Report: Zoo animals could be euthanized

BOSTON - State budget cuts may force Boston's Franklin Park Zoo to shut down and euthanize some animals.

Officials at zoo operator Zoo New England said in a letter to legislators that without more funding they'll shut down in October. They also said they'll have to close the Boston zoo's smaller counterpart, the Stone Zoo in Stoneham.

The Legislature originally provided $6.5 million to the zoos, more than half of its budget. But Gov. Deval Patrick cut the funding to $2.5 million.

Cyndi Roy, a Patrick spokeswoman, said the cut was necessary to fund important services for struggling families.

If the cut stands, Zoo New England says it would lay off most of its 165 employees and may have to destroy some of its 1,000 animals, if it can't find them homes.

Read the statement from Zoo New England:
There are no plans for the Zoo to euthanize any animals in the collection as a result of the budget cuts. As the original statement explains, IF the Zoos were to close to the public and control of the Zoos reverted back to the Commonwealth (as described in Massachusetts General Law 92B), it would take 2-3 years to place as many of the Zoos' animals as possible in other facilities, and it would not be possible to place an estimated 20% of them. Under this scenario, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts - NOT Zoo New England - would be faced with the prospect of choosing between two options for the animals that could not be placed: caring for these animals for many years to come or euthanizing them. Failing to over-ride the governor's veto is projected to cost the state more than twice the supposed $4 million "savings" in direct FY10 expenses - such as staffing costs, utilities, food and veterinary care for the animals, and property maintenance - and millions more in subsequent years. Zoo New England does not have other funds committed that would enable the zoos to remain open if this veto remains in effect. It was reported in February 2009 that Zoo New England has planned a significant expansion of the Zoos. The Zoos have in fact completed a strategic master plan that would be executed over a 10-year period (the plan's creation was funded by private foundations, not the Commonwealth). To help fund some of the facilities improvements called for in this plan, Zoo New England was authorized to receive up to $30 million in capital funding- not operating funding - from the Commonwealth over a 5-year period as part of a 2008 General Obligations bond. As is always the case with bond funding, the governor determines how much, if any, funds are to be released to pay for specific projects called for in the legislation that created the bond. To date, Zoo New England has not received any of these funds. Zoo New England will be providing no further comment at this time.

Read the statement from Gov. Patrick's office:
The national economic crisis has left the state with a $5 billion budget gap, forcing the Governor and Legislature to make tough choices in order to balance the budget and protect core services like education, health care and job growth. Like families throughout the Commonwealth, the state must cut back and the $4 million reduction to the zoo budget is just one example of spending decisions we've made to live within our means.

The Governor has asked state officials to work with the zoo to ensure the safety and well-being of all the animals. In addition, we encourage private sector partners and donors to assist the zoo during these challenging times.