Cutbacks in funding lead to downsizing at zoos

Cutbacks are coming as state and local governments try to achieve anything resembling a balanced budget. One of the items on chopping blocks across the country is support for local zoos and aquariums. New York has one of the most prominent examples of zoo cutbacks. Governor Paterson is cutting the budget for zoos and related entities by more than half--$4 million for 2009--and cutting funding completely in the 2010 budget.