"The zoo is going to look so much different now," Zoo Director Stephen Walker said.

It is not known when the zoo, 5701 E. 36th St. North, will open again, but as of late last week downed tree limbs made walking the zoo too dangerous for visitors, Walker said.

"It's just too hazardous at this point," he said.

The biggest task will be cleaning up the limbs, he said.

"It will take a big effort by our staff," he said.

The zoo lost power early Dec. 10 and staffers immediately set up the zoo's four portable generators and made sure the animals were warm, Walker said.

The zoo also has generators built into the rainforest building, conservation center and veterinary hospital. There was extra space in the hospital, so some of the animals were housed there, he said.

Moving some of the animals, such as the five 300 pound tortoises, was difficult, but all the animals except a few small fish were kept safe throughout the ordeal, he said.

Some of the animals can handle the cold without a problem, but tropical species in particular had to be packed up and taken to heated buildings, he said.

Jodi Koch, public relations manager for the zoo, said most areas regained power at about 6 a.m. Dec. 13.

Walker said the zoo's 45 keepers were working through the adversity to ensure the safety

"Virtually every one of them have come out pretty regularly every day," he said.

Walker praised the keepers' dedication to the zoo and the animals.

"It's just really heartwarming," he said.

Walker said in his 29 years with the zoo he had never seen anything remotely like the damage the ice storm caused. The loss of the rare and long-standing trees is particularly devastating, he said.

"That's the worst thing of all," he said.

The zoo is known for its botanical collection, and rebuilding will be a daunting task, Walker said.

"We'll start planting trees immediately but it will be a long time before it looks anything like it did before," he said.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums has offered its assistance, but there is not much it can do to help, he said.

The zoo will suffer financially because of the revenue lost while the zoo is closed, but the extent of the loss is uncertain, Walker said.

"It will have an impact on our budget," he said.

The gift shop may be opened with the hope of catching some Christmas shoppers, but it will be difficult to attract people if the zoo is still closed, he said.

The zoo staff will learn from the experience and probably buy more generators and propane or natural gas heaters that don't require electricity, Walker said.