Blizzard Crumples Two Zoo Exhibits

SWAINTON — All zoo animals made it safely through the snowstorm, but two exhibits were destroyed.
During the first blizzard of Feb. 5-6, the American Eagle Exhibit, dedicated in May 2008, fell victim to heavy, wet snow.
According to Park Director Michael Laffey, the snow fell at such a quick rate; the four-inch mesh that topped the exhibit could not sustain the weight.
Prior to the storm, Laffey said all animals had been relocated, and none of them suffered in the subsequent storm.
Dr. Hubert Paluch, zoo director and veterinarian, and zoo staff reacted to move animals to safe surroundings prior to the first storm, hat was critical in saving the collection.
Another demolished exhibit was that of the Spotted Leopard on the Biodiversity Trail heading toward the African Savannah. It had been vacant since the previous passing of Louie, the zoo-reared cat, but a massive pine tree fell through, crushing it.
Both exhibits will be rebuilt with the aid of the Zoo Society, said Laffey. William MacQueen, executive director of the Zoological Society and Zoo Friends, confirmed that. It’s estimated that the damage the eagle exhibit would be about $100,000.
A report is being compiled to file with Federal Emergency Management Agency for possible reimbursement of damage.
Two American bald eagles were housed in the exhibit, which featured a diorama that was inspired, by one of MacQueen’s photographs.
He said contributions are being accepted at www.capemaycountyzoo.org.
MacQueen said the eagle exhibit would be redesigned to allow better living conditions for the birds and easier viewing for visitors.
The destroyed exhibit had been renovated from a pre-existing one. The reconstruction will allow it to be entirely remade to incorporate new features. One of those features will be a soft top not supported by rigid poles.
“It will be more contemporary,” said MacQueen.
He lauded the “heroic effort” and tireless work of the park and zoo employees who worked around the clock against wind and snow to ensure the animals’ safety.
Laffey similarly stated the work done by the staff was selfless and responsible for saving all the animals.
“It was amazing. The staff did an amazing job saving all the other exhibits,” Laffey said. There was two and a half feet of snow that blanketed all roofs. Those workers did their utmost to clear the snow from roofs of other exhibits so they would not be destroyed.
Laffey said discussions would take place to agree on the final design of the new eagle and leopard exhibits.
With the aid of the Zoo Society, he hopes the new exhibits will be state of the art.
“Now that we have a chance to start from scratch, we can make the exhibits similar but safer in the future, and better for visitors and more space for the animals,” said Laffey.
The staff helped to spare 15-18 exhibits from destruction, said Laffey.
“There was stress on the structures from the snow as it started to melt, then froze. The staff just did an amazing job of saving the exhibits,” he said.
The pre-storm shift of animals was done in accordance with a standard operating procedure similar to pre-hurricane planning, Laffey said.
Laffey said the closing of the park and zoo for several days after the storm was to allow staff to remove snow from the exhibits. Once they were safe and clear, walkways were cleared and the park reopened.
“It was really like removing solid ice, two feet deep,” he said.
At Cape May County Park North, in Marmora on Route 9, “there were a lot of downed trees, but we are concentrating here (Swainton) since it’s the biggest place. We wanted to make it accessible here as quickly as possible.”
Contact Campbell at (609) 886-8600 Ext 28 or at: al.c@cmcherald.com