Pittsburgh Zoo still fixing damages from tornado

PITTSBURGH (WBOY) — The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium was closed briefly last week after a tornado touched down in the Highland Park neighborhood, causing some damage.

The zoo said in a statement on social media Friday that no animals, staff or guests were hurt, but that the tornado, which the National Weather Service later determined was an EF1 , did cause several downed trees and damaged fences and enclosures as well as a power outage. After cleaning up overnight, the zoo was able to open as normal on Saturday, although officials did recommend that guests who chose to come in on May 18 come later in the day for the “best experience.”

“Crews worked through the night to restore power and clear as many critical pathways as possible,” the post said.

Some animals were kept indoors for a few days while their habitats were cleaned up and checked, but now, operations are back to normal. However, there are still other nonessential renovations that the zoo is working to complete.

The zoo said in a different post on Tuesday that the tornado “resulted in unexpected expenses” and asked for monetary contributions to help with the cost.

“While we are incredibly thankful that all are safe, the Zoo’s landscape was another story. Strong winds toppled trees and damaged enclosures. Our dedicated staff worked tirelessly to ensure our animals’ safety and make essential repairs before welcoming back guests,” the zoo said.

The National Weather Service said that five tornadoes were confirmed in its region on Friday, including the one in Highland Park.

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