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Economic Woes Felt At Zoos, Aquariums

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The Associated Press

Published: January 14, 2009

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Even porcupines could get pink slips in the slumping economy as states consider cutting or eliminating funding that supports zoos, aquariums and botanical gardens.

As part of his plan to help New York address a potential $15.4 billion budget shortfall, Gov. David Paterson has called for cutting funding for the Zoo, Botanical Garden and Aquarium Program from $9 million to $4 million in the state's 2009 budget and for eliminating funding in 2010.

"We can't fire our bears or furlough our sea lions," said John Calvelli, executive vice president of public affairs for the Wildlife Conservation Society, which operates the Central Park and Bronx zoos and the New York Aquarium in Brooklyn, among others.

Other places affected include:

•Florida: State lawmakers cut $2 million for manatee hospitals at Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, SeaWorld Orlando and the Miami Seaquarium.

•Los Angeles: City council members ordered work halted late last year on a new $42 million elephant exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo because of the city's fiscal woes.

•North Carolina: State lawmakers recently told the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro it won't get $4 million for repairs and new exhibits because of a budget shortfall.

•Kansas City, Mo.: Last year, city leaders slashed the Kansas City Zoo's budget by 20 percent

•Baltimore: The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore closed four weeks early this winter to save money and offset budget cuts from the state Legislature.

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