Previous Updates

June, 2020 –

The Zoo Continues to Prepare to Reopen With a Modified, Safe Zoo Experience

The Los Angeles County Health Department issued guidance yesterday allowing several categories of businesses and organizations in Los Angeles County, including zoos, the option to reopen to the public Friday, June 12. The Los Angeles Zoo, which closed to the public on March 13, will remain closed while it continues making preparations for its reopening.

The Zoo’s reopening plan will create a modified, safe Zoo experience for guests, staff, and the animals. A few key safety measures include requiring staff and guests to wear face coverings, installing directional signage encouraging social distancing between groups, increasing cleaning and sanitization practices, and the closure of indoor spaces and high touch areas.

The Zoo tentatively hopes to reopen some time in July. For more information, please follow the Los Angeles Zoo on social media @lazoo.

May, 2020 –

The L.A. Zoo is closed until further notice following the City’s Safer at Home Order to help slow the spread of coronavirus and avoid a surge in the number of cases that would overwhelm our hospitals. The City of Los Angeles will take a gradual and staged approach in its response to this crisis. The Mayor will be working with leaders across the region and continuing to be guided by expertise from County, State, and Federal public health officials. This approach will enable the City of Los Angeles to slowly lift restrictions while carefully monitoring risks and needs, and adjusting their approach as needed. This strategy will be slow, deliberate, coordinated, and driven by data and public health criteria. For more information about the City’s roadmap to safely reopening, please visit Mayor Garcetti’s Safer L.A. website https://corona-virus.la/SaferLA.

April 5, 2020 –

The Los Angeles Zoo became aware today that a tiger at the Bronx Zoo tested positive for COVID-19. Samples from this tiger were taken and tested after several lions and tigers at the zoo showed symptoms of respiratory illness. As a fellow member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), our thoughts are with the Bronx Zoo as they care for their felines that have been impacted and bring them to a full recovery.

Upon hearing this news, the L.A. Zoo immediately set protocols in place for every cat species in our care, initiating the use of personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves and social distancing with these animals. The L.A. Zoo already practices these safety measures with our primate, binturong, and mustelid species. The L.A. Zoo will not be testing any of our felid, primate, binturong, or mustelid species at this time because none of them are showing any COVID-19 related symptoms. In addition, the USDA is not recommending routine testing of animals for this virus. Because the situation is ever-evolving, public and animal health officials may decide to test certain animals out of an abundance of caution. The decision to test any of our animals will be made collaboratively between local, state, or federal public and animal health officials and the Zoo’s animal health experts.

The health and safety of the Zoo’s animals is our top priority. Our animal health experts on staff are in communication with public health officials, along with local, national, and international veterinary networks, to stay up-to-date on animals in human care and any potential risks.

For more information please visit the USDA website.

March 20, 2020 –

A message from Denise Verret, CEO and Zoo Director

It’s been a week since we made the decision to close the Zoo, in order to protect our staff and our community. Yesterday, new Safer at Home orders were issued, extending our closure through April 19 which is a responsible decision aimed at flattening the curve as soon as possible. Spring is always an exciting time here at the L.A Zoo: We have new babies, the weather is generally beautiful, and people want to spend time outdoors. Our spring programming would normally just be getting underway. But we are 100% committed to stemming the spread of COVID-19. Since we can’t welcome guests through our gates, we are working to bring the Zoo to you and your family through social media and the Zoo’s website. We hope you find this content enriching to the mind and soul during this time of adjustment to our way of life as Angelenos.

During uncertain times, we draw strength from our families, friends, and communities. As a visitor, member, or animal lover, you are part of our extended L.A. Zoo family, and we are extraordinarily grateful for your support.

Please stay safe and healthy, and we look forward to welcoming you back again as soon as we can responsibly do so.

– Denise Verret

March 12, 2020 – As of March 13, the Los Angeles Zoo will be closed to the public through March 31, 2020 to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Zoo employees will continue to report to work as normal, in order to care for our animals and facility.

The safety and wellbeing of our guests, staff, volunteers, and animals are our top priority. We are closely monitoring the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and continually evaluating information and recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.