Buttonwood Park Zoo asks for two additional zookeepers as staff levels flagged during accreditation; director cites community support after recent animal losses

Acting Buttonwood Park Zoo Director Shara Rapoza told the City Council May 21 that the zoo is seeking two additional full‑time zookeeper positions in its FY26 budget and a $6,000 supply increase to offset rising animal feed and supply costs.

Rapoza said the zoo is AZA‑accredited and houses more than 1,200 animals. She described staff shortages documented during a June 2024 accreditation inspection and said adding two keepers is critical as the zoo prepares to open a new animal ambassador center and expand animal care operations. "Low staffing levels were documented ... and as we gear up to open a brand new state of the art animal and animal ambassador center ... the addition of these 2 positions is critical to our success," she said.

The zoo director recounted the December loss of Ruth, the Asian elephant matriarch, and the later death of a harbor seal pup (Blue) from highly pathogenic avian influenza; Rapoza described significant community support and internal staff impacts during the events. She said the zoo has replaced some veterinary contracting with an on‑staff veterinarian since March 2023 and that the city now spends less on outside veterinary services.

Councilors asked operational questions, including a $27,278 postage line (used for shipping lab samples via overnight carriers), a $28,740 line for elephant consultants (foot care services), and why the zoo requests two keepers. Rapoza said the two keeper positions would raise keeper staffing from 11 to 13; each keeper is a full‑time Grade F position with a Step 1 salary approximately $42,174.

Councilors and the director discussed the society’s role: Rapoza said the Buttonwood Park Zoological Society supports the zoo with about $1.9 million in fundraising and operates guest services and some education positions; the society also advances conservation programs and can advance payments for some operational costs that are later reimbursed by the city.

Rapoza said the zoo expects higher revenues in FY26 and asked the council to consider the staffing additions to meet accreditation standards and sustain operations.

Ending: Councilors requested revenue figures for recent fiscal years and asked for updated unit‑classification and salary information; the director said she would provide the revenue numbers and make herself available for follow‑up meetings.

Note: the zoo identified a number of contractual service expenses (water truck lease, pool line hauling, ozone maintenance and specialty foot‑care consultants) and said several positions are in recruitment or onboarding.