How you can help the Metro Richmond Zoo recover from the fire

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- The Metro Richmond Zoo has established several ways the public can help the zoo recover from a fire that claimed the life of one animal and destroyed two buildings at the Chesterfield County landmark.

"Right now, we are assessing the damage and taking inventory of what was lost. The cleanup process is just beginning," zoo director Jim Andelin said in a Tuesday update on the Sunday night fire. "The damages to the buildings are significant. Both structures will have to be demolished and completely rebuilt. The two large buildings that burned down were the home base centers for our animal care, vet care, and maintenance operations. The areas where we stored most animal feed, prepared animal diets, conducted surgeries, kept maintenance equipment, and much more are now gone. The damages range from lost veterinary equipment like X-ray and anesthesia machines to destroyed maintenance tools like drills, saws, building materials, ladders, surplus tires, replacement parts, and more. Six golf carts were reduced to nothing more than metal frames. Our zookeeper breakroom was destroyed and staff lost personal belongings."

The zoo remains open as the investigation into the fire continues.

In the meantime, Andelin offered the following actions people can taken to help the zoo at this time:

This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can email [email protected] to send a tip. If you see breaking news, and can do so safely, shoot a photo or video and send it to CBS 6. You can also upload photos to our Facebook page or email [email protected] from your phone.

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