Zoo requires proper upkeep
Wednesday's No. 2 editorial.
Shorter vacation trips this summer are leading more North Carolina residents to their state zoo near Asheboro. When they get there, they’re finding a widely acclaimed zoological park that’s showing signs of neglect.
The state must take better care of this asset on 1,400 acres around Purgatory Mountain in Randolph County. For years, it’s relied on private funds raised by the North Carolina Zoological Society to pay for big projects, like the recently opened Watani Grasslands Reserve and its expanded elephant and rhinoceros herds. The society contributed more than $7 million to the total cost of about $8 million, its executive director, Russell Williams, said Monday. But the state can’t duck its responsibilities much longer.
The proposed state budget helps with $2.7 million for renovations to the polar bear exhibit, which doesn’t meet current standards. If that’s approved, the society will add $1.8 million.
Replacing the 24-year-old African Pavilion will cost a lot more — possibly $24 million, although plans haven’t been drawn yet. The structure’s population has declined steadily over the years, as have the number of animals grazing on the plain behind it. Williams would like to see the cost split evenly between the state and private funding.
Originally, the society was expected to match one dollar in capital funding for every four dollars provided by the state, said Williams, whose tenure goes back 23 years. But a state appropriation of $3.4 million last year broke a long drought of state capital dollars, Williams said. Now, a one-to-one funding ratio would be an improvement.
The society also pays for some of the zoo’s programming and its elephant-preservation efforts in Cameroon. Generous donors are pulling their weight.
But the zoo belongs to all the people of North Carolina. State government should maintain it as a first-rate facility that not only offers exciting experiences for visitors but keeps animals in a healthy environment conducive to long lives and breeding. That will help make sure visitors continue to enjoy the zoo for years to come.
Comments (2)
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Interesting and surprising editorial. All of the fluff pieces I have read about this zoo in recent months have been centered on the elephant enclosure expansion and heralding the arrival of new elephants from Canada and Arkansas as well as the arrival of 2 elephants from Walt Disney's Animal Kingdom.
Now I read there is maintenance neglect at the zoo. That accompanied by high food & energy prices doesn't bode well for these magnificent elephants as well as the other animals in this zoo, all who are dependent on humans for survival. Very disturbing.
Posted on June 25, 2008 1:00 PM
The larger elephant enclosure and increased herd is the best new development at the zoo. It's part of the Watani Grasslands Reserve mentioned. The African Pavilion is the biggest problem, but the polar bear exhibit is deficient, too. There's only one bear, and the zoo can't acquire more until it builds a considerably larger habitat.
Posted on June 26, 2008 11:30 AM