Miami`s Metrozoo is roaring again.
The zoo reopened Friday nearly four months after being battered by Hurricane Andrew – and it`s no doubt a shock for visitors and animals alike.
Visitors can still see signs of Andrew`s destruction: shredded shrubs, the twisted monorail and empty cages (400 animals were sent to other zoos;
most of the animals survived the storm).
For the 800 animals remaining, four months of quiet have ended. (They needed the peace; Andrew totally stressed them out.) Also, they`ll miss the huge doses of attention they got from zookeepers. The rhinos enjoyed long, blissful brush baths. Giraffes listened to gentle music. The tortoise sat for long (though one-sided) chats.
The zoo still has tough times ahead as it scrapes up money for repairs. But assistant zoo curator Ron Magill is optimistic: ”The zoo will be better than it ever was.”
