SANFORD, Fla. — It's been weeks in the making, and on Wednesday, the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens reopened for the first time since Hurricane Ian. 

During the four-week closure, damages and operation costs were estimated to exceed $800,000.

"Everyone's excited to see the smiling faces, see those kids' eyes pop open when they see the animals for the first time and just be able to let the animals interact with people again, too," Chief Executive Officer Richard Glover said.

Zoo officials said they could never have imagined being in this position when the zoo closed Sept. 28 to ensure the animals were safe before the storm landed. 

The reopening was then delayed because of flooding along the St. Johns River and Lake Monroe, which blocked the zoo's only entrance road.

"Every day we've had staff, even when the water made the road impassable," Glover said. "We've had staff coming in and out every day to take care of the animals, so they get the care they need, they get interaction."

All the animals were safe during and after the storm, zoo officials said.

Most exhibits will be open to guests, but the flooding impacted some areas. The boardwalk and bear exhibit will temporarily remain closed for cleanup.

"We had a fair amount of damage from the actual hurricane, but we actually had as much damage from the flooding that came after the hurricane was over," Glover said.

Wekiva Island is holding a fundraiser Friday night from 4 p.m. - 11 p.m. to try to help raise money to pay damage repair costs. A percentage of sales will go toward the zoo, and 100% of the proceeds from the silent auction and raffle will be donated.

Glover said he is most excited to have the educational opportunities return now that the zoo is open again.

"Everyone loves to talk about the animals," Glover said. "Everyone loves to teach people about conservation, and the only way we could do that for the last month was on social media. So, the staff who does that daily is just excited to get back to that."