An Ohio zoo is going digital by taking its flowers, animals, and Earth Day online

The Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio is keeping patrons entertained and engaged even while their doors are closed.

As we spring into a new season — from the comfort of our homes — this time of year typically sees garden enthusiasts flock to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden for Zoo Blooms.

Zoo Blooms is a month-long event that features over 100,000 beautiful, colorful tulips.

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Unfortunately, because of physical distancing, as well as the fact that the zoo is currently closed, the foliage fans will not be able to participate in person this year.

However, it doesn’t mean that they can’t admire the terrific tulips from afar.

This year, the zoo will bring the blossoms to you by creating virtual garden tours. The facility will also spread joy by transporting real flowers to hospitals and nursing homes.

“It’s so beautiful at the Zoo in April,” Director of Cincinnati Zoo, Thane Maynard, said in a statement on the facility’s website. “Too beautiful not to be shared with the thousands of people who would usually be here to see and smell tulips up close.”

The peak bloom is anticipated to occur roughly around Easter, and the virtual tour will be hosted by the Zoo’s Horticulture Director, Stephen Foltz, on April 11 at 3 pm on Facebook.

“We’re hoping to reschedule many of our events, such as the free Tunes & Blooms concert series that was scheduled for Thursdays in April, but flowers bloom when they bloom,” Maynard added.

“The only way to enjoy those blooms this year will be on a screen.”

Cincinnati Zoo will also share images and videos of the botanical garden through April on its Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts.

Zoo Blooms is not the only significant event that the facility has had to cancel, however.

Instead of hosting its annual Earth Day celebration, Party for the Planet, on the ground and in person, this year Cincinnati Zoo is taking things digital by providing a virtual event for families to enjoy at home.

The zoo is partnering with local conservation and sustainability organizations to create various hands-on activities that shine a light on what the Cincinnati Zoo and other organizations are doing to protect the planet.

“Earth Day is about coming together for our environment, and while we can’t do this physically this year, we are excited to continue with our partnerships and to bring Earth Day to you,” the zoo said on its website.

Additionally, just because the zoo is closed doesn’t mean that you can’t experience the impressive assortment of wildlife that call it home.

Until the facility can welcome patrons once more, it is offering Home Safaris through its Facebook and YouTube channel.

Every day at 3 pm EDT, the zoo will highlight one of the various unique animal residents as well as provide a corresponding fun and educational activity that children can do at home.

Of course, nothing can entirely replace the authentic in-person experience. But the Cincinnati Zoo is doing its very best to provide fans with unique and entertaining digital alternatives that will tide them over until they can come back and visit, hopefully very soon.