Park board approves zoo animal moves and five‑year plan as avian‑flu risk reshapes priorities

The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board on Feb. 19 approved Washburn Zoo’s request to relocate four rabbits and to bring five fallow deer fawns into its fallow deer exhibit, and it approved the zoo’s 2025–2029 strategic plan.

Jamie Huss of Washburn Zoo described the animal moves as part of a short‑term effort to reduce avian‑influenza risk and to refresh an aging fallow deer population. "We request to . . . relocate the 4 rabbits we have at the zoo . . . so we could use some construction in the red barn, to make some spaces safer from avian flu risk," Huss said. She added the zoo wants to bring in five fallow deer fawns “because we have an aging collection” and to keep the fallow deer exhibit active.

Board members then voted, by voice, to approve the animal request. The motion passed with an audible…