We know you miss visiting nature’s wonders at the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center, and we miss hosting you as you explore, enjoy and learn. Looking to the future, the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) is planning for a reopening as soon as it’s legal and safe to welcome you back.

The DZS continues to monitor scientific data, consult experts about both human and wildlife health issues, and listen to you and your suggestions about safety measures for our eventual reopening. If you’d like to add your voice to our survey, we’d greatly appreciate your input.

Social distancing, limited and timed entry, and strict, constant cleaning protocols are just a sample of what you can expect when you return. For us, it will be and has always been, safety before revenue. Limiting capacity will further hurt our revenue stream at the height of the summer season, but it is paramount that we do everything we can to keep our guests and animals safe. We will adhere to clear, sensible policies and count on you to accept shared responsibility so we can keep each other, and the animals who live here, safe.

We have received questions about membership extensions, Zoo Camps and other events. We can say that original programs and events pre-COVID-19 will not be the same. The DZS is working hard to develop alternate and engaging solutions for events and camp experiences, and we will share more details soon on all fronts. The DZS has automatically extended existing memberships for two months.

No words can adequately express our sincere gratitude to the community during this time. The thoughtful letters, calls, posts and donations are very much appreciated. Thank you. We hope you are healthy and able to get out and enjoy nature on those beautiful, warm days (between the fleeting snowflakes) that our Michigan spring allows.

Be well,

Ron Kagan
Executive Director and CEO
Detroit Zoological Society