Funding cuts place zoo at risk

BRADENTON -- Tucked in the shade of lime-green foliage and serenaded with monkey kisses, a modest refuge where at-risk youth and wounded exotic animals heal together is teetering on the cusp of financial breakdown and drowning in a deluge of bad news.

Last month, Laura Jane Stewart, co-owner of the Sarasota-Bradenton Children's Zoo, announced that the state Department of Juvenile Justice declined to fund the zoo's at-risk youth program this year, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture condemned the monkey cage, which rapidly decayed from salty bay air exposure.

Although the state Division of Cultural Affairs supplies 10 percent of the zoo's budget, the sanctuary relied on the Department of Juvenile Justice's program money, which totaled $35,000 last year.

Youths sentenced to community service can perform their duties at the zoo, which opened seven years ago with volunteer elbow grease and operates solely on grants and donations.

There is no zoning in Manatee County for zoos, so in order to gel with code enforcement, the zoo can't charge admission to thrive. The zoo is actually labeled as a wildlife refuge.

Stewart said about 100 at-risk youths peel bananas, guide visitors and chop pet food at the zoo each year.

All of the zoo animals are either wounded or abandoned, and unfit for life in the wild.

Stewart has approached the Manatee County Commission for $10,000.

Zoo officials say they expect to find out in July if any grants will come through.

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