When it comes to visiting the zoo this spring, the elephant in the room is the bird flu.
There’s been a buzz for a while now about the worldwide outbreak of bird flu, or highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said the current risk for humans contracting bird flu is low.
Shauna McVey, spokesperson for the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, which oversees the Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington, said they’ve been cautiously monitoring the bird flu, which is “viewed as endemic now; and the zoo will monitor the status in the surrounding region.”
Maria Bryant, marketing and communications specialist for the Philadelphia Zoo, echoed those sentiments.
Bryant said there are no precautions that zoo guests need to follow to protect themselves from bird flu because contracting it is “unlikely.”
Humans may be the strangest creatures to walk the Earth. That’s because we’re the only species that spend money to see other animals, up close and personal, at the zoo.
The spring zoo season in Delaware and the surrounding states offers lots of cool attractions, and furry friends you can hang out with, including some baby wild critters.
Here’s a look at some of the fun you can enjoy at zoos in Delaware and nearby:
Brandywine Zoo, Delaware
Cool attractions: Delaware’s most popular zoo has some relatively new residents: Bushmallow the goat, who turns 1 in May; and Ande the pudu, who is 1 and came from Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, McVey said.
On April 15, families can get their paws on “Clues at the Zoo,” an escape-room experience where they hunt for clues to solve puzzles.
The zoo’s Madagascar Habitat exhibit features radiated tortoises and three species of lemurs, an endangered species that are endemic to Madagascar.
Guests will find capybara, goats, red panda, bobcats, lemur, porcupine and more creatures at Brandywine Zoo.
Amenities: The Zootique Gift Shop (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) offers a big selection of toys, stuffed animals and other souvenirs. There’s also the snack bar (10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.) that includes soft pretzels, hot dogs, ice cream, juice and other snacks.
Parking: Free
Accessibility: While the zoo is wheelchair-accessible, be aware that some areas slope more than others. Certified service dogs are accepted on the zoo grounds, but they must be on a 6-foot, nonretractable leash, tether or harness and must be housetrained, per the zoo’s website. There are a limited number of accessible parking spots. Guests with limited mobility also are encouraged to be dropped off in front of the zoo to avoid going up a hill.
Location: 1001 N. Park Drive, Wilmington, Delaware
Hours: Daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets: $5 to $7 for youth to adults
More info: brandywinezoo.org or (302) 571-7788.
Barn Hill, Delaware
Cool attractions: Barn Hill inspires guests to get a little wild and swim with otters, do yoga with kangaroos and hang out with sloths while sipping wine. Each of those activities is priced separately.
Another major attraction are the Encounter Tours, where guests can enjoy a hands-on experience with a number of Barn Hill’s animal friends. The 90-minute tour includes an educational presentation to learn about various species throughout the world.
Parking: Free
Accessibility Info: None
Location: 34215 Peppers Corner Road, Frankford, Delaware
Tickets: Guests must pre-purchase tickets online to visit the zoo for any event. Encounter Tour: $60. Otter Swim Ticket: $300 per person (plus taxes and fees). Kangaroo Yoga Ticket: $35 per person
Hours: Tours resume April 1; Encounter Tours are offered between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday through Sunday, beginning April 1. See website for more info on otter and kangaroo events.
More info: barnhillpreserve.com or (225) 286-3003, ext. 2
3 Palms Zoo, Delaware
When it comes to Delaware’s largest zoo, 3 Palms in Towsend is the “goat.”
There you’ll find a blend of animals such as (but not limited to) the eastern coyote, alligators, Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs, raccoons, silver foxes, skunks, vultures and giant tortoises.
Cool attractions: This zoo features the state’s only alligator exhibit, according to Palms’ website. Another treat at this zoo is guests can hand-feed and pet a number of animals like llamas, alpacas, goats and others.
Accessibility info: Not available.
Admission: $6 per person
Hours: Daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Address: 1060 Vandyke Greenspring Road, Townsend, Delaware
More info:3palmszoo.org or (302) 504-6500
Philadelphia Zoo, Pennsylvania
The country’s first zoo was opened in 1874 in the City of Brotherly Love. The legendary Philadelphia Zoo offers a little something for everyone.
This includes rope courses, scavenger hunts and a new attraction opening for nonmembers on April 1 called “Staying Power: Be Distinct, or go Extinct!”
This immersive, multisensory experience places guests around life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and huge robotic insects. “Staying Power” will spotlight 25 different creatures from over 100 million years ago.
Some of the highlights include a 10-foot-tall stink bug, a 15-foot-tall peacock jumping spider that demonstrates a mating dance, and a 60-foot-long roaring and moving Giganotosaurus.
The purpose of “Staying Power” is to educate guests on what it took to survive on Earth back in the day and how people can preserve the planet in this modern era.
Guests will encounter lots of animals at this zoo such as African lions, lemurs, Amur leopard and Amur tiger, Caribbean flamingos, hippos, red kangaroos and many more.
Maria Bryant, marketing and communications specialist for Philadelphia Zoo, said it’s likely in April that two adorable sloth bear cubs will make their debut. The sloth bears are a species labeled as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The two cubs will remain behind the scenes, out of the public’s view, until their mama decides it’s time for them to make a grand entrance.
Amenities: At The Urban Green visitors will experience delicious options from fresh sandwiches and custom fries to constantly changing craft beers and wines.
Accessibility: Manual wheelchairs, strollers and a limited number of electric scooters are available to rent (while supplies are available) at the main entrance. Some of the exhibit areas and buildings aren’t stroller-accessible. Single stroller: $10. Double stroller: $12. Wheelchair: $8. Electric Wheelchair: $30.
Location: 3400 W Girard Ave., Philadelphia
Hours: Daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tickets: Advanced reservations are required (except for members). Adults and children $16; members and children (under age 2) free; parking $17 (free for members).
More info:philadelphiazoo.org or (215) 243-1100
Cape May County Park & Zoo, New Jersey
Cool attractions: The Cape May County Park & Zoo is home to lots of furry friends such as bison, alpaca, Black Howler Monkey, otters, zebra, Scimitar-Horned Oryx, snow leopard, Ankole Watusi, bears, African lions and more.
Guests can learn fun facts about the animal residents during a guided tour. These private tours are held one hour before the zoo opens. Tours are $200 for up to four people.
Every day is Earth Day. But the official celebration at Cape May County Park & Zoo is a big deal. The event on April 22 averages 4,000 guests, which organizers plan to top this year.
Guests will experience hands-on exhibits, children’s amusements, scavenger hunt, live entertainment and a bunch of environmental eco shops.
Amenities: The Safari Café hosts a variety of food choices, from healthy options to burgers, sandwiches and pizza. There are daily specials, too.
The Lion’s Den gift shop also offers posh souvenirs you can turn into special gifts.
Accessibility: Stroller and wheelchair rentals: $10 per day. Motorized scooter rentals: $30 for the first three hours, then $5 each additional hour.
Location: 707 U.S. Route 9 North, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Hours: Daily except on Christmas; Summer hours (March 10 through Nov. 2, 2023) are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Winter hours (Nov. 3 to March 7, 2024) are 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m
Tickets: Free (including parking). Donations accepted.
More info: capemaycountynj.gov/1008/Park-Zoo or (609) 465-5271
If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.
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