Elephants leave tracks in mud left behind by flooding as clean-up crews work to clean-up the Calgary Zoo in Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, June 25, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
July 02, 2013 - 11:00 AM
CALGARY - The Calgary Zoo says it will take five months before it can fully reopen its doors after flooding that has caused an estimated loss of $60 million.
CEO Clément Lanthier says the north part of the zoo is to open first on July 31.
That section includes the Penguin Plunge, Prehistoric Park and Canadian Wilds.
The zoo is located on an island and was swamped by floodwaters from the Bow and Elbow rivers last month.
Some animals had to be moved to higher ground and two hippos almost escaped when high water levels lifted them close to the top of their enclosure.
Lanthier says damage at the zoo is so far pegged at $50 million, with another $10 million lost in revenue.
He says in a release that 40 buildings, including the African Savannah exhibit, were severely damaged.
“We will work harder than ever to connect people with nature and the animals which share our planet," Lanthier said Tuesday of the rebuilding effort.
Restoration is underway but the zoo will not be able to resume full operations until late November, Lanthier said.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2013