NATURAL BRIDGE, Va. (ROCKTOWN NOW) – The Natural Bridge Zoo is hoping to enter a new era as it reopened for business over the weekend with new leadership at the helm.

According to several reports, the ownership of the zoo has been transferred to Gretchen Mogenson and her brothers, who took over operations from founder Karl Mogenson.

At a press conference last week, Gretchen Mogenson said that the business’ recent legal battle with the state over potential animal abuse has been taxing. In a clip from Roanoke TV news station WDBJ7, she vowed to right the ship moving forward.

“This entire ordeal has been very hard to accept as we, as a family, have always loved the animals with whom we have shared our lives,” Mogenson said in the clip. “We are committed to restarting our beloved party much humbled, greatly improved and forever hopeful.”

The zoo saw 100 of its animals seized by the state earlier this year.