The Prospect Park Zoo reopened Saturday, to the delight of many Brooklynites.

“We’ve been waiting since September for this moment, so we’re really excited to see all the baboons,” Michelle Popovitch said at the zoo.


What You Need To Know

  • The zoo was closed for nearly 240 days, or eight months, after severe flooding damage from Tropical Storm Ophelia

  • The necessary repairs cost more than $6 million, with most of the money going towards restoring the zoo’s electrical grid

  • Brooklynites said they're excited to be back at their local zoo, to see favorites such as the sea lions, red pandas and free-roaming peacocks

  • Some new animals are also on display this year, including the southern pudu — one of the world's smallest species of deer — and baby baboons

“This [zoo] is a part of Brooklyn, so that’s why it’s so special for me to bring my grandkids here now, where I used to bring their mother,” Annie Caddle, who came with her three grandchildren and daughter, said.

The zoo was shut down for nearly 240 days, or eight months, after severe flooding damage from Tropical Storm Ophelia. No animals were impacted by the storm, but the zoo’s basement had filled with 25 feet of water, damaging the electrical and boiler systems.

Zoo officials had to rely on emergency generators to keep the facility running for the more than 400 animals who call the zoo home. The Wildlife Conservation Society said they’re thrilled to welcome back everyone to the zoo.

“We want people to come here, spend time with their families and fall in love with animals. That empathy is so important, and a lot of the animals, including the sea lions, missed having people here. So we know it’s going to be exciting for them to have guests back,” Craig Piper, director of City Zoos with the Wildlife Conservation Society, said.

It cost more than $6 million to make the necessary repairs. Most of that money went towards restoring the zoo’s electrical grid. The Prospect Park Zoo is home to many animals, including sea lions, red panda and free-roaming peacocks, to name a few.

Some new animals will also be on display this year, including the southern pudu — one of the world’s smallest species of deer.

Zoo visitors caught a glimpse of two baby baboons born during the shutdown, including Binrin, a boy, who came into the world on Tuesday.

“It’s a lot of emotions, and we’re glad to be back, that’s for sure,” Popovitch said.

While the zoo is open again, it’s still years away from a full recovery.

“We do see that climate change is changing our weather patterns and we have to plan for that — so, for example, the new electric infrastructure that we’ve placed here, we’ve relocated in areas that would be above flood areas so that’s safe for the future,” Piper said.

Officials from the Prospect Park Zoo are now in the process of working with local, state and federal partners to implement a flood mitigation strategy. It’s designed to keep the zoo safe from future storms, and the gates open for visitors in the years to come.

The full restoration project will cost an estimated $20 million, which includes federal funding.