Zoo spokesman Rod Hackney said Saturday that the weekend usually is one of the busiest at the state-owned animal park. Zoo Director David Jones said he sincerely regrets the decision but had no alternative.

A 12-inch water pipe that supplies the zoo's African exhibit broke on Thursday. Officials had planned to use portable toilets in that area, but on Friday discovered the water would have to be shut off to the rest of the park.

The zoo will be closed until at least Monday.