Prospect Park Zoo reopens with much fanfare in Brooklyn

NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) -- Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn is open again for the first time since September. The property closed after flood waters heavily damaged it during Tropical Storm Ophelia.

Craig Piper, the director of City Zoos for the Wildlife Conservation Society, explained that the zoo "sustained a total loss of our electrical infrastructure and our heating infrastructure," when up to 25 feet of water poured into the zoo.

"Fortunately the flooding didn't reach the animal exhibits," Piper continued. "They stayed here the entire time and our keepers were able to provide care for them so they were just wondering where all the guests had gone?"

There are new animals at the zoo this year including, "the world's smallest deer, native to South America," and two baboons, Piper said.

Recovery costs to date are about $6.5 million. Full restoration costs, not including mitigation measures, are estimated to be more than $20 million. FEMA recovery funding is available to the zoo.