(Michigan City, IN) - Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City will be temporarily closed next month for maintenance and repairs. The zoo at the lakefront is scheduled for closure from September 19-23.

According to park department officials, the reason is to make minor repairs and maintenance in the zoo’s Jungle Building.

“Zoo management feels that the staff needs to focus on these tasks at hand, and closing to the general public is the most efficient and safe way to accomplish their goals,” officials said.

Some animals at the zoo will be moved from their viewing habitats to other holding areas until the tasks are completed. Construction work to expand the African Lion and Bengal Tiger habitats would continue during the closure.

The expanded habitat called Big Cat Canyon is scheduled to open on April 1.

Officials said the new space would add around 3,000 square feet of space for the cats and bring guests up close to the animals, with glass windows and rock-faced walls replacing the current wire mesh.