A Hamadryas baboon eyes visitors to the zoo (Photo by Julie Larsen Maher, courtesy of the Prospect Park Zoo)
Prospect Park Zoo is set to reopen following an 8-month closure
The zoo will reopen to the public May 25 following a shut-down due to extensive flood damage
The Prospect Park Zoo is finally reopening following an eight-month due to severe storm damage last fall.
The 14-acre zoo suffered from “extensive flood damage to its facilities and infrastructure” when Tropical Storm Ophelia dumped about 7 inches of rain on it last September. The flooding triggered what would become a 239-day closure, which finally comes to an end when the zoo reopens for members and to the general public on Saturday, May 25.
Despite the reopening of zoo’s public spaces, officials said it’s infrastructure is not fully repaired. The deluge of rain had a “major impact” on its boilers, HVAC, electrical and other equipment in the zoo’s basements that experienced 25-feet of water becausr of runoff.
“While this reopening of Prospect Park Zoo is a major milestone, we have a long way to go before the zoo is fully restored,” said Craig Piper, vice president and director of city Zoos for the Wildlife Conservation Society in a statement. “We continue to work with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation and other city, state, and federal agencies on full restoration and mitigation to prevent flooding from future storm events.”
In total, renovations cost the zoo about $6.5 million with full restoration price tag expected to more than $20 million once completed.
On a brighter note, not one of the more than 400 animals housed at the zoo were reportedly affected, nor were any of the 50-plus staff laid off. Once visitors return, they’ll actually see new furry friends: a pair of southern pudu (the world’s smallest species of deer) and a female Hamadryas baboon born during the closure.
