Officials with Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium say the attraction is facing a nearly $7 million loss as its doors close to the public in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The zoo’s closure on March 16 through the end of April is projected to amount to a $6.7 million loss for the zoo, the Omaha World-Herald reported last Monday. An estimated 79,300 visitors were expected between March 16 and March 31, and another 155,800 visitors were expected in April.

The zoo, which is among Omaha’s marquee tourist attractions, had previously expected to experience an increase in visitors as it made plans to celebrate its 125th anniversary.

The zoo’s Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park in Ashland – a drive-through attraction where guests remain in their vehicles and which plans to remain open despite the pandemic – appears to have seen a hike in attendance after the zoo’s closure. 

The Wildlife Safari Park opened for the 2020 season on March 27, with a record-setting attendance of 7,663 visitors –nearly triple the previous record, which was 2,735 on Sept. 1, 2019.

Safari park pricing ranges from $4 for children to $6 for adults. Children 2 and under are admitted at no charge. Those with season tickets to the zoo will have those tickets honored at the wildlife park.