Zoo recovery underway as Airmen volunteer with clean-up Published April 26, 2012 By Maj. Shane Balken Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Although an ark wasn't needed to carry away more than 250 animals from the Roosevelt Park Zoo last summer during Minot's worst-ever flood, base volunteers could have used an ark to carry away the silt, leaves, and other debris they have been cleaning up during the past month. Jennifer Fry, Education Coordinator for the zoo, said the park sustained anywhere from eight to twelve feet of water during the flood and destroyed the buildings and grounds. She estimates the damage to be around $2 million to repair the facilities and grounds. "Fortunately we had enough time to evacuate all the animals safely before the flooding occurred. But now we are heavily relying on volunteers to help with the clean-up efforts," said Fry. "The base has been great. Every weekend we've had more than a hundred volunteers helping out." One of the base volunteers who has been helping every weekend is Senior Airman Andrew Staruk, of the 705th Munitions Squadron. Staruk arrived in Minot in September and immediately asked what he could do to help out in town. "I called the park and recreation board and asked if they needed any help because I know their budget is usually pretty small and they are short-staffed," said Staruk. "Whenever I can, I give them a hand and go help. I love volunteering." Staruk isn't new to lending a hand. During his four-month tour in Iraq as a Third Country National escort, he earned a Volunteer Service Medal for helping out the United Servicemen Organization office by pitching in 791 hours. "I had a lot of extra time, and while some people played video games and watched movies in their down-time, I just wanted to help out," said Staruk. Along with Staruk, hundreds of Airmen have taken the same attitude towards the Minot Zoo and have really made a huge difference in the clean-up efforts according to Dave Merritt, Director of the Minot Zoo. After the flood receded, the park grounds were left with a covering of silt that must be removed before any grass and other vegetation will grow again. Most of the small spaces in the park can only be accessed with a shovel and must be removed by hand, said Merritt. "It's been incredibly gratifying," said Merritt of the volunteer effort. "Traditionally we get a lot of volunteers at the zoo, but this has been a non-traditional year. The work that they (Airmen) have been doing is pretty rugged and physical, and they haven't shied away from it all. It's been wonderful." Merritt estimates that at least four large roll-off dumpsters of leaves have been cleared out, and several additional dump trucks of silt have been removed. Once the clean-up is finished, there is still painting and building restoration work to be done. Merritt said the exotic animals are currently scattered throughout the country at other zoos and will slowly be transported back to Minot. "We probably won't have a lot of animals this summer but we are still optimistic to have the zoo open to the public later this summer," said Merritt. For more information on volunteering at the zoo, contact Staruk at 723-3592 or Jennifer Fry at 857-4166.