By The Canadian Press on May 14, 2020.<\/p>\n
TORONTO The Toronto Zoo is planning to reopen as a drive-thru experience once the province gives it the green light.<\/p>\n
A spokeswoman for the zoo says a pre-booked driving route will allow visitors to see the animals from the comfort and safety of their own vehicle.<\/p>\n
She says visitors will travel along a 3.4-kilometre route through the park.<\/p>\n
Pivoting to drive-thru is one of numerous options zoos and aquariums are eyeing as they figure out how to safely reopen now that the spread of COVID-19 is slowing across much of Canada.<\/p>\n
The executive director of Canadas Accredited Zoos and Aquariums says the organizations members are also looking at providing masks to visitors and having them walk along a predetermined route.<\/p>\n
Jim Facette says roughly two-thirds of accredited zoos and aquariums have made use of government assistance, and this weeks federal announcement on help for the tourism sector is expected to bolster the industry.<\/p>\n
But zoos have also had to make some compromises, including asking for donations from the public to make sure they can feed their animals while continuing conservation work.<\/p>\n
And the Calgary Zoo announced this week it will be returning two giant pandas on loan from China because the COVID-19 pandemic has caused problems with getting enough bamboo to feed them.<\/p>\n
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2020.<\/p>\n
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Toronto Zoo pivots to 'drive-thru experience' as safe alternative in COVID era - Medicine Hat News<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By The Canadian Press on May 14, 2020. TORONTO The Toronto Zoo is planning to reopen as a drive-thru experience once the province gives it the green light. A spokeswoman for the zoo says a pre-booked driving route will allow visitors to see the animals from the comfort and safety of their own vehicle. Continue reading