Elmvale Zoo reopens to public
Elmvale Zoo reopened its doors Saturday after months of being locked down.
Like many business owners across Simcoe-Muskoka allowed to reopen on Friday, the owners and staff of the family-owned zoo are elated.
Staff say similar excitement has extended to the public.
"When we announced that we would be opening our doors on June 12, within 24 hours, we received 3000 reservations," says owner Michel Persi. "Our system was overwhelmed, but we're just amazed, just the support and everyone coming together to help us take care of our beautiful zoo family. We really appreciate it."
Like last year, numerous safety protocols are in place, including mandatory pre-booking online to limit capacity. Additionally, masks are only required at the entrance, washrooms and exits, but not throughout the zoo.
Staff say that the pandemic has posed specific challenges.
"It's been extremely tough," says manager Michel Persi. "Last year, we were only allowed to have 30 percent capacity, no gift shop, no snack bar. So it was really hard on us."
Despite the limitations, last season still brought an overwhelming amount of interest from the public seeking family-friendly entertainment. So much so that the owners say that they were booked up two years in advance.
To book your online reservation, click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
B.C.'s short-term rental regulations include $10K daily penalties for Airbnb, other platforms
Short-term rental platforms that violate B.C.'s pending regulations can face administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per day, officials announced Thursday.
Closing arguments heard in trial for Sask. dad accused of abducting daughter
Closing arguments were heard Thursday morning in the case of Michael Gordon Jackson, the Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter in 2021 to keep her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.