Covid-19 updates

Updated March 17, 2021

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is open daily from 8:00am-5:00pm, with last admission at 4:00pm.  

Now open:

• Appel Gift Shop is open (reduced capacity)
• Private Safari Tours are available for bookings
• Giraffe Feeding (9am-4pm)
• Carousel (8am – 4:30pm)
• Wildlife Wonders Show (weekends 10:30am; 12:30pm; 2:30pm |  weekdays 10:30am; 12:30pm)
• Reptile Gallery
• Tennity Wildlife Hospital and Conservation Center Lobby
• Indoor Dining (reduced capacity)
• Gecko Gulch

Covid-19 Preparedness plan

Key Modifications: 

• Limited Entry: Safety precautions require us to employ timed ticketing to pace the number of guests entering the zoo. Once you enter the zoo you are welcome to stay as long as you like or until closing time.  This limit includes both members and daily visitors. 

• Timed Ticketing for Contact-Free and Expedited Admissions: All tickets must be purchased in advance using our online system to enable us to control capacity and limit the number of guests who are inside the Zoo at any given time - including current Zoo members. Reserve your tickets online in advance for contact-free and expedited admissions!

• Hours of Operation: The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is operating under Regular Park Hours. The grounds and gardens open at 8 a.m. for both members and non-members and will remain open until 5 p.m. with the last admission at 4 p.m.

• Face Coverings: For the health and safety of our animals, staff, and guests, masks that cover both the nose and mouth must be worn by all guests over the age of 3 years old while on Zoo grounds. Vaccination and negative covid test are not exemptions to the mask wearing policy.

• Social Distancing: All guests must maintain at least six feet of social physical distancing and refrain from congregating with others that are not within their household. 

• Indoor Spaces and Experiences Closed: To maintain proper social distancing, certain indoor spaces and experiences remain are closed. For a complete list of these closures, please check the FAQs down below. 

We will be providing updates via LivingDesert.org/health, our social media channels, and through email. 

Thank you for your understanding and patience.  

- The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens Team 

Please note that these precautions, modifications, and closures are temporary, but are subject to change at any time. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to provide the safest and best experience possible, and navigate state and local public health directives. Guests assume the liability for the potential of exposure to COVID-19.

FAQs – New Operations 

• General

  Are you open and what are the rules of entry? 

  The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is open daily from 8:00am - 5:00pm, with last admission of 4:00pm. 

  Guests are required to: 

  • Not enter if they are showing any signs of illness, including fever or flu-like symptoms 

  • Wear a face covering (mask, bandana, or neck gaiter) that covers their nose and mouth or a face shield while on grounds 

  • Vaccination and negative covid test are not exemptions to the mask wearing policy

  • Maintain proper social/physical distancing of at least six feet 

  • Refrain from congregating with others that are not within their household 

  • Obey all posted signage, conditions for entry, and staff instructions 

  Guests are encouraged to: 

  • Maintain proper personal hygiene including frequent handwashing 

  • Utilize hand sanitizers available 

  What about my Membership?

  The Living Desert is committed to providing our members with twelve months of benefits, which includes year-round access to the Zoo. Members will receive an auto-extension of 10 days added to their membership. There is no action needed by you and members can use their existing membership card and ID. 

  Are the concession and retail outlets open?

  Yes, the Kookaburra Cafe and Thorntree Grill are open for indoor dining at reduced capacity.  The Appel Gift Shop is open at reduced capacity. 

  What should I be prepared for? 

  We are looking forward to welcoming our community back to The Living Desert, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this new normal. Given the change in the season, you are encouraged to come prepared (hat, sunscreen, water, proper footwear). In addition, guests must bring a face covering or face shield as they are required for guests over age 3, although a limited number of masks will be available for purchase at the Appel Gift Shop. Guests assume the liability for the potential of exposure to COVID-19.

  What is The Living Desert doing to keep me safe? 

  The Living Desert has implemented several additional safety protocols to ensure guest, staff, and animal safety. 

  • Enclosed buildings and tactile exhibits remain temporarily closed.  

  • Hand sanitizing stations are placed in 8 locations around the Zoo. 

  • Touchable surfaces including counters, doors, restrooms and drinking fountains are disinfected regularly. 

  • Capacity limits have been implemented – limiting guests per hour.

  • The Zoo exit has been modified. 

  • Ticketing/admissions has been moved to contact-free. Guests are encouraged to pre-purchase their tickets online or at one of the ticketing kiosks.  Each guest will then present their ticket to be scanned at the admission gate. A clear, acrylic shield has been installed at the admissions windows to minimize contact between staff and guests. 

  • Staff and volunteers are required to follow OSHA and CDC health guidelines and are not to report to work if they are experiencing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19. 

  I HAD TICKETS FOR A DAY YOU WERE CLOSED. WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW? 

  Anyone with general admission tickets during our temporary closure of December 7-17, 2020, should have received an email with information on how to reschedule, receive a refund for their booking or donate their unused tickets back to the Zoo. 

  Ticket holders who had reservations while we were closed have a couple of options: 

  • Visit another day: 

  • Ticketholders may choose to simply keep their tickets and use them for a daytime Zoo visit in the future (excluding special events). Tickets will remain valid for one year from the date of issue.  

