Continuing financial woes have forced the Little River Zoo to close as an animal sanctuary. The zoo has been closed to the public since January because of money problems.
Director Janet Schmid said she is in the process of finding homes for about 240 animals. Some of those are exotic animals under the jurisdiction of the federal government that must be placed in federally-approved facilities, she said.
Agencies interested in the exotic animals submitted bids for them, she said. They were sold to the highest bidder Wednesday and will be moved to various locations as soon as the paperwork is complete, she said.
Other animals will go to farms or other interested buyers, Schmid said.
“It's a very sad time here. Emotions are running high. The staff, board of directors and families who loved the Little River Zoo are heartbroken,” Schmid said.
The zoo, which is on 120th Avenue SE, south of State Highway 9, is a nonprofit corporation that relied solely on donations to survive.
“Unfortunately, we have not had the support needed to keep the sanctuary open. Our finances are depleted,” she said.
Janet and Bill Schmid cofounded the zoo in the early 1990s, but have been unable to afford much-needed repairs.
A bad economy and an aging facility has led to a decision by the board of directors to close the zoo for good, Schmid said.
“We have looked for a buyer who could afford to make repairs and keep it open to the public, but we just haven't been able to find one,” she said.
A 2-year-old boy visiting the zoo with his father was injured in 2009 when the boy approached a lynx cage and was attacked.
Schmid said the child has recovered and the matter was settled.
“That really had nothing to do with our financial problems. It's the economy,” she said.
Schmid said she appreciates all the people who care about the zoo's animals and have believed in what the zoo stood for.
“We hope their memories of the zoo will live forever in their hearts,” she said.
