'It feels like forever': National Zoo ready to welcome back the public again

National Zoo and Aquarium staff member Kelly Rocco with the barking owl before the zoo reopens to the public. Picture: Keegan Carroll

Lockdown was a fairly bland experience for most, but not for a team of zookeepers at the National Zoo who spent it bunkered down with the animals.

Zookeepers lived onsite in Jamala Wildlife rooms to care for the animals 24/7 while everything was shuttered, and have been helping them to readjust to visitors ahead of the reopening on Friday.

Russell Jackson, executive manager of business and marketing at the National Zoo said this was also to "protect themselves against any kind of community transmission".

National Zoo and Aquarium staff member Kate Hickey preparing the meerkats for the reopening of the zoo to the public. Picture: Keegan Carroll

"Wildlife keepers don't grow on trees, they've got a very particular skill set," Mr Jackson said.

"And if they were to get infected and have to isolate for some time, that would have a significant detrimental effect on the zoo and the care for the animals."

Mr Jackson said the animals were missing the company of humans, just as intrigued by their behaviour as the people looking back at them.

"We had people come in on their days off to spend some time and have lunch with the animals to keep them used to people and obviously keep them enriched and engaged," Mr Jackson said.

They've also encouraged staff from the bistro, front of house and housekeeping "to come and help us do some encounters and some mock tours and you know, keep around the animals".

Visitors are due back at the zoo from Friday as further restrictions ease in the territory. Preparations at the zoo were in full swing on Wednesday.

"It's really now just giving it a bit of a wash down and a little bit of a sparkle put on it ready for the visitors," Mr Jackson said.

National Zoo and Aquarium staff members Ty Culbert, Jessica Cartwright and Serena Robbie preparing Cheetah Solo for the reopening of the zoo to the public. Picture: Keegan Carroll

The zoo will monitor numbers closely, allowing people to enter in 30-minute increments, with a maximum of 1500 people on the site at any given time.

Indoor areas, such as the aquarium, will be more strictly limited in line with public health directions. People are encouraged to book online ahead of time.

Mr Jackson said the attraction of a large outdoor area and some recreation had fuelled plenty of inquiries from the public.

Staff members couldn't be happier to welcome them back.

"For us, it feels like forever, so they're very, very eager, jumping out of their skin for Friday," Mr Jackson said.