Bergen County Zoo Announces Early Closure

Heat Dome Alert: Bergen County Zoo Announces Early Closures and Event Cancellations

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

As a punishing summer heat wave grips the region, local attractions are modifying operations to protect both visitors and wildlife.

The Bergen County Zoo in Paramus has announced temporary schedule adjustments as New Jersey grapples with extreme weather conditions. Triggered by the National Weather Service’s urgent heat warnings, the park is taking proactive measures to keep everyone safe. If you have plans to visit Van Saun County Park this week, here is what you need to know about the revised hours and cancellations.

Revised Hours: Zoo Closing Early Through Friday

Due to dangerous conditions brought on by the intense heat dome, the Bergen County Zoo is shifting its daily schedule.

General admission to the zoo will close early at 1:00 p.m. through Friday, July 3. Park officials made the official announcement via social media following consecutive days of triple-digit heat indexes.

Note for Parents: While general admission cuts off early, previously scheduled summer camps running after 1:00 p.m. will still take place as planned.

“Late Nights at the Zoo” Cancelled

The extreme weather has also forced the cancellation of evening programming. The highly anticipated “Late Night at the Zoo” event—which was set to feature a family-friendly “Farm Night” complete with live horse, donkey, and cow training sessions, an amphitheater show, a farmyard tour, and interactive crafts—has been called off.

Zoo management advises residents to closely monitor their official Instagram and Facebook pages for real-time updates regarding the upcoming weekend schedule.

Amid the disruptions, zoo staff expressed deep gratitude for their frontline teams: “Please take a moment to thank our dedicated animal care staff who will remain on grounds during these hot days, going above and beyond to ensure our animals stay comfortable and cool!”

Understanding the Heat Dome Sweeping NJ

Meteorologists define a standard heat wave as three consecutive days of temperatures soaring above 90 degrees. However, the current system impacting the eastern half of the country has escalated into a full-blown heat dome—a powerful ridge of high pressure that essentially traps stagnant, hot air over a massive geographic area.

With temperatures pushing into the low 100s, local weather experts predict the worst of the heat will linger through Friday. While a minor drop in temperature is expected by Saturday, the heat index values will stubbornly remain in the upper 90s, offering little immediate relief.

Quick Tips to Beat the Extreme Heat

If you are trying to stay cool at home without sending your electric bill into the stratosphere, emergency management officials suggest a few simple DIY hacks:

• The Ice Fan Trick: Place a shallow bowl of ice directly in front of a box fan to circulate a crisp, chilled breeze.

• Unplug Electronics: Large appliances and electronics generate passive ambient heat when plugged in; disconnect them when not in use.

• Utilize Cooling Centers: If your home lacks adequate air conditioning, check with your local municipality to find the nearest air-conditioned community cooling center.

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• Tags: Bergen County Zoo Paramus NJ Van Saun County Park NJ Heat Wave Local Advisories Bergen County News