  • Request a full refund: 

  • Call The Living Desert at 760-346-5694 between 8:00am-5:00pm daily  

  • Request a call-back at LivingDesert.org/refunds  

  • Donate the cost of the unused ticket(s) to The Living Desert: 

  • Call The Living Desert at 760-346-5694 between 8:00am-5:00pm daily 

  Please be aware that response time may be slow, as we are managing a high-volume of inquiries. We thank you for your patience. 

  I HAVE TICKETS FOR WILDLIGHTS FOR A DATE THAT HAS BEEN CANCELLED. WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW? 

  Anyone with WildLights reservations between December 11-27, 2020 should have received an email with information on how to reschedule, receive a refund for their booking or donate their unused tickets back to the Zoo. 

  Ticket holders who had reservations while we were closed have a couple of options: 

  • Visit another day: 

  • WildLights ticketholders may choose to simply keep their tickets and use them for a daytime Zoo visit in the future (excluding special events). Tickets will remain valid for one year from the date of issue.  

  • Request a full refund: 

  • Call The Living Desert at 760-346-5694 between 8:00am-5:00pm daily  

  • Request a call-back at LivingDesert.org/refunds  

  • Donate the cost of the unused ticket(s) to The Living Desert: 

  • Call The Living Desert at 760-346-5694 between 8:00am-5:00pm daily 

  Please be aware that response time may be slow, as we are managing a high-volume of inquiries. We thank you for your patience.  

  WILL WILDLIGHTS BE RESCHEDULED? 

  WildLights will return to the Zoo – with a spring twist! Nightly, March 15-28, 2021, WildLights of Spring, will delight guests of all ages with light displays, delicious fare, and memorable moments. Tickets are now on sale!

  The Living Desert will honor unused WildLights 2020 tickets during the WildLights of Spring event. Guests will need to call The Living Desert to exchange their unused ticket(s) for a new date/time. For tickets, exchanges, and more information visit LivingDesert.org or call (760) 346-5694.

  HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE LIVING DESERT? 

  As a non-profit organization that relies on earned revenue (tickets, memberships, and sales) for 75% of our budget, we are relying on the generosity of our supporters. Now, more than ever, your support makes an immediate difference. Your gift, in any amount, ensures our animals are safe and well cared for through this crisis and beyond. 

  THERE ARE A VARIETY OF WAYS TO SUPPORT THE LIVING DESERT: 

  · Donate 

  · Renew or extend your membership 

  · Adopt an animal 

  · Shop our online gift shop 

  I AM A VOLUNTEER, WHAT SHOULD I DO? 

  You will receive ongoing communications from the Zoo regarding next steps. 

  What about precautions for Animal Care?

  Animal Care Staff are taking extra precautions to keep animals healthy and safe. Staff encountering animals use additional Personal Protection Equipment, and more thorough cleaning of equipment necessary for care has been implemented. 

• Making the most of your visit

  How should we plan our visit? 

  Although your visit may be a bit different, we look forward to welcoming our community back to The Living Desert. Please come prepared for the day’s visit with either a face mask or face shield, as they will be required for guests over 3 years old. Vaccination and negative covid test are not exemptions to the mask wearing policy.

  How do I streamline entry into the Zoo? 

  Members are asked to have their membership tickets out and ready to be scanned once they approach the gates.

  Ticketed guests are asked to pre-purchase their tickets online. You may present your mobile device with your tickets or print the individual tickets at home. Guests may also utilize the ticketing kiosks located in the Grundhofer Entry Plaza. One staffed ticket window will be available. Upon entry, each guest will be asked to hold their ticket to be scanned. 

  Will stroller and wheelchair rentals be available? 

  Yes, strollers and wheelchairs are available. Rent fee is $5 and available for first come first serve.

  Will the park shuttle be running? 

  For the safety of our guests, the public zoo shuttle is not running. 

  Are Private Safari and Behind the Scenes tours available?  

  Private Safari tours are available. Learn More>>

  Behind the Scenes are not available at this time. 

• How to Purchase Timed Admission Tickets

  Timed tickets must be purchased in advance using the Zoo’s online system by selecting ‘General Admission’ in the purchasing categories.

  Guests may choose their date and preferred entry time for each visitor up to two weeks in advance. Entrance times have limited capacities, and tickets will only remain valid during the specified window of time. 

  After selecting the correct time/date, add the ticket purchase into the cart and complete the checkout process. An email from eGalaxy Store (estore@livingdesert.org) will arrive with the confirmation and tickets as an attachment.

  Tickets may either be printed and presented at the admission gate, or scanned from a mobile device.

  Purchase Ticket

• How to Reserve Tickets as a Member

  Members’ timed tickets must be reserved in advance using the Zoo’s online system by selecting ‘Membership Reserve Tickets’ in the purchasing categories. Members that have not reserved a timed ticket will not be allowed entry. 

  Enter the Membership ID and click ‘Validate Membership Card ID’. (Note: Membership IDs can be found on the back of the membership card beneath the barcode. If the Membership ID cannot be located, please call 760-346-5694 for assistance!)

  Choose the desired time and date of entry for each visiting member up to two weeks in advance. Entrance times have limited capacities, and tickets will only remain valid during the specified window of time.

  After checking that the time/date is correct, add the reservation into the cart and complete the checkout process. An email from eGalaxy Store (estore@livingdesert.org) will arrive with the confirmation and tickets as an attachment.

  Tickets may be printed and presented at the admission gate, or scanned on a mobile device.

  Reserve Member Ticket