The Bronx Zoo has grounded the aerial cable car ride where passengers were stranded 100 feet above zoo animals for hours last year.
Zoo officials say the decision to close the Skyfari ride has nothing to do with last July's accident. They say it had become too costly to maintain.
The ride takes passengers over the animals. It's the third most popular attraction at the zoo.
It came to a halt July 9 after one of the cars derailed because of hot weather and strong winds. More than two dozen riders were stranded in gondolas above lions and baboons.
Zoo spokeswoman Mary Dixon says that they hope to instead build an indoor theater that would spray mists or blow air on audiences.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
