COVID-19 has put a halt to plenty of things over the past two years, but Run for the Zoo at the Albuquerque BioPark will be back in action May 1, as well as other events over the course of the next few months.

The BioPark had stopped holding live events due to concerns about spreading COVID-19, KOB 4 reported. But recently, the BioPark released details of its concert events and headliners as well as the annual Run for the Zoo fundraiser that was being held virtually for the past couple of years. 

"We're really excited to be back to normal," Jessica Washburn, zoo education coordinator, told KOB 4. "Run for the Zoo is one of our biggest fundraisers, so it's really nice to be able to get back to our normal capacities. We have distances all the way from one mile up to a half marathon. You can walk it or you can run it, so you do not have to be the best runner or have trained for these. And some of our routes actually include stretches within the zoo. So it's a really fun opportunity."

Washburn said that with Mother's Day coming up, it is important to highlight the mothers and future mothers at the zoo, KOB 4 reported. The BioPark is anticipating an orangutan and gorilla to give birth this coming year. Last year, Karen the hippo gave birth to a baby named Matilda.

With the summer months around the corner and temperatures starting to rise, some animals at the zoo such as alligators are starting to be more active as well, Washburn told KOB 4.

The 35th annual Run for the Zoo takes place May 1, the City of Albuquerque reported on its site. Participants with race bibs can enter the zoo for free. 

More information can be found on the City of Albuquerque's BioPark events page.