The COVID-19 pandemic has created countless challenges for everybody including Ross Park Zoo. Recently, we told you how they are looking for a way to partner together with the Discovery Center of the Southern Tier. As the saying goes, "Two is better than one."

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With the zoo being closed down for a while along with the postponements of many of their fundraisers, they lost over 35% of their operating calendar in 2020. Things are off to a slow start in 2021 as well.

Over the Valentine's Day weekend, they were unable to host "Courtship Tales." It's one of their first events of the new year where they would give guided tours and a behind-the-scenes look at love in the animal world. It's an educational experience as well as a fundraiser for them.

The pandemic has also limited their mission of education in the community. Their education programs include Winter Zoo School, Wild Encounters, and ZooMobile outreach, just to name a few.

These programs also provide a revenue stream for Ross Park Zoo and the losses keep adding up. Even though the money isn't coming in, they still have to provide supplies, care, and feed over 175 animals.

If you are asking yourself how you can help, there are many different ways. You can make a financial contribution to their COVID Relief Fund, become a member or, adopt an animal.

We always push "buy local" and this certainly falls into that category. You can make a difference while supporting America's 5th Zoo located at 60 Morgan Road in Binghamton.

LOOK: Answers to 30 common COVID-19 vaccine questions

While much is still unknown about the coronavirus and the future, what is known is that the currently available vaccines have gone through all three trial phases and are safe and effective. It will be necessary for as many Americans as possible to be vaccinated in order to finally return to some level of pre-pandemic normalcy, and hopefully these 30 answers provided here will help readers get vaccinated as soon they are able.

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