Prospect Park Zoo will reopen after storm damage with new animals

Emily Rahhal
·2 min read
Prospect Park Zoo will reopen after storm damage with new animals
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BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) – After 239 days closed, Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Zoo will reopen Memorial Day weekend with a few new animal friends to enjoy, the Wildlife Conservation Society announced Tuesday.

The zoo will open for members on May 25 and the general public on May 26. Tickets, which must be bought online ahead of your visit, cost $9.95 for adults, $7.95 for seniors and $6.95 for children over 3 years old.

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“Throughout our temporary closure, many New Yorkers shared how important this beloved zoo is to the Brooklyn community and to all throughout the city” said Craig Piper, Vice President and Director of City Zoos for the Wildlife Conservation Society.

None of the zoo’s 400 animals were affected by the storm, according to the society. But they did get a few new friends, like a rare species of deer and a female baboon born during the closure.

A red panda at the Prospect Park Zoo. (WCS’s Prospect Park Zoo)
A red panda at the Prospect Park Zoo. (WCS’s Prospect Park Zoo)
California sea lions at the Prospect Park Zoo. (WCS’s Prospect Park Zoo)
California sea lions at the Prospect Park Zoo. (WCS’s Prospect Park Zoo)

“Like countless other Brooklynites, I have vivid childhood memories of the Prospect Park Zoo and when it was forced to close after last September’s devastating rainstorm, it was a huge blow to families and school kids across Brooklyn,” said New York Assembly Member Robert Carroll.

“Now l get to make all new Prospect Park Zoo memories with my son Teddy—seeing it all again through a child’s eyes is one of the greatest joys for any Brooklyn parent!”

The zoo was significantly damaged in September 2023 when heavy rains brought trains and planes to a full stop and wreaked havoc on New York City infrastructure.

The storm covered the zoo in seven inches of rain and run-off, damaging boilers, HVAC, electrical and life support equipment – some of which were stored in basements that saw up to 25 feet of water.

The zoo has been put back on the electrical grid and many repairs made, but there is still work yet to be done.

“While this reopening of Prospect Park Zoo is a major milestone, we have a long way to go before the zoo is fully restored,” Piper said.

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered New York City since 2023. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.

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