The Denver Zoo opened on time, and all animals are doing fine this morning after a construction crew broke a 2-inch gas line.
Some animals were forced to move this morning when a construction crew working on the zoo’s Asian Tropics exhibit broke a 2-inch gas line at about 8 a.m., according to Tiffany Barnhart, spokeswoman for the zoo.
There were no animals in the 10-acre exhibit, located on the south side of the zoo.
The okapi, animals resembling small zebras, were moved inside a barn as a precaution, Barnhart said. A bird species was also moved inside, and employees were evacuated from the area.
“Everyone is doing fine,” Barnhart said.
The zoo opened at its regular time, 10 a.m.
Denver Fire and Xcel crews worked to shut off the gas, according to Phil Champagne, spokesman for the Denver Fire Department.
Xcel crews expect the gas line to be completely repaired by the end of the day, according to Xcel spokeswoman Michelle Aguayo.
Jordan Steffen: 303-954-1794 or jsteffen@denverpost.com
