The Calgary Zoo welcomed back visitors on Thursday five months after flooding damaged a large part of the facility at the end of June.
The facility was completely swamped during the floods and about 90 percent of the area was submerged in water from the Bow River.
Workers had an emergency plan but the water came so fast that it only left them an eight hour window to get hundreds of animals out of harm's way.
The northern section of the zoo, which includes the Penguin Plunge, Canadian Wilds, and Prehistoric Park, was partially reopened over the summer.
Tthe South America and Australia buildings had to be demolished but crews were able to restore and repair the damaged exhibits and buildings on the rest of the island.
Officials say that the Australia building was old and due to be torn down for a future project.
Darryl Dziadyk, director of facilities, grounds and environment, told CTV News that the zoo is currently working toward: “building a berm to protect the elevation of waters, to raising roads, to adding jersey barriers, which would in essence isolate the zoo island from flood waters.”
Despite setbacks, zoo president Clement Lanthier told CTV News the facility is still going forward with its “master plan” – a $162 million investment that will go towards making the Calgary Zoo the leader in wildlife conservation.
Calgarians were lined up to get in to see the immense amount of work that’s been done to restore Calgary’s premier attraction.
(With files from CTVNews.ca)
