WAVY.com

This 2020 photo provided by the Fairfax County Police Department shows a 65-pound (29-kilogram) alligator snapping turtle in Alexandria, Va. The turtle, dubbed Lord Fairfax, who was repeatedly crossing a residential road in the Alexandria area, according to Fairfax County Police, has found a new home at a Virginia zoo. (Fairfax County Police Department via AP)

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Now that Hampton Roads is in phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan, you won’t have to wait long to see your favorite animals, and some new ones, at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk.

The zoo is opening to the public on June 25, and for members only on June 22. Phase 2 reopened several businesses in Virginia, including zoos.


The zoo says several changes will be in place when members and the public return.

The zoo says memberships will be extended for those that were current on March 13 or those that were purchased or renewed since that date, and it’s still working on adding time to the memberships. An email was set to be sent out to members.

The zoo says you can also choose to forgo your extension to help support the zoo and its animals, and also is asking for volunteers to donate their time. The zoo was hit hard by the pandemic and established an emergency fund to help.

When you go you can see all of the zoo’s new babies, including its new giraffe calf born on May 26, and the 65-pound alligator snapping turtle originally dubbed “Lord Fairfax,” who was found earlier this month in a northern Virginia suburb. He’s been renamed Yidaro.

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