ZOO FACT Established in 1872 , RWPZ is the country ’ s third oldest zoo .

teams also alternated ; one week working four days on , three days off , and the next working three days on , four days off .

Unfortunately , it wasn ’ t enough to avoid lockdown . After exhausting the pros and cons for weeks , RWPZ , in conjunction with the city and subsequently the state , closed its doors to the public in mid-March .

If news in April of COVID-positive tigers at the Bronx Zoo had you fearing for the animals in your own life , you weren ’ t alone . Goodman says the headlines , once again , changed everything .

“ We were hedging on closing altogether just a little bit because we feel that , being an outdoor facility , we are low-risk . It was a difficult decision at the time ,” Goodman recalls . “ But we thought , ‘ Okay , a month , maybe two months , tops .’ Obviously it never went away and just kept getting worse .”

“ THERE WERE ALSO two reported canine cases in Asia , so we knew that animals , in theory , could be susceptible ,” he explains . “ But we also had the common-sense attitude that this disease is ravaging people throughout the world yet you ’ re not seeing animals drop dead left and right .” >>

Opposite : Keeper Matt Fugate pets alpaca Maggie as he works . This page : The giraffes enjoy a hearty breakfast ; on-site signs remind visitors to keep the animals ’ safety in mind , too ; Fugate feeds one of his beloved binturong ; the goats are happy to greet new visitors ; and an elephant soaks up the morning sunshine .

RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l JANUARY 2021 37