MENDON - Betsy Brewer knows most animals by name at Southwick's Zoo. Not an easy task, especially since there are more than 850 animals, representing about 160 species.
To house that number of animals, the grounds at Southwick's are large. Brewer says it allows for plenty of room between each group of visitors.
Brewer said, “We are on over 200 acres so you can certainly social distance here. The deer forest is 30 acres, the elk habitat is 50 acres and 50 acres is about the average size of the average zoo in the United States.”
Brewer says the up close experience with animals is one of the things that makes this park special -- especially at the rhino encounter area with rhino residents Thelma and Louise.
Brewer said, “What you can do is sign up for this online, all of the proceeds from this goes to rhino conservation. [The rhinos] love to have a good pet or touch.”
With a pandemic still going on, .the zoo has gotten creative adding an option to experience the wild life without leaving your car.
“We've started a drive-thru. It's really cool. You get to drive through most of Southwicks Zoo.
They go through the deer forest, they go through the elk habitat, and you get to see a lot of the native wildlife as well. People love being in their cars because they're safe,” Brewer said.
Brewer is happy to welcome back visitors after a late opening due to the pandemic. The zoo is typically open six months and closed six months. Brewer says admissions proceeds keep them going as it costs $250,000 to $300,000 a month to maintain the zoo in the winter.
Brewer said, “All of the animals are here 12 months out of the year even though we are only open six months. We want people to get close to the animals to form an intimate connection with them. It makes them care more, and that's one of our goals here at Southwick's Zoo, to provide education and education about conservation so people will understand what animals face.”