ASHEBORO, N.C. -- The North Carolina Zoo is still closed after two weeks of winter weather.
Snow, ice, and fallen branches cover the 2,000 acre park causingmany paths leading to the animal exhibits impassable.
The park does have salt and gravel, but zoo director Dr. David Jones said it's just enough to keep main walkways open for staff to tend the animals.
“The key thing in a big place like this is, you got to get people -- animals have to be fed and watered -- you have to get people to those animals. That's the prime consideration in all of this," said Jones.
Jones said the slick conditions would be dangerous for visitors.
"Here we just have to be so aware of liability because folks very often, they don't come properly dressed, they don't have the right shoes on, and frankly they assume that if they slip over it's somebody else's fault," said Jones.
Jones said the absence of foot traffic doesn't affect the park's bottom line and attendance during the winter months is fairly low anyway.
"It's not a big deal, and we just have to put all our resources to maintaining access to the animals and plants," said Jones.
The zoo will remain closed this weekend.