Birmingham Zoo to reopen with new guidelines for coronavirus prevention

Elephants at Birmingham Zoo

African bull elephants are among the animals at the Birmingham Zoo. The zoo plans to reopen on June 8-11, 2020, with new guidelines to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.(AL.com file photo/Frank Couch)

Ready to see some elephants, sea lions, zebras and giraffes? The Birmingham Zoo has been closed during the coronavirus pandemic, but the 122-acre complex plans to reopen June 8-11.

Visitors will find several changes at the zoo, all intended to promote social distancing and help to prevent the spread of coronavirus. These include restrictions on the number of visitors, a timed ticketing system, a face mask requirement, a one-way directional path and an outdoor-only experience.

The zoo, 2630 Cahaba Road, plans to open on June 8 for members and donors to its Emergency Animal Fund. (The fund was created in April to help feed more than 700 animals on site while the zoo was closed and there was no income from admissions.) Hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

On June 11, the zoo will reopen to the public, with the same hours. The overall plan is for the zoo to reopen in phases -- next week marks the start of phase one -- and comply with city, state and federal guidelines during the pandemic.

“Our staff is taking every precaution to keep our visitors and animals safe during every phase of reopening," Chris Pfefferkorn, the zoo’s president and CEO, said in a statement. "We are committed to providing a safe environment for our guests to enjoy the natural world and make memorable connections to wildlife.”

Here are some of the changes in place for next week:

  • A timed ticketing system will limit the number of visitors and help with physical distancing. Tickets will be issued in 30-minute blocks. Tickets are available at the zoo’s website for purchase via credit cards. Prices range from $12.95-$17.95. You can’t use cash to buy tickets, food or merchandise at the zoo.
  • The zoo grounds will be open, but buildings, interactive experiences, rides, shows and demonstrations, playgrounds and Henley Park will be closed.
  • Visitors will enter through the front gate and exit through the Children’s Zoo gate. A one-way directional path with markers on the ground will lead people through the zoo from entry to exit. Once you exit the zoo, you cannot re-enter using the the same ticket.
  • Visitors must wear face masks, except for children younger than age 2. Zoo staffers are required to wear face masks, as well.
  • Hand sanitizing stations have been installed throughout the zoo. Staffers will routinely clean high-touch areas such as handrails, viewing glass, door handles, restrooms and the sensory room.
  • Options for buying food on site have been reduced. Wild Burger and the Side Track concessions stand will be open. Other restaurants will be closed. The gift shop will be closed, but visitors can purchase merchandise at kiosks near the exit gate.
  • The zoo will have filling stations for water bottles, but drinking fountains will be disabled.
  • Stroller rentals will be not available.

The Birmingham Zoo closed on March 19, when the novel coronavirus began to spread across the United States. A virtual series of family programs was launched in May, featuring a Virtual Story Safari with picture books and videos of animals for younger children, and Digital Discovery Adventures intended as web-based classes for kids in grades 3-12.

Most entertainment venues in Jefferson County will remain closed until June 6, according to a May 22 order from Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson.

Birmingham Zoo directional map

This map shows the new one-way path visitors will take at the Birmingham Zoo when it reopens on June 8-11.(Courtesy of Birmingham Zoo)

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