New York Fiscal Crisis Hits Zoos and Aquarium

NEW YORK, New York, April 17, 2003 (ENS) - Three New York zoos and the New York Aquarium are facing grim budget figures for fiscal year 2004, and the Wildlife Conservation Society, which operates these facilities for the city, is scrambling for funds to keep the animals now in their care. In his executive budget summary Tuesday, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg delivered a blow to the financial structure of the zoos and aquarium based on the budget shortfall of approximately $3.8 billion for FY 2004.

The ongoing national economic downturn, compounded by the war against terrorism, and, most recently, by reduced international travel continues to wreak havoc on New York’s economy, the mayor said.

Mayor Bloomberg said that as one budget balancing measure the Department of Parks and Recreation will eliminate subsidies to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) for Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn, and the Queens Wildlife Center, and will not hire approximately 1,155 part time seasonal parks and playground workers next summer.

The city's fourth zoo, in Central Park, is not targeted for budget cuts at this time.

John Calvelli, WCS senior vice president for public affairs said, "Overall, WCS is facing a more than 50 percent reduction in city support. We want to continue to help New York survive this fiscal crisis. "But we can't fire a bear, or lay off a baboon."

Cotton-topped tamarin at the Prospect Park Zoo (Photo courtesy WCS)

Additional budget cuts to zoo and aquarium operating money received by WCS through the city's Department of Cultural Affairs would require the potential elimination of 87 union positions at the Bronx Zoo and the New York Aquarium.

At the Aquarium the potential cuts could be "devastating," WCS officials say. Necessary exhibit closings would so diminish the experience at the facility that "little would be left," says Richard Lattis, WCS senior vice president for living institutions who oversees all the New York City zoos and the aquarium. Key exhibits such as the beluga whales may have to be eliminated.

First opened on December 10, 1896, in lower Manhattan, the New York Aquarium is the the oldest continually operating aquarium in the United States. Located on 14 acres by the sea in Coney Island, the New York Aquarium is home to over 350 species of aquatic wildlife and over 8,000 specimens. At the Aquarium’s Osborn Laboratories of Marine Sciences, studies are underway into dolphin cognition, satellite tagging of sharks, and coral reefs.

At the Bronx Zoo, proposed cuts could mean permanently closing many exhibits. The zoo might have to close during the winter months, and fewer seasonal employees would be hired. Usually, the Bronx Zoo is the largest employer of young people in its home borough, providing 800 jobs a year.

Closing the Queens and Prospect Park zoos would mean that roughly 800 animals would have to find new homes at other accredited zoos. A herd of elk, a troop of baboons, twin spectacled bears, two prairie dog colonies, wallabies, eagles, owls, red pandas, endangered monkeys and American bison are among the more than 160 mammal, bird and reptile species now living at the two zoos.

Male mountain lion at the Queens Zoo (Photo courtesy WCS)

Today the Wildlife Conservation Society is asking New Yorkers to help stop the proposed city budget cuts. Dr. Steven Sanderson, president and CEO of the society said, "This is not a budgetary exercise. This is the lives of 211 people, the displacement of thousands of animals, and the dismantling of the world's largest and most distinguished network of urban wildlife parks."

While the city's new budget is negotiated over the next six weeks, WCS is mounting a petition signing campaign at its four zoos and aquarium and urging New Yorkers to visit the animals to show their support. Supporters can email city officials from the Bronx Zoo website at: http://www.bronxzoo.com,

Dr. Sanderson is seeking help from the New York state government based in Albany. "We want to add our voice to those of city officials. Albany needs to come through for New York City," Sanderson said.

The zoos and aquarium are not alone in feeling the budget squeeze. Mayor Bloomberg announced cuts to the Fire Department, the Department of Education and the Administration for Children’s Services, and also the Department for the Aging.

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will close 12 of 30 Child Health Clinics, and will terminate 165 employees in the School Health Program, ending the Hepatitis B Immunization Initiative.

To avoid further cuts, New York City is requesting that the state reform the personal income tax regulations to increase city revenue by $1.4 billion.