NC Zoo set to reopen Monday after being closed for nearly 3 months

ASHEBORO, N.C. (WTVD) -- The North Carolina Zoo is ready to reopen.

"I am thrilled that we are bringing guests back onto the park," said zoo director Pat Simmons. "We have missed them. The staff has missed them. And especially our animals have missed them."

The zoo will reopen its gates to visitors on Monday, June 15. The zoo's website says they're making changes for guests, including making advance timed entrance tickets mandatory for park entry. The zoo says it will not allow walk-up entry and is also limiting the number of guests per day. Guests and members should arrive no more than 30 minutes before the reserved entry time.

Reservations and timed-entry ticketing will be accepted three weeks in advance.

Visitors will only be able to enter and exit through the North America gate. Several habitats and amenities will be closed, including:

• Indoor habitats - this is Aviary, Streamside and Desert
• Indoor dining -- outside dining is available
• Seasonal attractions -- Giraffe Deck, Carousel, Butterfly Garden, VR Experience, Zoofari, Air Hike Ropes Course and Treehouse Trek
• Education Smart Carts, Kidzone and playgrounds
• Keeper Talks and Public Feeding Times

"We are keeping all of our outside area," Simmons said. "And that's a lot. That is five miles of trails. So I think there's plenty to see."

The zoo has been closed since March 17.