Bronx Zoo Hands Out Pink Slips To Hundreds Of Animals

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by Michael dEstries April 24, 2009
Categories: Animals.

bronxzoo

Looks like the crappy economy isn’t just affecting humans.

The Bronx Zoo has announced that it will be closing four exhibits — effectively laying off hundreds of animals, and having to find new homes for each of them. A $15 million budget shortfall is to blame — with layoffs for humans not far behind as well. “We plan to close four exhibits, four areas of the zoo . . . and we will have to reduce our collections in order to handle the cuts that we already know about,” said Bob Cook, executive vice president of the Wildlife Conservation Society, which runs the zoo.

The four areas shutting down include World of Darkness, Rare Animal Range and exhibits of the Arabian oryx and blesbok, two types of antelope.

I personally cannot imagine the stress these animals will be forced to endure as they’re shipped around. What a bummer — and a real shame. If there’s anything positive, it’s that these four exhibits will be permanently closed — so no other unfortunate creatures will be scooped from the wild to replace them. Then again, it’s also one less way for city dwellers to reconnect with nature — and potentially contribute to conservation of habitat and other efforts. Not much of a win here.

NYPost via HuffPo Green


Categories: Animals.

About Michael dEstries

Michael has been blogging since 2005 on issues such as sustainability, renewable energy, philanthropy, and healthy living. He regularly contributes to a slew of publications, as well as consulting with companies looking to make an impact using the web and social media. He lives in Ithaca, NY with his family on an apple farm.

View all posts by Michael dEstries →
  • Mary Pellegrino

    Calling Paul Simon & Art Garfunkle, seriously, does anyone know how to reach out to them for fund raising for the animals at the Zoo. Share some royalties for a good cause, KEEP these animals in their home at the Zoo, at least until suitable habitat can be located for them-take the edge off the financial crunch, the animals never asked to be placed there and now it is the City’s responsibility to rehome them SAFELY and carefully.

  • s

    i wish there was another way people could see animals without them being kidnapped and held captive. its so sad because even though zoos are basically prisions, without them most people wouldn’t ever see these amazing animals.

  • tina

    Me too. It hurts me to see animals locked up.

  • Ashley

    ^The answer to that is”
    Vacation to Africa and hope that the lions don’t figure out a way to get into the tour bus :]
    I know, I know, too much money.

  • pamela Bucklinger

    I’m not saying that zoos are great but they don’t take animals from the wild. they are all born in captivity and many of them are a part of programs to reintroduce animals back in the wild. too bad there is no wild let to reintroduce them to!

  • Christine

    Closing exhibits and “reducing collection” = unwanted zoo animals to be sold to canned hunting facilities where they will be shot at point blank range for $20K a pop

  • Bill

    Let’s hope they are sending them to a good zoo, where they will be loved and cared for. Why won’t the state help?

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