The Zoo Comes to You

This week, the most frequently shared video that I saw on my newsfeed was not - directly - related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  It was a news story of a flock of penguins at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, who had been turned loose in the halls of the aquarium to peruse the exhibit galleries.  In the midst of the growing unease - bordering in some cases on panic - brought about by the disease, it provided a welcome moment of humor for those in need.

The penguins were just the most prominent of an increasing number of zoo and aquarium videos and photos that have been circulating this past week.  Virtually every zoo and aquarium in the US is closed now through at least the end of the month, quite possibly longer.  These are hard times for our facilities, cut off from our visitors at the time of year when visitation normally begins to pick up and fill our coffers.  It's also hard on visitors.


Many people are stuck at home, possibly with kids who can't go back to school.  The lucky adults may be working from home.  The unlucky ones may be out of work.  The really unlucky ones may have a loved one in the hospital, stricken by coronavirus.  No one is enjoying themselves much, with the possible exception of the dogs, who now have their people home all day and can get an almost unlimited stream of belly-rubs.


During these rough times, zoo and aquarium staff are coming in to care for their animals - sometimes as usual, sometimes with new quarantine measures in place, under the watchful, paranoid eyes of managers, fearful of any sign of the disease among their staff.  Besides the daily care, there is at least one other service we can provide.  We can continue to share the animals - remotely, it's true, but share them anyway.  It let's the people know that the animals are all doing well. It let's the people know that not everything has fallen apart.


A video clip is no substitute for hearing macaws screaming in real life, or running your fingers over a python's scales, or locking eyes with a tiger and knowing that she's looking at you and you alone.  Right now, it's all that we can give most people - free of charge and available several times a day.  Keep an eye on the social media of your favorite zoo or aquarium.  Chances are, they're trying to offer a little something to cheer you up in these rough days.