Barn Hill Reserve of Delaware hosting virtual animal visits

SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. – If you love animals, Barn Hill Preserve of Delaware is sharing some exciting news! You can now virtually meet animals like kangaroos, sloths, otters, and more. I’ts all for a good cause. “We’re trying to be creative and do something that’s a little different, and be able to still feed the animals,” said owner Josh Mueller.

Te preserve is letting people schedule Zoom meetings with animals in order to raise money for their care. Barn Hill Preserve tells 47ABC that you can choose from a list of their 42 animals, and learn about them from experts during those Zoom calls.

This is their first week doing the fundraiser, but the preserve says they’ve already received several emails from people interested in the zoom meetings. What we’ve always strived to do is give a unique opportunity, so generally, all of our programs are very hands on. So you get to get really close to the animals. We’re trying to still be able to make it possible for people to get as close to the animals as possible. There’s a screen between you but you’re still closer to them,” said Mueller.

Animal experts at the preserve say the meetings can help people de-stress while reconnecting with nature. “When you’re stuck at home you just get really detached from the outside world, and it’s easy to forget how cool and how special these animals are, but when you get to invite them into your own calls, that’s kind of a more personal connection you’re able to form with them,” said mobile crew educator Samantha Prestia.

The preserve says it is considering continuing the virtual animal visits after the pandemic ends. They hope they can reach people around the country with these zoom calls – to help educate people about their animals.