http://www.northescambia.com/2009/08/last-weekend-zoo-to-close-due-to-lack-of-funding Local News for Molino, Bratt, McDavid, Century, Walnut Hill, Cantonment Sat, 25 Apr 2026 02:06:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://www.northescambia.com/2009/08/last-weekend-zoo-to-close-due-to-lack-of-funding/comment-page-1#comment-18140 Shut it down Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:02:24 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=10173#comment-18140 Gulf Shores has "The little zoo that could" we have "The little zoo that should" shut down that is. I have been to Gulf Breeze Zoo several times over the last several years and everytime I leave feeling disappointed and slightly disgusted over the manner in which some of these animals are kept. Had a good friend who did her internship through PJC at that zoo and she told me many horror stories about animals being neglected. I feel for those who will lose their jobs, but for the sake of the animals it is time set them free or at least allow them to receive adequate care somewhere else. Gulf Shores has “The little zoo that could” we have “The little zoo that should” shut down that is. I have been to Gulf Breeze Zoo several times over the last several years and everytime I leave feeling disappointed and slightly disgusted over the manner in which some of these animals are kept. Had a good friend who did her internship through PJC at that zoo and she told me many horror stories about animals being neglected. I feel for those who will lose their jobs, but for the sake of the animals it is time set them free or at least allow them to receive adequate care somewhere else.

]]> http://www.northescambia.com/2009/08/last-weekend-zoo-to-close-due-to-lack-of-funding/comment-page-1#comment-18137 robert Hudson Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:52:41 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=10173#comment-18137 Well hate to see it close, but if it cannot support itself, then it must close. It is not the business of the counties to support it. And I do not think that Escambia county has the funds or should expect the tax payers to support it. Support should come from private funds. Well hate to see it close, but if it cannot support itself, then it must close. It is not the business of the counties to support it. And I do not think that Escambia county has the funds or should expect the tax payers to support it. Support should come from private funds.

]]> http://www.northescambia.com/2009/08/last-weekend-zoo-to-close-due-to-lack-of-funding/comment-page-1#comment-18125 Darryl Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:52:29 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=10173#comment-18125 Having worked with the North Carolina Zoo, I know how expensive it is to operate a zoo, especially with a facility that meets current regulations and has exhibits that are humane. I don't know the level of quality the NW Florida Zoo was trying to maintain, but with the realization that the four counties that were trying to support it are not large population centers, thus not large tax bases, it seems they were fighting a loosing battle. The zoo in NC that receives state support has had to put on hold or cancel new exhibits or improvements to old exhibits. Having worked with the North Carolina Zoo, I know how expensive it is to operate a zoo, especially with a facility that meets current regulations and has exhibits that are humane. I don’t know the level of quality the NW Florida Zoo was trying to maintain, but with the realization that the four counties that were trying to support it are not large population centers, thus not large tax bases, it seems they were fighting a loosing battle. The zoo in NC that receives state support has had to put on hold or cancel new exhibits or improvements to old exhibits.

]]> http://www.northescambia.com/2009/08/last-weekend-zoo-to-close-due-to-lack-of-funding/comment-page-1#comment-18119 Ron Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:02:45 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=10173#comment-18119 Apparently the Zoo is not a viable operation. County taxpayers can't be burdened with every "nice to have" undertaking that comes along. If private donations and admission revenues aren't enough then let it go. Apparently the Zoo is not a viable operation. County taxpayers can’t be burdened with every “nice to have” undertaking that comes along. If private donations and admission revenues aren’t enough then let it go.

]]> http://www.northescambia.com/2009/08/last-weekend-zoo-to-close-due-to-lack-of-funding/comment-page-1#comment-18026 Sylvia Godwin Sun, 16 Aug 2009 01:59:31 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=10173#comment-18026 I hate seeing the zoo close. We took our granddaughters many times when they were growing up. They always lov to go. I hope something will work out that it can remain open. I hate seeing the zoo close. We took our granddaughters many times when they were growing up. They always lov to go. I hope something will work out that it can remain open.

]]> http://www.northescambia.com/2009/08/last-weekend-zoo-to-close-due-to-lack-of-funding/comment-page-1#comment-18011 Al Sat, 15 Aug 2009 19:04:33 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=10173#comment-18011 It makes me so sad to think of the zoo closing. I have made a few trip out so far this year.... everytime I go there are improvements and changes from the time before. I hope the counties step in and support the zoo. It makes me so sad to think of the zoo closing. I have made a few trip out so far this year…. everytime I go there are improvements and changes from the time before.
I hope the counties step in and support the zoo.

]]> http://www.northescambia.com/2009/08/last-weekend-zoo-to-close-due-to-lack-of-funding/comment-page-1#comment-18007 interested reader Sat, 15 Aug 2009 15:30:49 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=10173#comment-18007 The Zoo benefits FOUR counties, Santa Rosa, Escambia, Okaloosa, & Walton. They need to get together and find a permanent solution. The Zoo cannot support itself and if the counties are not willing to do it the Zoo needs to be closed and the animals moved to a place that CAN support them. It will be agreat loss to our area both for locals and tourisrts but how long can they limp along in limbo? The Zoo benefits FOUR counties, Santa Rosa, Escambia, Okaloosa, & Walton. They need to get together and find a permanent solution. The Zoo cannot support itself and if the counties are not willing to do it the Zoo needs to be closed and the animals moved to a place that CAN support them. It will be agreat loss to our area both for locals and tourisrts but how long can they limp along in limbo?

]]> http://www.northescambia.com/2009/08/last-weekend-zoo-to-close-due-to-lack-of-funding/comment-page-1#comment-18004 parent Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:30:25 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=10173#comment-18004 This will be a sad day. I can remember many wonder visits to the zoo. This is a great field trip for many students that will not have the change to see these animals unless it is in a school setting. This will be a sad day. I can remember many wonder visits to the zoo. This is a great field trip for many students that will not have the change to see these animals unless it is in a school setting.

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