(CN) — Since zoos across the country shuttered their doors to visitors to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, they’ve tapped their creativity to keep supporters engaged and money flowing. The result? Animal live-web cam shows have gone viral and drive-through zoo car tours have sold out.
US Zoo Leader Closed Longer than Expected
When the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park closed its doors March 16, zoo curator Rick Schwartz said they thought it would be closed for a couple weeks.
But the zoo has not yet reopened as California moves through Governor Gavin Newsom’s second stage of his reopening plan. It will likely reopen before the end of the month after the state released its guidelines for the reopening of museums, galleries, zoos and aquariums starting June 12.
While the San Diego Zoo was able to initially pay all employees for four weeks, Schwartz said they eventually furloughed some staff not involved in animal care, including ticket takers and food service workers.
For those who still reported to work, they were divided into two teams which never crossed paths to minimize potential exposure to Covid-19 for both animal caretakers and the staff.
Since primates, swine, carnivores and bats can contract coronavirus from humans – though the reaction in their bodies is different than the impact on people – Schwartz said workers are wearing personal protective equipment when caring for the animals.
Because primates can catch colds and other viruses from humans, those staff have worn face shields, masks and gowns when caring for those animals for years, Schwartz said.
They have since extended those bio-safety measures to protect other animals that could get coronavirus, which Schwartz said could last upwards of six months.
“Given my past experiences of dealing with biohazards, we maintain security when the threat is there and no longer do it if it’s not necessary to avoid wasting products and gloves,” said Schwartz, who has been in animal care for 27 years.
While the animals still get some interaction with their caretakers, Schwartz said they noticed “an immediate reaction” from the orangutans and gorillas who “always seem to enjoy watching people” when visitors are at the zoo.
Zoo Animals Going 'Viral' During Pandemic
To keep San Diego Zoo passholder members and guests engaged, the zoo has doubled-down on its live webcams and virtual tours.
Schwartz said pre-coronavirus, the zoo had popular gorilla and giraffe webcams, but have since added hippo and platypus webcams as well.
And animal fans are watching. The zoo has seen a 500% increase in webcam usage since the park closure.
“It’s an opportunity to relax and escape the situation, a retreat for people stuck at home,” Schwartz said.
“We have had the tools in place but are really relying on them as the only resort to feel connected to the zoo and safari park,” Schwartz added.
Dan Ashe, CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a 240-member industry accreditation nonprofit of which the San Diego Zoo is one of its most prominent members, said 93% of its members closed during the height of the pandemic.
Ashe said many of the zoos are in the same situation as San Diego, where they’ve been closed since mid-to-late March and their revenue stream has dried up.
And while many zoos have followed San Diego’s lead by engaging members online, they generally aren’t making any money through virtual safaris or webcams.
“Kids are watching online safaris and following penguins at the Shedd Aquarium, but they don’t make revenue from that. It keeps them in touch with visitors, but it doesn’t drive revenue for them,” Ashe said.