COLORADO SPRINGS – The final push is happening right now for Cheyenne Mountain Aoo to reopen Saturday.
“A lot has happened in just the last few days,” said zoo President and CEO, Bob Chastain. The zoo made an emergency closure Monday because of the unprecedented and disastrous hail storm.
Thousands evacuated, 14 people injured, five animals killed, including another peacock named Katie Perry added to the list Friday. Then there is all the damage and mess, zoo staff has been working long hours to fix, so they can reopen.
One of the zoo keepers who takes of the giraffes says the animals seem to miss the visitors. “They kept waiting and waiting and waiting for the guests to come.” Each day at opening time giraffes have been lining up at the board walk where visitors feed them lettuce.
More of the zoo than not is back to normal. At ground level animals are back where they belong. Walks and public areas have been cleared and cleaned. Looking up shows where there is still damage needing repair. Roofs of almost every building at the zoo are fitted with boards or tarps. For weeks, even months guest will see workers on those roofs.
The zoo opens at 8:00 a.m. Saturday for members. The time is 9:00 a.m. for the general public.
