Hundreds of volunteers clean up at Lake Superior Zoo

Sam Maida
Sam Maida, CEO of the Lake Superior Zoological Society talks to the media about the status of the zoo in Duluth on Saturday, June 23, 2012, after record rainfall caused flash flooding in the area earlier in the week, damaging zoo exhibits and drowning several animals.
AP Photo/Clint Austin, The Duluth News-Tribune

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) -- The cleanup is under way at Lake Superior Zoo. Hundreds of volunteers have showed up this weekend to help clean up the mud and debris left behind by the recent deluge and its resulting flooding.

Flood waters had engulfed the zoo Wednesday. About a dozen animals in a barnyard exhibit were killed, and a polar bear and two harbor seals temporarily escaped.

The receding water left behind branches, debris and thick muck. Zoo chief executive Sam Maida says 200 volunteers arrived to clean up Saturday, with another 150 signed up Sunday. He says he's grateful for their help.

Maida tells the Duluth News Tribune it's too early to know when the zoo will reopen. He says the Fourth of July is a good target.

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