North Georgia Zoo in Cleveland, GA is offering the perfect way to have a fun, family experience while still practicing social distancing. Join us Thursday-Sunday May 7th-10th from 10a-5p. Enjoy the “Social Distancing Drive Through Zoo” experience!

Drive through the “other side” of the zoo, where, from the comfort of your car you can see zebras, camels, water buffalo, wart hogs, llamas, etc., as well as farm animals like sheep and goats. In fact, you will see over 80 animals, and you never have to leave your car! You will also be able to purchase food for the animals, which you can toss to them from your car window.

There is no charge for the “Drive Through”, but donations are appreciated. Also, the drive is fairly bumpy, and there are two creek crossings, so vehicles that have a low clearance are not recommended. It is also asked that you leave your own pets at home for this experience.
North Georgia Zoo, like so many other private businesses, has been stretched by the current economic crisis brought on by COVID-19. Your gifts and donations will be used to feed the 400 animals who call the zoo their home.
No reservations are needed for the “Drive Through”, so jump in your car and come for a visit! North Georgia Zoo is located at 2912 Paradise Valley Road, Cleveland, GA 30528. Visit their website at www.northgeorgiazoo.com.
North Georgia Zoo is NOT a 501c3 tax-exempt organization, and contributions/donations are NOT tax deductible

Wesley and Sahara, Fennec foxes that live at the North Georgia Zoo in Cleveland, GA, are happy to announce the birth of triplets! The new babies (called “kits” in the fox world) are looking for names right now. Please feel free to send us your suggestions!

Sahara, their mother, is absolutely delighted with her new offspring. “They are just beautiful – they have their father’s ears!”

Fennec foxes are the smallest of the fox breeds, typically weighing only 4-2 lbs. as adults. At birth they weigh approximately 50 grams each! However, they have the largest ear to body ratio of any animal. They use their ears for two things: (1) Hearing, of course! The size of their ears gives them extraordinary hearing, which aids in their search for food. And (2) Their ears have a great many blood vessels that are close to the surface of their skin. As blood circulates through these vessels, it is cooled by the wind that blows on the surface of their ears. This cooled blood is then recirculated back into their bodies, which brings down their temperature. This is important since they are native to the Sahara Desert!
Fennec foxes are arguably the cutest creatures in the animal world, but they are only one of almost 100 different species of animals that call North Georgia Zoo home. The zoo is located at 2912 Paradise Valley Road, Cleveland, GA, 30528. Visit www.northgeorgiazoo.com for more info and to make reservations.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has issued new guidance concerning the COVID-19 virus. In his press conference on April 20, he directed small businesses to begin reopening, while following strict safety guidelines.

North Georgia Zoo is now open but is limiting its offerings so that it may abide by these guidelines. In order to do this:

1. All activities will be BY PRIOR RESERVATION ONLY. In this way we can keep our crowds to a safe size. Reservations will be accepted only on our website at www.northgeorgiazoo.com.
2.  Reservations can be made for any day of the week, 11:00-3:00 each day.
3. Social distancing will be strictly adhered to on all Wildlife Walk tours and Animal Experiences.
4. All Virtual Online experiences will continue to be offered. These may be booked online at www.northgeorgiazoo.com.
5.   Zoo employees are continuing to implement enhanced cleaning and sanitizing practices at the facility. Hand sanitizer is readily available to guests at several areas around the zoo.

Like so many small businesses, the North Georgia Zoo is experiencing a financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Here are nine ways to support North Georgia Zoo during this difficult time.

1. Purchase Zoo Gift Cards on our website (www.northgeorgiazoo.com) that you can use at a later date.
2. Visit our online store and purchase apparel or toys.
3. Join others who have already given to the zoo through our Go Fund Me campaign. The link is on our website home page.
4. Are you creative? Do you have products you would be willing to auction off and donate proceeds to the zoo?
5. Donate time to pick up supplies for us while you’re at the grocery.
6. Check with your local grocery stores in your area and see if they have any day- old produce or foods they would be willing to donate to the zoo and pick that up for us.
7. Purchase a zoo membership on our website.
8. Reserve an Animal Experience or Wildlife Walk. (These activities are following strict CDC and Georgia government guidelines regarding crowd size and social distancing.)
9. Any other ideas you have time to implement that can generate income to help the zoo at this time would be appreciated!
Our prayers go out to all those affected by this situation. Please know we are in it with you!
Thank you!
-North Georgia Zoo Staff

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has issued new guidance concerning the COVID-19 virus. In his press conference on March 23, he directed groups to limit their size to no more than 10 people, with six feet of social distancing between them at all times.

