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Zoo considers closing doors

Franklin Hayes/Gulf Breeze News Zoo Keeper Lori Holt of Milton feeds a male mandrill named Ben a small piece of melon. Zoo officials say they may have to close down because of debt. Could this be the last summer to watch lions bask in the sun at The Zoo - Northwest Florida? Park officials say they need $3 million within the next year and at least $1 million of it by the end of 2007 to keep the park open.

The Gulf Coast Zoological Society, the non-profit organization that officially assumed management responsibilities for the park in 2004, is launching a community-based fundraiser to save the 50-acre park that boasts a collection of 1,400 different species. Zoo officials are asking for pledges to see if there is enough public interest to keep The Zoo in Gulf Breeze.

"We can't generate attendance fast enough to recover from the hurricanes," said The Zoo's Executive Director, H. Douglas Kemper Jr. The director pointed out that despite last December's record-breaking attendance, more visitors would be needed to eliminate The Zoo's accrued debt. Kemper projected the park would need 180,000 visitors annually for the park to break even, due to hurricane recovery debt. In 2006, the park had a little more than 147,000 visitors.

Franklin Hayes/Gulf Breeze News Paddington, a 12-year-old American black bear, looks out from his pen at The Zoo - Northwest Florida July 6. Park officials expressed concerns about the facility's financial status, but remained optimistic that the park had proven it's worth to the community.

"30,000 school kids came to The Zoo on fieldtrips last year," The Zoo's Director of Visitor Services Natalie Akin said, pointing out the educational benefits of the park. "How can you explain what a giraffe is like unless you have one?"

Officials say hurricanes in 2004 and 2005 caused The Zoo to close for nearly six months within one year, which caused a loss of $914,000 in projected revenues. In the recovery process, officials said The Zoo received no federal assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or any other disaster recovery organization and is still fighting for insurance help. The lack of financial support caused The Zoo to rack up nearly $2 million in debt since the storms.

"We could ask for less money to scrape by and keep the doors open, but then we'd be back in the same place next year, asking for money again," Kemper said.

In the event that park officials are unable to raise the amount of money needed, officials said their animal collection would be dispersed among other zoos and licensed breeders. Kemper said the park's acreage, including several acres of premiere Highway 98 frontage, would be put on the market.

"For some, this could even be another sign that Northwest Florida is an economic sinkhole and not a desirable place to work, invest or live," said Chuck Emling board member of the Gulf Coast Zoological Society. "Every measure should be taken to see that our worldclass regional Zoo not only survives, but thrives. Citizens and government leaders should join in support of this effort."

Aside from the educational benefits of the park, the loss of The Zoo would also have an impact on the local economy. According to a recent study by the Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development, The Zoo generates about $6.5 million for the local economy and state and over $300,000 in local tax revenues annually.

For more information, visit http://www.thezoonorthwestflorida. org or call 850-932- 2229.