ABQ Biopark Restricts Guest Access Due To Coronavirus

Press Release From the City of Albuquerque:

The ABQ BioPark is currently open with restricted guest access and more rigorous procedures to protect guests, staff and animals. In order to reduce public health impacts due to coronavirus (COVID-19), the City of Albuquerque and the ABQ BioPark are strengthening precautionary measure that protect guests, staff and our 1,000 animals, and ensure our 110-acre campus remains safe and welcoming for the community.

Starting Friday, March 13, the ABQ BioPark enhanced operational procedures that promote a clean environment and social distancing. The following changes will stay in effect until further notice.

SANITATION & HYGIENE

Increased signage to improve the practice of proper hygiene.

Installation of additional hand-sanitizing stations throughout the campus.

Increased cleaning and sanitation of surfaces such as door handles, public restrooms, food prep areas and other high-risk areas across the campus.

VISITATION & GUEST EXPERIENCE

All indoor spaces will be closed to the public.

All daily on-site programs, including public feedings, will be canceled to decrease public gatherings. The animals will continue to receive their regular enrichment, feeding and trainings that are critical to their health and wellness.

Cottonwood Café and Shark Reef Café will be closed but all outdoor concessions will be operating as normal with increased distance between guests and food preparation areas. Staff will be sanitizing all public tables as soon as guests leave and increasing sanitation of all surfaces to every 30 minutes.

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

The ABQ BioPark is working with schools to reschedule planned programs as needed due to state-wide school closures.

At this time, Spring Break Camps, which begin March 23, are planned to continue with increased cleaning procedures, use of outdoor spaces as classrooms, and decreased group sizes following recommended protocols. Any family that wishes to disenroll children from a camp program will receive a full refund.

Behind the Scenes Tours are canceled. The New Mexico BioPark Society is working with individuals currently registered for programs to offer refunds or the opportunity to re-book for another date. https://www.bioparksociety.org

The March 20-21 Aquarium Overnight is cancelled. BioPark staff will be reaching out to program participants to refund program registration fees.

The ABQ BioPark and City of Albuquerque will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation. We continue to follow guidance from federal, state and local authorities and will adjust operations as needed to further ensure the safety, health and welfare of our guests, staff and animals.

This press release was produced by the City of Albuquerque. The views expressed here are the author’s own.