Zoo animals missing human amusement - 29th May 2020

The animal residents of Providence Rhode Island Zoo, USA, are growing lonely under lockdown.

With gates locked since 14th March, their only human contact has been a small staff of keepers and vets. These dedicated professionals are caring for them behind protective masks.

Lisa Ruggiero, a Providence zookeeper, explains how the animals adjusted to their new face-coverings.

Lisa Ruggiero: They did look at us a little funny, but we still have them on but we've had them on for over a month now so they don't really seem to care, they hear our voice and they know it's us.

First established in 1872, Providence is among the USA's most long- established zoos, with daily visitor numbers usually in the hundreds. The animals expect crowds of chattering children with food on offer. Some have, however, found certain perks to the closure, according to keeper Jennifer Hennessy.

Jennifer Hennessy: I feel like they are really missing the visitors as well as all the staff. There's some perks for some of the animals, the tortoise gets to walk wherever she wants to go, she is hiding in the bushes over there, but overall we just really miss our public and visitors.