South Coast Zoo Closed By Pandemic Reopening This Weekend

One of the Santa Barbara Zoo's giraffes. The zoo is reopening to the public Saturday, but visitors must buy tickets in advance online.
(KCLU photo)

The Santa Barbara Zoo is reopening to the public this weekend following a nearly two month shutdown due to the pandemic.

The zoo will reopen Saturday.  Because of COVID-19 social distancing requirements, admission will be limited.  Guests need to make reservations online to book timed entry to the zoo.

It will be the first time people will be able to see a number of new zoo residents, including some rare white-faced saki monkeys and two baby flamingos.  People can also get a sneak peek at the zoo's new Australian Walkabout exhibition, which is currently under construction.

The zoo was closed for months due to the pandemic last year.  It was closed a second time on December 7th, because of the state's stay at home order which was cancelled Monday.

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Lance Orozco has been News Director of KCLU since 2001, providing award-winning coverage of some of the biggest news events in the region, including the Thomas and Woolsey brush fires, the deadly Montecito debris flow, the Borderline Bar and Grill attack, and Ronald Reagan's funeral.