Miami zoo reopens after flooding subsides

The Miami zoo reopened its doors to the public Thursday after closing for five days because of flooding that raised fears of lions and other large predators escaping from their enclosures.

Those fears proved unfounded, with the zoo having weathered the crisis without incident, although some exhibits remained closed to the public on Thursday.

"We are happy to announce that Zoo Miami will be open today," its website said.

The zoo closed on Saturday after heavy rains left some areas of the popular animal park underwater.

Zoo officials said at the time that flooding presented a risk that bears, lions and other big cats might swim out of their enclosures. None did, however.

The zoo has not been closed for such a long stretch since Hurricane Wilma in 2005.

December is already the second rainiest in Miami history since 1895, according to the US Weather Service.