MONTGOMERY, AL – After being closed since March 14, 2020 due to the Coronavirus-19 pandemic the Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum will re-open its gates on Friday, May 15, 2020 at 9:00 am with some modifications to its daily operations to ensure a safer experience each guest and maintain social distancing guidelines.
These modifications include, but are subject to change without notice:
-Limiting the number of guests in the Zoo to ensure a safer experience for everyone.
– Pre-purchasing admission tickets is recommended. Members are encouraged to reserve tickets as well (their admission is still free),
-Tickets may be purchased for arrival within a two-hour window. There will be a limited number of tickets available for each time slot.
-Tickets can be purchased by visiting montgomeryzoo.com.
-There will be a limited number of tickets available at the gate. This number will be determined by the number of guests in the Zoo at the time of arrival.
-All guests must enter and exit through the Zoo’s main gate. The Mann Museum entrance will be closed in order to monitor the number of guests in the park.
-Guests will be routed in one direction to ensure social distancing,
-Limiting the number of guests in the Gift Shops, Mann Wildlife Learning Museum, Reptile House and Stingray Bay,
-Restricting access to the playground equipment,
-Petting Zoo, Parakeet Cove, Stingray Bay and Giraffe Encounter will be viewable; however, encounters and feedings will be suspended,
-Suspending daily keeper talks and Behind the Scenes encounters,
-The train will run on the top of the hour for 30 minutes (10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00). Train will close on the bottom of the hour to clean and disinfect the cars.
-The Zoofari Skylift will run at the bottom of the hour for 30 minutes (10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30). Skylift will close on the top of the hour to clean and disinfect the seats.
Zoo staff will be required to wear face masks while in public areas of the Zoo where they are unable to maintain a six-foot distance between guests and/or staff. Measures are in place to disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as railings, tables, door handles, counter tops, etc. Certain animal viewing stations will have a secondary barricade to ensure a six foot distance is maintained for the health and safety of both guests and animals.
Signs will be posted throughout the Zoo about occupancy limitations for certain areas, reminders to travel in one direction and other reminders to help each guests have an enjoyable experience.
During the first week of the Zoo’s re-opening the Overlook Café will remain closed. There will be snacks, candy, drinks and other novelties available in both gift shops.
Guests will be encouraged to wear face coverings, maintain a six-foot distance from guests not in their party, wash hands or use hand sanitizer frequently, and observe all signs throughout the Zoo.
“Our staff has worked tirelessly for the last 60 days to ensure that our animals continue to receive the care and human interaction they need, clean up areas around the Zoo, habitat renovations and much more,” Marcia Woodard the Zoo’s Director explained. “We are excited to be re-opening to the public and look forward to seeing friends old and making new ones over the next few weeks and months” she concluded.
Guests are asked to be patient with Zoo staff as they work through this new business model and continue to correct issues as they arise.
Anyone planning a trip to the Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum should visit the Zoo’s website for information on the day’s events, purchasing tickets and what is allowed in the Zoo.
The Zoo’s website and social media pages will be updated daily to help answer questions about visiting the Zoo during this first phase of opening.
For more information about ticket purchases, hours of operations and restrictions the public is encourage to visit our website (montgomeryzoo.com) or call the Zoo at 334-625-4900.
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