Duluth zoo reopens after flood destruction

Zoo seal on Grand Avenue
This seal is one of two that escaped from the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth during the June floods. It was photographed on Grand Avenue.
Courtesy of Ellie Burchar

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) -- The Lake Superior Zoo which sustained major flood damage last month reopens Friday.

Eleven animals in the barnyard exhibit died, and a polar bear and two harbor seals temporarily escaped their enclosures when flood water hit and left some exhibits 8 to 10 feet underwater. The bear and seals have been relocated to St. Paul.

Zoo CEO Sam Maida says the deer yard will remain closed because of unsafe paths and the Polar Shores exhibit will be empty. He tells the Duluth News Tribune there is still work to be done in order to be fully operational again, but eventually they will be.

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Information from: Duluth News Tribune

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