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Schools visit the Zoo
TThe Zoo, along with much of the Gulf Coast was devastated by
Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis is still recovering. A fundraising campaign has
been ongoing to save the Zoo through community involvement including
everything from animal adoption, corporate sponsorships and pledges, to
Zoo calendars. One eight-year old girl even designed a bumper sticker to
promote the Zoo. The goal is to raise three million dollars by the end of
2008. To date the campaign has brought in over one million dollars, which
was needed to keep the Zoo open; it is only a start. More funding is needed
to achieve the goals set by new Zoo director, Danyelle Lantz, who has a
background in finance.
Currently, the Zoo has no government funding and according to Lantz,
most Zoos in America get 25-40 percent of their support through government
sources. Lantz’s goal is to increase the funding of the Zoo through
federal grants and state appropriations, as well as allocation of local bed
taxes. She is also working to increase Zoo attendance.
“If we can raise the level of experience our visitors have, there’s no
limit to what the Zoo can become,” said Lantz.
Lantz’s enthusiasm shows when she explains how Tampa’s Lowry Park
Zoo, rated the number two Zoo in America, got to that point. She said that
Osiris, a Leopard
Orangutan dad, Kerigan, with baby Indah
Gabby, the Giraffe
Ivan, a Comodo Dragon
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