North Georgia Zoo will limit its offerings so that it may abide by these directives. In order to do this:

1. All activities will be BY PRIOR RESERVATION ONLY. In this way we can keep our crowd size to under 10 people. Reservations will be accepted only on our website at www.northgeorgiazoo.com.
2. Animal Experiences will be limited to one group per experience. We will not mix guests with other guests outside their own group. This will prevent cross contamination with other groups.
3. Wildlife Walks will be limited to 10 guests at a time. Social distancing will be maintained during these tours.
4. Reservations can be made for Sunday-Saturday, 11:00-3:00 daily.
5. Zoo employees are continuing to implement enhanced cleaning and sanitizing practices at the facility. Hand sanitizer is readily available to guests at several areas around the zoo.

In the wake of the international outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), the North Georgia Zoo is open. We are closely monitoring the situation and are using an abundance of caution as we navigate this health crisis. The wellbeing of our staff and our guests is of utmost importance, and we are taking steps to ensure that the zoo continues to be a safe place.

North Georgia Zoo staff are following the guidelines set out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta (CDC), including guidelines about hand washing and cleaning. We will continue to watch the situation daily and follow the recommendations of the CDC, as well as state and local health agencies.

Concerning animals, the CDC website states, "There is no reason to think that any animals including pets in the United States might be a source of infection with this new coronavirus. To date, CDC has not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19. At this time, there is no evidence that companion animals including pets can spread COVID-19. However, since animals can spread other diseases to people, it's always a good idea to wash your hands after being around animals. "

For up to date information about the status of North Georgia Zoo during this outbreak, please visit our website at www.northgeorgiazoo.com.

For more information about COVID-19, please visit www.cdc.gov.

North Georgia Zoo is hosting open interviews this Saturday the 14th from 9a-12p! Come fill out an application and interview on the spot! Several positions available in management, animal care, seasonal and guest relations. Opportunities for high school students to retired ages. Join a team where you can make a difference for both animals and people!

We will also be doing a soft launch with our new zoo ambassador program! Do you get excited about helping people and animals? Does making a difference in the lives of people and animals excite you? Do you want to be a voice to help others learn more about the mission of NGZ to Care, Connect & Conserve? Come learn more about being an advocate and ambassador for the zoo! We will be chatting and taking volunteer applications for those interested in becoming a volunteer zoo advocate during open interviews! We are located at 2912 Paradise Valley RD, Cleveland, GA 30528.

4 days 4 great organizations. A large part of the mission of North Georgia Zoo is connecting with our community. One way we do that is by supporting charities that we believe in. With that in mind, the zoo is launching “Charity Days”. On these days $1 of every admission ticket will be donated to the charity we have chosen on that selected day. Visit our animals and do good at the same time!
 For more information on these wonderful organizations and their date, click here.

"Drive an hour from Atlanta and you can feed a sloth or a camel — maybe both.

North Georgia Zoo in Cleveland is home to more than 200 animals and offers various options that allow you to get up close and personal with some of the animals." Read the AJC's full article by clicking here

Nature lovers don't miss Stellaluna at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta! Running through March 8th, this amazing full-scale theatrical production uses beautiful puppets & original songs to share the story of a young fruit bat finding her way in the world. This children’s book, by Janell Cannon, is greatly loved by children of all ages, and has been lauded by the National Education Association as a “Teacher’s Top 100 Books for Children.”

"To celebrate the final day of Stellaluna, (Sunday, March 8) the North Georgia Zoo from Cleveland, GA will be onsite with some live Egyptian Fruit Bats from their Zoo on display! See and learn about these wonderful animals before you see the show! This activity is FREE with ticket purchase to Stellaluna or Museum Entry."
 
The North Georgia Zoo will also be receiving donations for the rescue and recovery of
bats impacted by the recent wildfires in Australia. All donations will go directly to the
Bushfire Wildlife Rescue and Support organization.
 
For more info go to www.puppet.org, or call the Center for Puppetry Arts at 404-873- 3391.
 
Friends of the North Georgia Zoo can use the promo code NGAZOO2520 to get
25% off tickets at https://tinyurl.com/StellalunaATL.
 
For more info about the North Georgia Zoo, go to their website at
www.myfavoritezoo.com.