In accordance with the new regional stay-at-home orders, along with those from state and local public health officials, the Santa Barbara Zoo will close temporarily to the public, effective Monday, Dec. 7.

Only essential zoo employees will continue to report to work, in order to care for the animals and facility. Zoo officials will continue to stay in close communication with public health officials and follow the updates closely, and will re-evaluate next steps following their guidance and directives. 

While the zoo will be temporarily closed, the community can visit sbzoo.org as well as their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) as a way to enjoy the zoo from the comfort of home.

The zoo will continue to communicate any changes via its website, emails, and social media channels as new information becomes available.

The Santa Barbara Zoo remains dedicated to the welfare of the nearly 500 animals in its care, and saving animals in the wild through local conservation efforts. For those who would like to help, the zoo is accepting donations to its emergency fund at https://sbzoo.pivvit.com/support-the-zoo-during-covid-19-recovery.