Due to the E. coli outbreak that caused kidney disease in several people who had played with animals in petting zoos at three fairs in Florida, a children’s zoo in Cedar Rapids is taking steps to protect children from similar illnessses.
Backers of the zoo at Bever Park say it’s not a petting zoo. But just in case children touch the animals, a hand-sanitizing station has been donated so children and parents can practice good hygiene.
The station, located at a new barn, was donated as part of a 535-thousand project to update the zoo by the Junior League of Cedar Rapids.