Zoo Atlanta Reopens With New Policies, Protocols In Effort To Ensure Safety

May 22nd, 2020

Conservationists flew 30 white rhinos from South Africa to Rwanda last week in what they say is the largest single rhino translocation ever. Pictured above is a white rhino that Zoo Atlanta welcomed in 2020.

Zoo Atlanta

Even though Zoo Atlanta staff members are gearing up for visitors this Memorial Day weekend, business, as usual, is not the case.

After being closed for nearly two months under Gov. Brian Kemp’s shelter-in-place order due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Raymond King, president and CEO of Zoo Atlanta, says his team has implemented new policies and protocols in an effort to ensure safety at the zoo.

Raymond King, president and CEO of Zoo Atlanta, joins "Closer Look" to discuss the reopening of the zoo. (Courtesy of Zoo Atlanta) — Raymond King, president and CEO of Zoo Atlanta, joins “Closer Look” to discuss the reopening of the zoo. (Courtesy of Zoo Atlanta)

“We spent over a month planning for reopening, not knowing when that would occur, but wanted to make sure we were prepared in a safe fashion for our teammates, guests and animals, “ said King.”

On Friday’s edition of “Closer Look,” King told the show’s host, Rose Scott, that some of those changes include online timed ticketing, limitations on the number of people at the zoo at one time and the establishment of one-way traffic routes.

“We want our teammates to feel good about it, and the public,” said King. “I think the best gauge of that is the fact the first day that we reopened, we sold out of all of our time slots till about 3:30 in the afternoon.”

During the conversation, King also shared that out of precaution, the staff at the zoo are outfitted in personal protective equipment and are frequently disinfecting touchpoints, restroom touchpoints and restrooms.

He also shared that hand-sanitizing stations are set up throughout the zoo and that guests should practice social distancing at all times and are encouraged to wear masks.

We’ve gotten nothing but strong, positive feedback, and people have been really impressed with all of the protocols we’ve put in place,” King said.

In addition to new protocols and policies, King says Zoo Atlanta recently welcomed a new 4,300-pound white rhinoceros.

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