Suzette Cook
The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo closed to the public on March 16th, but you can still check in with animal residents and zookeepers via Facebook and Instagram.
“We may be closed, but we want to assure you that all of the animals at the Zoo are still being cared for and receiving daily enrichment,” a March 18th post on the Facebook page Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo says.
They closed to the public because “The protection of the health and welfare of the community, our animal collection and staff is paramount,” the zoo posted. “But the operating staff, including our zookeepers, will continue working in order to provide the highest quality care to our animals. We are ensuring we have a surplus of food and medical supplies for our animals, and that keepers and staff are following all established protocol for continued health and safety.
“At this time there does not appear to be any threat to our animals, however, we are taking every precaution to ensure they are safe and their welfare is considered. We are hopeful that our community and the world get past this pandemic. For additional information and updates please refer to the Santa Fe College webpage sfcollege.edu/COVID19.”
Some animals at the zoo are giving advice of how to follow CDC standards during the COVID-19 pandemic.
PJ the tree kangaroo is a solitary animal in the wild so his social distancing skills are honed reports ‘one post.
“So I’ve been ahead of the curve with this retirement condo all to myself the past few years,” he says.
Follow along and learn about lemurs, how zookeepers prepare for daily feedings and what delicacy red-footed tortoises like to dine on.