NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

August 11, 2008
Vol. 38 , No. 363

Contacts: Nancy Falasco, Director, 302-571-7788; Beth Shockley, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Brandywine Zoo Closed Due to Storm Damage and Power Outage

The Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington is closed at least through Wednesday after sustaining major damage during a powerful storm that ripped through the grounds last night, felling trees and damaging exhibits. The power is out and the zoo will remain closed until at least Wednesday.

“It’s chaotic but all of the animals are fine, the zoo is secure, and our staff is doing great job,” says Nancy Falasco, Zoo Director.

One exhibit, “In Flight,” was completely destroyed, and staff had to cut through the exhibit fencing last night to free two Sandhill Cranes, Spike and Sandy, who are both safe and secure and relocated in the zoo’s hospital.

Falasco and her staff moved other smaller animals whose exhibits were compromised to safety in the zoo’s hospital, and the larger animals, including the Siberian tiger, are secure in their holding areas behind their exhibits.

A storage shed was also heavily damaged, along with the roof of the animal hospital.

“Staff did an exceptional job moving our animals into secure areas,” Falasco says. “Now, we’re waiting for the power to be restored and the trees to be removed.” She says she and her staff were on sight since the storm hit at about 6:30 p.m. Sunday night.

Most of the damage occurred as a result of falling trees, not the wind itself. “Trees are down all over,” she says, “large, older trees like oaks and sycamores. They became tools of destruction.”

Backup generators are providing all the power to the hospital, the exotic animals’ house and the commissary.

The Zoo staff is awaiting crews to clear downed trees so electricity can be restored. 

The Zoo will remain closed until that has been done. The estimate is two or so days. 

“We’ve got a lot of cleanup to do,” Falasco says. “Tree limbs are everywhere, along with leaf matter and other debris. We will be open, at the earliest, on Wednesday if we can pull it off.”

All services for the animals are in place in the hospital and in the larger animals’ holding areas. None of the larger animal exhibits are compromised; they’re in their holding pens to protect from the noise when power crews begin work on the cleanup.

The Brandywine Zoo is managed by DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation with the support of the Delaware Zoological Society.