Peterborough Riverview Park and Zoo to reopen on November 26 after pandemic closure – Peterborough | The Canadian News

Riverview Park and Zoo, in Peterborough, Ontario, will reopen to the public on November 26, after having been closed, in addition to limited guided tours, for nearly two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jim Moloney, the zoo’s administrator and curator, said the staff hopes to have people back on the grounds.

“We are very excited to let everyone know that we have been given the go-ahead to reopen the zoo area to the visiting public,” Moloney said. “We have missed the public like crazy and have received a lot of comments from the public who are eager to return.”

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Moloney said the usual COVID-19 protocols, including physical distancing and wearing masks, will be in place at all times while on zoo grounds. He also said they have some new barriers to protect the animals.

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“Some of our animals are susceptible to COVID and we also need to protect them, so we just ask people not to cross those barriers and keep that extra distance,” Moloney said.

He added that proof of vaccination is not required to visit the zoo.

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And it seems that visitors are not the only ones to miss out on the experience. Cathy Mitchell, the zoo’s program supervisor, said some animals also noted the absence of the public.

“Not all animals will miss having people around,” Mitchell said. “But for certain species like our camels, lynxes, otters and meerkats, seeing people and visitors is part of their enrichment.”

Moloney said the reopening isn’t the only exciting thing going on. There will also be changes to the zoo’s iconic miniature train.

“The train that many of us have traveled and that we have brought our children or grandchildren to was bought in 1974 and when it was bought, it was actually a used train, so it takes many kilometers, many hours,” Moloney said. .

“About two million visitors have traveled by train over the years, but now we are in a position where we want to make sure things are reliable and we have to replace the train,” he said.

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But Moloney said don’t worry if you’re feeling homesick. The zoo plans to operate the train, pending pandemic restrictions, during the 2022 season.

As for what will happen to the aging locomotive, Moloney said they are not entirely sure yet, but are considering trade-in options to offset the cost of a newer model.

(Although, when asked, he didn’t rule out the idea of ​​the train staying somewhere on the zoo grounds.)

Moloney said they are raising money for the $ 650,000 price of a new train and are selling commemorative puzzles to make some money.

If you want to buy a puzzle or donate to the cause, you can visit the Riverview Park & ​​Zoo website.

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Reference-globalnews.ca

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