EcoTarium, Southwick's Zoo reopening in April

Photo | Courtesy | EcoTarium Mountain lions in their exhibit at the Ecotarium in Worcester

Write a Comment

By Grant Welker

Two of the biggest visitor attractions in Central Massachusetts, the EcoTarium in Worcester and Southwick's Zoo in Mendon, are scheduled to reopen next month.

The EcoTarium will reopen its outdoor exhibits April 23, the first time the science and nature center will be open to visitors since September. Southwick's Zoo, which closed for the winter as it normally does, is set to reopen April 3 on a drive-through basis and more fully on April 12.

The EcoTarium's reopening will include its outdoor animal exhibits, trails and playground. It will come a day after Earth Day, with the museum planning family activities and celebrations to mark the day.

"Coming out of hibernation, as we are here at the EcoTarium, reminds us of the hope we all have for our future," CEO and President Lucy Hale said in a statement. "We look forward to welcoming everyone back.”

Among the outdoor animal exhibits that will be open is Wild Cat Station, which includes two mountain lions and is, at 18,500 square feet, one of the largest such wild cat habitats in the country, according to the EcoTarium.

The museum will open a few days early — April 20-22 — for members. All tickets, including for members, must be purchased in advance, and social distancing and facial covering measures will be in place.

Southwick's Zoo will also require facial coverings and is requiring tickets be bought online. It is also requesting that visits be limited to three hours. Its closure over the winter was a typical seasonal change and not related to the pandemic.

The EcoTarium laid off most of its staff last September when it planned to close for the fall and winter. The EcoTarium and Southwick's Zoo are two of such attractions in Central Massachusetts to at least partially reopen during the pandemic,, along with the Worcester Art Museum, Old Sturbridge Village and Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston.