MONCTON – The Magnetic Hill Zoo in Moncton has been forced to delay its opening this spring by at least a week because of snow and ice.

The zoo was supposed to open for the season on April 4, but has pushed it back until at least April 10. It’s the first time in at least 15 years that its opening has been delayed.

Zoo co-ordinator Bernie Gallant told Global News that in some places the snow drifts are so high that a child could potentially walk over some of the barriers.

He said the zoo made the decision to delay the opening because of safety concerns.

“We want to prevent that from happening, because otherwise they could walk up to our dangerous animals and stick their fingers in the cages,” he said. “Or else even walk on top of the ponds, where if they fall through the ice…that’s not a good situation.”

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However, he said the snow has not been a problem for the animals or staff at the zoo.

Two fundraising events that raise money for Friends of the Zoo have been cancelled.

The Sunday Winter Opening scheduled for March 29 and the Easter EGGstravaganza scheduled for April 4 have also been cancelled. Both events were aimed at raising money to finish the new tiger and leopard exhibits.

“It’s either that we lose that money or else do we risk something happening, which we don’t want,” Gallant said.

He said the zoo is hoping to make up for the lost money this fall when it starts its new “Winter Lights” program, which will allow it to keep the zoo open until the Christmas season.

“We’re hoping to gain on the other end,” he said.

Gallant said the zoo will be looking at possible changes it could make over this season, so that it won’t run into the same issue in the future.