TAMPA, Fla. (NBC News Channel/WFLA) – The Central Florida Zoo reopened Wednesday after flooding from Hurricane Ian brought on it to shut down.
After 4 weeks of being closed due to preparations earlier than the storm after which the flooding, individuals can now safely drive into zoo property.
Zoo employees is comfortable to reopen and the animals are craving for consideration.
“Just to be able to see people again, do what we love, to share with people about animals and conservation, it’s been hard to do that the past four weeks, only on social media,” stated Richard Glover, CEO of the Central Florida Zoo.
The zoo handled round $300,000 in damages on prime of day-to-day bills with out ticket gross sales.
“It costs us over $17,000 a day just to have everything running, the people here and the animals taken care of. It’s not cheap to feed these type of animals,” stated Glover.
Zoo employees hopes FEMA can finally reimburse repairs and the Small Business Administration could assist with a brief time period mortgage.
“Animals are all safe, staff is all safe, it’s money and money can be made later,” stated Glover.
The zoo dried out simply in time to arrange for the annual Asian Lantern Festival, a serious occasion on the zoo.
