Community Corner

Zoo Balloon Damaged Beyond Repair by Recent Storms

The balloon has been part of the city's skyline since July 2002.

The Channel 6 Zoo Balloon, which has been a fixture of both the Philadelphia skyline and trips to the nation's first zoo for more than 10 years, will fly no more.

The balloon was damaged by the weight of all the snow we've have this winter, 6ABC said, saying the balloon had between 5 and 10 tons of snow on it.

Even before this winter's extreme snow, 2014 was to be the last year for the balloon, The Philadelphia Zoo said, and a farewell ceremony had been planned for Labor Day 2014. Mother Nature simply moved those plans up.

The Philadelphia Zoo hasn't yet announced its plans for the space left vacant by the balloon.

The Zoo Balloon first graced the Philadelphia skyline in July 2002, and since then more than 228,000 people have ridden it, the zoo said.

Will you miss the Zoo Balloon?


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