the Griffith Park Zoo facility it replaced. The Griffith Park Zoo was first opened in 1912, and housed a total of 15 animals.
Visitors older than age 2 and zoo staff members are required to wear face coverings at all times while inside the grounds. Zoo officials also plan to monitor the amount of people on the property at one time. Hand sanitizer stations will be available throughout the grounds, and markers will be visible to help direct a new traffic flow and continue social distancing.
Featured attractions including such as in-person presentations, giraffe feedings, Papiano Playpark, the contact yard at the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo, the Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel, and similar exhibits that require close physical interaction are unavailable for the time being.
Advance reservations to visit the Zoo are also required.
“The world has changed over the last several months, and so has your Los Angeles Zoo,” noted said Zoo Director and CEO Denise M. Verret, in preparation for the reopening.
“We are thrilled to be able to yet again provide our community with an outdoor, enriching experience that connects people with nature and the animals in our care,” Verret said.
The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, draws nearly two million visitors each year, and is home to a diverse collection of more than 1,400 animals representing 270 different species, 58 of which are endangered.
Its lush grounds on 133 acres feature various plant species from around the world and California including many rare and endangered species.
The Zoo is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. Admission is $22 for adults and $17 for children ages 2 to 12. For more information, call (323) 644-4200 or visit the Zoo website at www.lazoo.org.