The past few weeks have been uplifting at the Santa Barbara Zoo, with a new adorable baby and animals spotlighted in fun-loving social media posts.
Staff uploaded an avalanche of video and photo updates about the zoo’s animals as people shelter in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus/COVID-19.
A 5-year-old Humboldt penguin named Monty has a multipart video series featuring his field trips on empty zoo grounds. He waddles through the lush, grassy spaces and roams the tortoise house during recent adventures captured on video.
The male Masai giraffe calf named Twiga also made his debut on the zoo’s social media accounts.
Closing the zoo’s doors temporarily in response to COVID-19 is presenting challenges greater than any experiences in its 57-year history, and the organization is reeling from a sudden loss of revenue.
The zoo closed March 17 as a precautionary measure, and two days after, Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered all Californians to stay at home in an effort to minimize the spread of the novel coronavirus.
In accordance with guidelines from the state, all events at the zoo, education programs and other meetings have been canceled through May.
The organization is taking proactive measures to ensure the well-being of employees’ routine and animals. Health and safety is the zoo’s highest priority, said Rich Block, CEO of the Santa Barbara Zoo for more than 20 years.
“It’s a challenging time, but the level of care has not diminished at all,” Block said. “In some cases, exceptional opportunities have developed.”
COVID-19 precautions are already in place at the zoo, including implementing a higher degree of personal protective equipment — wearing coveralls, eye protection, face coverings and more — for animal care staff who work with primate and cat species.
Zoo employees continue to show up to full-time work as usual. Almost a quarter of the zoo’s full-time employees are dedicated to animal care and animal health, Block said.
The animals rely on personnel for their care and food.
“It’s an essential duty and responsibility for us,” Block said. “They (employees) are reporting for work and taking care of the animals that they have grown to know closely over the years of working at the zoo.”
Block, along with some other zoo staff, are working remotely.
“There has been no reduction in the number of people taking care of the animals, and no reduction in their time,” Block said. “We need to make sure employees are healthy because we can’t afford to reduce the number of people that are taking care of the animals.”
The zoo’s animal health experts are encouraging physical distancing from primates, cats and other mammalian species as much as is feasible, according to the organization. Other safety practices include limiting access to primate and field housing areas to necessary staff, reinforcing the use of foot baths for staff in mammal areas, and continued health-monitoring for animals.
Zoo health experts are following professional standards and evolving guidance from public health officials, as well as updates from local and national veterinary networks about potential risks and care.
The zoo went online as a result of COVID-19. While it is closed to visitors, employees are providing delightful content on social media platforms. Viewers get a behind-the-scenes look at the zoo, as well as virtual connections with a variety of animals.
The Santa Barbara Zoo’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts have the latest animal expeditions, virtual keeper talks, plus video and picture updates about the zoo and its residents. They are free to view for all.
“We are in a unique opportunity because we are closed to the public,” zoo marketing manager Lauren Gonzales said. “We have a lot more opportunities and free time to work with the keepers and do creative things.”
For the first time, online videos have captured scenes of animals interacting with other zoo animals. A photograph shows a 16-year-old porcupine named Bam Bam meeting a Western lowland gorilla behind the exhibit glass that separates him from visitors.
“It’s always fun to see the reactions from both sides,” Gonzales said. “We have some other adventures coming down the pipeline.
“We all equally care about these animals and feel an attachment to them, and care about their well-being.”
The virtual visits are an opportunity to engage with community members and stay tuned into the animals, but it isn’t making up for the lost revenue in daily admissions. More than 95 percent of the zoo’s annual budget is generated through operations, Block said. One of Santa Barbara County’s largest paid tourist attractions, it typically sees about 480,000 guests annually.
Community financial support is needed now more than ever. The organization began a fundraising campaign for emergency operation funds, with a goal of raising $25,000. As of Friday evening, the zoo had raised nearly $22,000.
The private, nonprofit organization is relying on cash reserves to continue to operate, according to Block.
“There have been people in the public who have stepped up and made donations,” he said. “All of that helps because the thing that won’t go away is the cost of caring for our animals.”
Click here for more information about how to support the zoo during COVID-19 recovery.
— Noozhawk staff writer Brooke Holland can be reached at bholland@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
