SeeCalifornia.com

California zoos open every day of the year include (left to right) Santa Barbara Zoo, San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, and San Francisco Zoo.

There are over a dozen zoos & aquariums in California that rely on you. Supported by members of the public, corporations, and other sources, these hubs of education, conservation and entertainment aren’t used to shutting down–indefinitely! They are all closed, however, as of this posting.

So what’s a poor animal locked up in a cage to do when humans/caregivers are locked up, too? According to several major zoos, you don’t have to worry about animal cruelty. If anything, the bears, giraffes, California condors, apes and zebras are having a field day during the COVID-19 shut-down of society. In their safe havens the animal, birds, snakes and bugs are being fed, bathed and are receiving care 24/7.

Several days ago at San Francisco Zoo the staff’s favorite grizzly bear sisters found orphaned at 18 months, Kiona and Kachina, celebrated their 17th birthday. It was a joyful occasion.  Essential animal care and operations staff remain on-site during the zoo’s closure while non-essential employees work remotely.

What is San Diego Zoo doing to protect animals in their care from coronavirus? Zoo officials cite the CDC, saying there is no evidence that coronavirus is transmissible from humans back to animals and no animals in the United States have been identified with the virus.

So the zoos that never close are only closed to you. While they ask for support (financial contributions, memberships, etc.,) they want the public to come back soon when they’re allowed to reopen.