Large snow drifts are delaying the winter openings of the Magnetic Hill Zoo.
Zoo Coordinator Bernie Gallant says despite great work from the maintenance crew, there are still some areas where safety is a concern.
High snow drifts piling up against fences are the biggest concern.
Gallant says visitors would be able to walk right up and even in some cases over the fences into animal enclosures, as well ponds covered in snow would also pose a safety risk.
He says many of the animals, especially big cats, like to play in the snow, and so snow is blown into the centre of the animal enclosures to give them room to play.
However, the drifts piled up against the outside of the fence are the potential danger to visitors.
Gallant says they will continue to clear away snow and will reevaluate on March 10th to see when it is safe to be open again.
He says management are very excited to open this year to show off all their new exhibits, including the Tiger areas, their Asian areas and the Guinea Pig Village.