CALGARY – The Calgary Zoo will reopen to the public starting July 31st, after city-wide flooding in late June which forced them to close their doors- and caused $50 million worth of damage.
Flood waters from the swelling Bow River ripped through St. Patrick’s Island, covering most of their 32-acre site.
Zoo officials announced on Tuesday they plan to open in stages over a five-month period.
The north part of the zoo will be the first section to reopen on July 31st. This includes Penguin Plunge, Prehistoric Park and Canadian Wilds.
As many as 40 buildings at the tourist hotspot suffered damage, as well as animal enclosures, and the botanical exhibits.
Among the buildings severely damaged were African Savannah, ENMAX Conservatory, Kitamba Café, commissary/kitchen facilities, concession shops, the Centre for Conservation Research, administrative and security offices, and the zoo’s maintenance shop.
Officials say they also expect to have a $10 million shortfall in revenue during the restoration period.
“We make a lot of money in the summer months and we serve on that money in winter months,” explains Clement Lanthier from the Calgary Zoo. “We will lose money starting in October until next Easter.”
Most of the zoo’s animals will remain in their familiar homes throughout the restoration period; however, some may have to be temporarily relocated to the zoo’s Devonian Wildlife Conservation Centre outside Calgary – and to other zoological institutions.
The Calgary Zoo says the flood took the lives of four peacocks, a pot-bellied pig and several fish.
They will not be able to resume full operations until late November.
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