This week, as the city entered Phase 4 of reopening, and after more than four months of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Central Park Zoo reopened to the public. The city's three other Wildlife Conservation Society zoos — the Bronx Zoo, the Prospect Park Zoo, and the Queens Zoo — have also reopened, while the New York Aquarium at Coney Island remains closed.
The first groups waiting to get in at the Central Park Zoo on Friday morning were greeted by a giddy welcoming team of masked-up workers and, almost simultaneously, a sudden downpour that threatened to ruin the fun. Thankfully, the rain stopped shortly after the famous Delacorte Clock chimed and twirled at 10 o'clock, and the humans rushed in to play that most popular modern zoo game: where the heck are the animals?
As usual, the sea lions and snow monkeys were happy to put on a show, but the snow leopards were much more coy, and the only grizzly bear sighting was a single head — and impressively long claws — poking out of a cave. The red panda was a no show at his pagoda, and, sadly but understandably, the indoor Penguin House and Tropic Zone remain shuttered. (You can still see the saki monkeys scampering about their cage on the facade of the latter, however.)
Over at the Children's Zoo, there are plenty of creatures to gawk at, and you can actually touch, and even feed, many of them. The Patagonian cavy, which are basically huge guinea pigs, are always a pleasure, and there are about a dozen different sorts of "hot ducks" to help you heal that Mandarin Patinkin broken heart of yours. The goats are unbelievably cute, of course, though they are clearly there for the pellets.
Pandemic protocols are firmly in place. Admittance to all WCS zoos is by timed ticket only, to limit crowd size. You must buy a ticket prior to your visit (the prices range from around $9 to $20). Masks are required at all times (compliance was pretty much universal among adults on Friday, even with most kids), and there are distancing reminders and hand sanitizer stations everywhere. Bathrooms are open, as is the gift shop and the Dancing Crane cafe. More details can be found at centralparkzoo.com.
