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Zoos fall victim to financial downturn
Source: Agencies |
January 14, 2009, Wednesday
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Print Edition
EVEN porcupines could get laid off in the slumping economy of the United States as various 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 US$15.4 billion budget shortfall, Governor David Paterson has called for cutting funding for the Zoo, Botanical Garden and Aquarium Program from US$9 million to US$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.
New York isn't the only UN state where hard financial times threaten government support for zoos, aquariums and gardens ?? known collectively as "living museums."
In California, city council members ordered work halted late last year on a new US$42 million elephant exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo because of the city's fiscal woes. In North Carolina, state lawmakers recently told the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro it won't get US$4 million for repairs and new exhibits because of a budget shortfall.
Last year, city leaders slashed the Kansas City Zoo's budget by 20 percent, while the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore closed four weeks early this winter to save money. In Florida, state lawmakers cut US$2 million for manatee hospitals at Lowry Park Zoo, SeaWorld and the Miami Seaquarium.
Living museums typically operate funding from government, philanthropic organizations, corporations and admission and sales revenues, said Steve Feldman, executive director of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
"It's been more difficult for some than others, depending on their mix," Feldman said. "But nearly all are being forced to cut back."
The Wildlife Conservation Society posted a video on YouTube of the zoo's director laying off a porcupine.
As part of his plan to help New York address a potential US$15.4 billion budget shortfall, Governor David Paterson has called for cutting funding for the Zoo, Botanical Garden and Aquarium Program from US$9 million to US$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.
New York isn't the only UN state where hard financial times threaten government support for zoos, aquariums and gardens ?? known collectively as "living museums."
In California, city council members ordered work halted late last year on a new US$42 million elephant exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo because of the city's fiscal woes. In North Carolina, state lawmakers recently told the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro it won't get US$4 million for repairs and new exhibits because of a budget shortfall.
Last year, city leaders slashed the Kansas City Zoo's budget by 20 percent, while the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore closed four weeks early this winter to save money. In Florida, state lawmakers cut US$2 million for manatee hospitals at Lowry Park Zoo, SeaWorld and the Miami Seaquarium.
Living museums typically operate funding from government, philanthropic organizations, corporations and admission and sales revenues, said Steve Feldman, executive director of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
"It's been more difficult for some than others, depending on their mix," Feldman said. "But nearly all are being forced to cut back."
The Wildlife Conservation Society posted a video on YouTube of the zoo's director laying off a porcupine.
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