Panhandle zoo awash in debt, care woes

The Zoo Northwest Florida was starting a fundraising drive when two of its animals died.

By TIMES WIRES
Published July 30, 2007

GULF BREEZE - A Florida Panhandle zoo is struggling to survive after the deaths of two popular animals and a $3-million debt exacerbated by back-to-back hurricanes.

"A cookie sale is not going to save it," said Pat Quinn, one of four founding members of the Zoo Northwest Florida. "We need corporations and people in the community with the foresight and heart to say, 'This zoo is too important to let go.' "

The zoo, which has long struggled financially, filed more than $600,000 in hurricane damage claims but received just $59,000 from insurers, said Doug Kemper, the zoo's executive director. The zoo was beginning a critical fundraising drive earlier this month when a baby hippo and a 10-year-old giraffe died within two weeks of each other.

Niles, an 18-month-old baby hippopotamus bitten by her father, died on July 7, but zoo officials didn't announce the death until July 12. On July 17, Sammy the giraffe died after bolting into a post. A necropsy found no clear cause of death. Toxicology reports are pending.

Some former caretakers said the zoo is not providing proper care for the roughly 1,400 animals in its facility.

"You would tell them about health problems with the animals, and they wouldn't do anything about it," said Sandra Dempsey, a six-year employee who left last year after working as head of animal stock and head of cats.

Kemper said the zoo takes good care of its animals. He said the zoo has a normal mortality rate, although national zoo accreditation officials said no such benchmark exists. Kemper said 44 animals have died so far this year, with causes ranging from old age to disease. He was unable to compile last year's deaths when asked last week.

"There is no neglect of animals," Kemper said. "That's just not true."

Jerry Shores, a Fish and Wildlife investigative specialist, said he found no problems at the zoo during a recent walkthrough.

"There were no conditions that warrant investigation," he said. "The only thing we've handled over there in the past six months since I took over the position was when two cougars escaped. They've replaced the fencing and exceeded regulations for the cougar cage."

[Last modified July 30, 2007, 00:47:14]