Moncton zoo taking in animals from flooded Calgary Zoo

The Magnetic Hill Zoo in Monctonwill be taking in some animal refugees from the flood-damaged Calgary Zoo, says managerBruce Dougan.

Two giant ant eaters, believed to be the only pair in Canada,and two Hyacinth Macaw parrots are expected to arrive within two to four weeks, he said.

And they're expected to stay for at least three to five years as the Calgary Zoo slowly rebuilds, said Dougan.

The Calgary Zoo was hard hit when the Bow River overflowed last month. The gushing water damaged animal enclosures, botanical exhibits and 40 buildings, forcing the zoo to close its doors and lay off 300staff.

The estimated damage to the zoo from the June flooding is $60 million, including lost revenue.

Dougan said Calgary zoo officials sent an email to all accredited zoos in Canada, looking for help.

"We looked at the list and saw what we could accommodate here at the zoo and sent them back a list of animals that we could accommodate and we agreed on thetwo pair of animals that we are taking," he said.

"As far as I know they are the only giant ant eaters in the country and we did have an exhibit that we could modify to accommodate them so we decided that we could accommodate those," said Dougan.

The Hyacinth Macaws are"the world's largest parrot," he said.

"They're very striking, a kind of violet blue, and they have yellow rings around their eyes. They're a large parrot and very beautiful."

The Moncton zoo had also offered to take some cotton-topped tamarins and some two-toed sloths, but they had already been accepted by other zoos.

The Calgary Zoo is expected to reopen in phases, starting July 31.