Metro Richmond Zoo temporarily opens for drive-thru tours
RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - The Metro Richmond Zoo announced it will temporarily open drive-thru tours for guests.
Starting May 7, guests can enjoy narrated and educational tours while in the comfort and safety of their own vehicles. It costs $60 per vehicle.
The tours will last approximately one hour and allow easy access for social distancing.
“We have over a mile of paths there’s a lot of animals, you’ll be creeping along pretty slow and that gives you the chance to learn about them,” said Jim Andelin, Zoo Director.
Guests will learn about chimpanzees, giraffes, cheetahs, kangaroos, monkeys, orangutans, penguins, and many others. But you will miss some of the zoo’s usual attractions - feeding the giraffes and birds.
But you will get to still see the animals; over the past several weeks the animals have still needed care that totals over $8,000 a day, despite no revenue coming in. The zoo was closed during spring break, the zoo’s busiest week.
“Our operating costs are very expensive to feed all these animals and we have staff that takes care of them,” said Andelin.
Tickets can be purchased on Metro Richmond Zoo’s website.
Visits will be scheduled and capacity will be limited.
The tours will be available Monday through Saturday, starting Thursday. The first car will be let in at 9:30 a.m., the last one will be in at 4:30 p.m.
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