The Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn, which was hit hard by the severe flooding caused by tropical storm “Ophelia” last year and had been closed for about 8 months, is set to reopen on Memorial Day weekend.
The zoo will reopen to members on May 25 (Saturday) and to the public on May 26 (Sunday). Tickets must be purchased online in advance, with admission prices set at $9.95 for adults ages 13 and older, $7.95 for seniors ages 65 and older, and $6.95 for children ages 3 and up.
Following the storm last year, the zoo’s basement was flooded up to 25 feet, resulting in serious damage to the electrical, air conditioning, and boiler systems. The Wildlife Conservation Society acted swiftly, raising approximately $6.5 million for emergency repairs. While overall restoration work is still ongoing, the zoo management decided to reopen after completing the most critical repairs, eagerly welcoming back visitors.
The reopened Prospect Park Zoo will showcase some newly introduced animal species to the public, including two South American pudu deer from Chile, one of the smallest deer species in the world weighing about 25 pounds, and a female baboon born during the zoo’s closure period.
In terms of technology and infrastructure, the zoo has implemented further improvement measures to mitigate potential future natural disasters. This includes relocating the main electrical room from the basement to above ground level to lessen the potential threat of future floods. Additionally, the zoo plans to temporarily use a boiler system in the coming years until a more secure and flood-resistant constant temperature heating system site is found.
Last September, the heavy rains brought by “Ophelia” submerged the Prospect Park Zoo, with water depths reaching up to 25 feet. Despite this, the 400 animals in the zoo were unharmed by the flooding. However, the basement’s power system, boiler room, and other facilities were submerged by the floodwaters, rendering the infrastructure inoperable. Consequently, the Prospect Park Zoo had to undergo an 8-month closure for repairs.