by Michelle C. Pardo<\/p>\n
The COVID pandemic has affected nearly every aspect of our daily lives.\u00a0 While the media has been rightly focused on the overwhelming effect on our health care system and impacts on hourly and tipped workers and small businesses, coverage of our country’s zoological institutions during this worldwide crisis has been largely absent.\u00a0 But the impact on zoological facilities across our country is real and profound.\u00a0 The loss of revenue from ticket and concession sales, special events, and donations will likely hamper zoo operations for the foreseeable future.\u00a0 Cash-strapped Americans may have less available funds to donate to non-profit organizations.\u00a0 But zoological institutions may have much more difficulty cutting costs and limiting operations than other types of businesses and face a much more severe financial impact from the pandemic.<\/p>\n
Unlike businesses that can order all employees to work from home and shut their doors, zoos, aquariums, marine mammal and wildlife parks have much more complex operational challenges.\u00a0 First and foremost, even during a pandemic, our zoological facilities must continue to provide their animals with daily care, including husbandry, veterinary care, and enrichment.\u00a0 That means that animal caregivers, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, zoo management and personnel cannot just shelter in place at home and wait out the pandemic.\u00a0\u00a0Maintaining zoo operations requires a healthy staff that can come to work, even if children and family members are home from school or sick.\u00a0 Zoos are also struggling with supply chain issues.\u00a0\u00a0The amount of food, products and supplies that zoos require to maintain their animal collection is staggering, and the impact on deliveries and product availability will likely continue to be a pressing issue.<\/p>\n
Some zoos are turning to creative measures to engage with the public in a “virtual” way.\u00a0 From posting animal videos on social media, to animal sponsorship (“adopting” an animal), these methods attempt to link the public with animals during this time of crisis and create avenues for sponsorship and donations.<\/p>\n
What can we do to support our zoos, aquariums, marine mammal and wildlife parks during this difficult time?<\/p>\n
And, if you know someone who works with animals — from caregivers, to veterinary staff, to those who maintain their food supply and habitats, thank them for what they are doing and pledge your support.\u00a0 We are, after all, in this together!<\/p>\n
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by Michelle C. Pardo The COVID pandemic has affected nearly every aspect of our daily lives.\u00a0 While the media has been rightly focused on the overwhelming effect on our health care system and impacts on hourly and tipped workers and small businesses, coverage of our country’s zoological institutions during this worldwide crisis has been largely … <\/p>\n