After nearly eight months of being closed following flood damage, the Prospect Park Zoo is finally set to reopen at the end of this May!
Back in October 2023 a state of emergency was declared by Governor Kathy Hochul in NYC in the midst of extreme flash flooding brought on by Tropical Storm Ophelia, and unfortunately that flooding caused extensive damage to the 12-acre Prospect Park Zoo.
Thankfully, no animals were harmed or negatively affected by the flooding, but a total of 25 feet of water flooded the zoo’s basement, damaging boilers, HVAC, electrical, and aquatic life support and other systems.
As a response the zoo sadly had to close indefinitely. But now, after nearly eight months–239 days to be exact–and $6.5 million worth of repairs, Prospect Park Zoo reopens on Saturday, May 25th.
Craig Piper, WCS Vice President and Director of City Zoos, stated that though the reopening of the park is a major milestone they still have a long way to go before the zoo is fully restored, including continuing to work with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and other agencies on full restoration and mitigation to prevent future storm-related flooding.
As for now the zoo is fully back on the electrical grid and the primary electrical room has been relocated from a basement to ground level. Necessary repairs to exhibit buildings will be completed by the time of the reopening.
Piper added:
Throughout our temporary closure, many New Yorkers shared how important this beloved zoo is to the Brooklyn community and to all throughout the city. We look forward to welcoming guests again to Prospect Park Zoo.
Following the reopening guests will find new animals introduced to the zoo including a pair of southern pudu, one of the world’s smallest species of deer, and a female Hamadryas baboon born during the closure on October 18, 2023.
A preview for Wildlife Conservation Society members will be held Friday, May 24th. Prospect Park Zoo reopens to the public on Saturday, May 25th.