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It was the drumming in of a new era for what's come to be known as the World's best little Zoo.

Sharon Mattola, Director, Belize Zoo
"No one is going to criticize what's here now it's a very innovative approach to the zoo it's very new. There are very many different aspects and added elements to the zoo, am I satisfied? I am still in shock."

In shock for very good reasons, only a little more than a month and a half after untangling the web of destruction caused by Hurricane Richard, the iconic attraction was officially reopened to the public by ITS founding Director, Sharon Mattola.

Sharon Mattola, Director, Belize Zoo
"I am still in shock about what happen and I am still warm inside about the amount of unity that happen, the amount of dedication, the amount of pull togetherness from the people that work here to make this happen. It has been without a doubt the most extraordinary time in my life."

And while it's not back on its feet 100 percent yet, the Belize Zoo has already made great strides at rebuilding, as is reflected in the new habitats for some of its most popular residents.

Sharon Mattola, Director, Belize Zoo
"What we concentrated on were the major attractions, they harpy eagle exhibit still needs some work but we made some repairs. As you can see the king vulture exhibit which was totally reshuffled, dismembered by Hurricane Richard, the scarlet macaws; those 2 main exhibits have been redone. The jaguar exhibit was not viewable, we had to redo that, the harpy eagle, the jaguar, the scarlet macaw, the tapirs, the animals that people really want to see."

Monumental structures like this Guanacaste tree downed by the destructive force of Hurricane Richard remain embedded in the new and invigorative look being carved out of the devastation. The symbolism though of how quickly the Zoo was able to get back on its feet was not lost on those who got a first peak today at the extraordinary work.

Senator Omar Figueroa, Conservation Biologist
"I am very impress actually not only are they bouncing back but bouncing back stronger that they were before so it's very encouraging to see what they have, just taking advantages of what they had, a tree fell and now you build a platform on top of that tree just a constant reminder that the storm came and hit us down but it didn't knock out the guys at the zoo so I am very encourage to come here and to see the zoo coming back stronger."

Desi Figueroa, Visitor
"We got to see a lot of defects of the hurricane still there and we got a good look at it, they have done a wonderful job in rebuilding, it seems to have taken a super human effort to rebuild."

Marge Gallagher, Visitor
"It's much lighter; I think it's miraculous what they have done with the cages. I visited here a lot and I saw how many big trees there were and how many big trees are down and the fact that it's all clean up is amazing. I think one good thing is to see how quickly a place like this can recover, it's amazing what the staff has done and the fact that the animals all survive and seem happy to have people back seeing them is amazing."

Meanwhile, as the BDF air wing saluted the historic occasion with a fly pass, the country's top diplomats along with Belize's first lady and Zoo officials, reveled in dancing to the beats of the Ugundani group of drummers.

Sharon Mattola, Director, Belize Zoo
"Rebuilding a zoo is a very expensive project but the zoo is very necessary, it's a beloved institution here and we are determine to get this place up and running."

"And so, coming out of one of its darkest moments, the emergence of a new and brighter future for the Worlds' Best Little Zoo", Reporting for Seven News, I'm Jim McFadzean.

If you would like to help in the Zoo's renovation efforts, donations can be made by logging on to the Belize Zoo's website, at www.belizezoo.org.