Roger Williams Park Zoo Reopening: Snow Leopards and Cheetahs and Moon Bears, Oh My!
Roger Williams Park Zoo to reopen with precautions in place amid COVID-19 pandemic.
A Binturong at Roger Williams Park Zoo. Photo courtesy of Roger Williams Park Zoo.
Rhode Island residents will be able to visit their favorite animals at Roger Williams Park Zoo this week, with a few new rules and regulations in place to keep guests safe.
On Monday, June 1 and Tuesday, June 2, Rhode Island residents who are active zoo members only are invited to spend time at the zoo. Then, on Wednesday, June 3, the zoo will be open exclusively to Rhode Island residents, followed by a full opening up to the public on Monday, June 8.
While buildings and other features including the carousel, interactive play areas and Bank RI Farmhouse Stage Wild Bunch performances will be closed to ensure the safety of all guests, there will still be plenty of animals to observe and fun to be had!
All tickets will now only be sold in advance online at rwpzoo.org. Guests can purchase tickets for entry from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the zoo will close at 4 p.m. Additionally, guests will be expected to park every other space to keep distance between zoo-goers. Spaces where guests will not be permitted to park will be marked off with an X.
Zoo workers will help guests to follow a one-way trip through the exhibits, to ensure social distancing between parties.
One of the requirements is that all zoo staff and guests will be required to wear masks at all times to keep both the animals and guests safe, according to Roger Williams Park Zoo executive director Dr. Jeremy Goodman.
“The entire staff is excited to welcome everyone back to the zoo,” he says. “We are enhancing cleaning procedures and following the state’s mandated requirement that everyone wear face masks. We are also placing reminders around the zoo emphasizing social distancing to keep all our guests and staff healthy and safe.There is no better place than our forty acres to enjoy nature, visit with animals we all love and engage in learning about wildlife and wild places.”
In addition to wearing masks and practicing social distancing, guests will have their temperatures checked before entering the zoo. Guests with temperatures above 100.4 will not be permitted to enter the zoo and will be asked to visit on another day.
Guests will also have the option of dining at the zoo. No outside food is allowed on the grounds, however, due to state regulations. All cafes have implemented new safety measures, while still offering guests the same snacks and other menu items they have enjoyed in the past.
The staff is continuing to follow state regulations and cleaning protocols including wiping down and sanitizing restrooms, tables and railings frequently throughout the day.
