Georgia

Wild Animal Safari prepares to reopen after tornado damage that allowed tigers to escape enclosures

Male Sumatran tiger Sanjiv at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.

TROUP COUNTY, Ga. — Wild Animal Safari, Pine Mountain is preparing to welcome guests back to the park following the extensive damage caused by an EF4 tornado that swept through Troup County last week.

The park plans to reopen in early April.

Park officials said more than 3,000 trees were uprooted or destroyed, causing catastrophic damage to numerous buildings and animal habitats.

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Two tigers briefly escaped their enclosures following the tornado.

Fortunately, thanks to secondary fencing along the park’s perimeter, the tigers never left park property.

The park said in a statement that the tigers will remain in a secure habitat while their original enclosure is restored.

The park’s walk-about section was hit particularly hard and will remain closed until further notice.

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