Kamloops zoo faces challenges from pandemic, flood threat but animals don't seem to notice

The advertising slogan for the B.C. Wildlife Park proclaims: "It's all happening at the park."

But lately, the empty parking lot sendsa different message.

The 42.8-hectare zoo, whose collectionranges from a Bactrian camel to a trio of Arctic wolves, temporarily closed in late March in response to COVID-19 concerns.

"It's left a really big hole,"Glenn Grant, the park's executive director, told Daybreak Kamloopsstory producer Doug Herbert on avisit this week.

"It is really eerie to walk around the park all the time when it is this empty and quiet," he said.

Despite the absence of paying visitors who account for nearly three-quarters of the operation'srevenue Grant said the zoo will beable to manage through midsummer, thanks to donations, some federal government assistance and the benefits of several good years of attendance.

Animal care supervisor Tracy Reynolds said despite the absenceof visitors, operations at the park are as busy as ever.

This week staff in the animal rehab centrewere receiving an injured osprey. Reynolds said the centre remains open and this time of year is the busiest for receiving sick and injured wildlife because people are spending more time outdoors.

In addition tocaring for the animals and managing upkeep of the property, she saidstaffduties now include live social media broadcasts offeeding times andother encounters.

Most of the animals don't appear to notice the absence of paying visitors, but there are exceptions.

"There's a few that I think really miss the visitors,"Reynolds said.

"Our turkey, Blue, loves people. So he's I think a little bit bummed that his adoring fans aren't here to watch him,"shesaid.

"I think the grizzlies are another one that enjoy watching people as much as people like watching them."

In addition to the losses fromthe temporary closure, park managers also anticipatetrouble from flooding this year, as the burbling creek thatruns through the property threatens tobreach its banks. Adike that was built in 1999 is not expected to contain it this year.

"As it comes beyond that point, it comes past some of the habitats like the camel and the burrowing owls," Grant said.

The City of Kamloops has provided sand and sandbags, piled in the parking lot for the zoo's needs as well as nearby residents in the path of flooding.

"We'll be really glad to see 2020 in the rear view mirror, when we get back to a normal state, whatever that 'new normal' may be," Grant said.

"We just have to persevere and keep moving forward."

With files from Doug Herbert and Daybreak Kamloops