Founder of Little Ponderosa Zoo James Cox talks about the recovery process, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017.
CLINTON — Little Ponderosa Zoo, which lost about one-fifth of its animals in a fast-moving Dec. 4 fire, will reopen Dec. 30.
Remaining animals at the Clinton zoo and exotic animal rescue are warm and well fed, zoo manager Mary Lou Redmond said Tuesday. Animals rescued from the fire are eating donated food and living in a donated, heated tent.
The fire killed some 45 animals, including macaws, tortoises, monkeys and the zoo's collection of reptiles.
The blaze began just after noon Dec. 4, sparked by an electrical malfunction in the rear of the main barn. The barn, with offices and gift shop, also served as the zoo entrance and housed species from monkeys to birds to foxes to goats.
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Now Little Ponderosa is clearing debris, planning to rebuild and thanking supporters who have showered the zoo with help and prayers. It will reopen at 10 a.m. Dec. 30, Redmond said. The rest of the zoo, including the exhibit for its tigers, wasn't damaged. Little Ponderosa is also an exotic animal rescue.
'Wonderful' community support came fast
Almost as fast as the fire came the help.
"People have just been wonderful. From the Monday it happened, they have rushed supplies to us — food, hay, straw, cages. We lost everything and the community support has been just so touching and overwhelming," Redmond said.
"People have helped us get by day by day and love the place as much as we do. I don't know how many were crying and saying that these animals are their animals, too."
Redmond began to list area schools she knew were raising money to give Little Ponderosa. But she stopped, saying, "There are so many. I just don't want to leave anyone out."
Currently the zoo doesn't need any more food, straw or other items. It does need monetary donations and gift cards to locations that include Ace Hardware, Tractor Supply, Lowe's, True Value Hardware, Home Depot and Walmart.
"We have a massive cleanup effort before us and we want to rebuild something bigger and better," Redmond said. "The community wants us to rebuild."
Rebuilding, fundraisers
Plans are to build a "state-of-the-art" facility with firewalls and other safety measures, perhaps as more than one building, Redmond said.
Several fundraisers are planned. Among them is a Dec. 29 fashion show by Gage Models and Talent at 205 Main St., Clinton. Doors open at 6 p.m., the show is at 7. Tickets are $25 at knoxvillefashionweek.com/ponderosa-benefit/.
The show was the idea of Gage employee and model Adam Stair. He volunteered at Little Ponderosa three and a half years before graduating from high school in 2009. After the fire, Stair returned to the zoo to help.
"I heard about the fire, and my heart just sank," he said. "I knew the animals in that barn. Those were animals I grew up with."
Stair told his fundraising idea to Gage owner Jaime Hemsley. “We enjoy supporting fashion for a cause, and we’re thrilled to host an event to help the zoo as it pursues recovery," Hemsley said in a release announcing the show.
A pancake breakfast fundraiser also is set for 8 a.m. Dec. 30 at Longhorn Steakhouse, 11644 Parkside Drive. Tickets are available at Hardin Valley Animal Hospital, 10017 Hardin Valley Road; Admiral Veterinary Hospital, 204 N. Watt Road; and The Houndry, 351 Belgrade Road in Oak Ridge.
At least two other fundraisers are planned in January. Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank announced on her Facebook page a 6-8 p.m. Jan. 6 fundraiser at the Museum of Appalachia in Clinton and a 7 p.m. Jan. 20 bluegrass and gospel concert at 205 Main, Clinton.
The community support has been uplifting, Redmond said.
"You could just hear everybody's prayers. That's been the thing that has helped us get through. You could just feel the love. It's been very, very touching."