Support Your Zoo

As you may know, the Zoo has been closed since the second week of March in order to take precautions in the COVID-19 pandemic. We know you miss the Zoo and wanted to share some updates as well as a few ways you can support the Zoo during this time.

• Zoos around the state including ours still have many people coming to work each day as “essential” employees. Our keepers, animal curators, veterinarians and facilities teams are coming in to care for the animals and maintain the ground and habitats. We are following all guidelines for a safe work environment, and we are grateful for our team for coming in despite the challenging environment.

• Our animals are being cared for each and every day. This includes healthy food, enrichment and veterinary checks.

• In fact, you can see our animals and members of our staff daily on the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Virtual Classroom sponsored by Raising Cane’s. Tune into Facebook each day at 11 a.m.

• Our horticulture team also continues to work on a limited schedule to do spring clean-up. As part of the larger Cleveland Metroparks network, zoo teams are also collaborating with those in the park system to provide staffing support as needed.

• Construction on the Daniel Maltz Rhino Reserve continues, and we are excited to celebrate the opening of this new habitat with you this summer.

Besides keeping in touch with us through email, on our social media pages and through the Virtual Classroom, there are things you can do now to support your zoo. Generous support will be vital this year and for the near future.

Here’s how you can help:

• Renew your membership today. Memberships will be extended to cover the length of the closure, so renewing in April or May provides us needed operating support without shorting you time to visit once we reopen.

• Buy a gift membership for a friend or colleague.

• Make a donation to the Zoo Society’s Zoo Fund, which provides needed operating support for all aspects of the Zoo including caring for and feeding the animals.

• Make plans to visit when the Zoo reopens!