Sedgwick County Zoo requests two zookeeper positions as herd grows, flags animal-health and infrastructure needs

Scott Newland, president and CEO of the Sedgwick County Zoo, told the county commission that the zoo is nearly fully staffed on the county side and that the zoo and its supporting society together operate with roughly a dozen county positions and 30–45 society staff depending on season. Newland said the zoo’s general-fund request includes personnel and contractual items, and he asked for two additional full-time positions to support growing elephant care. “That would allow us to spread those workloads over more appropriately,” Newland said of the requested hires, which he estimated would cost about $147,000 annually.

The zoo emphasized its regional economic role and operational priorities. Newland said the zoo’s annual economic impact is about $60,000,000 and that resident favorability polls near 97 percent. He presented a SWOT overview focused on staffing gains, long-serving leadership, and the facility’s 50-year-old infrastructure, noting some buildings may need repair or to be taken offline.

Newland also raised animal-health concerns that have changed zoo operations in recent years. He said the zoo has sheltered some birds from the public at times to reduce exposure to avian influenza (H5N1) among its collections, and that the zoo has begun vaccinating primates against measles as a preventive step because great apes are susceptible. “For the first time in my history, probably in the first time in our history, we are vaccinating those animals for measles,” Newland said, adding the action is precautionary.

Commissioners and zoo staff also discussed herd management. Newland said two additional elephant pregnancies remained viable and that the zoo expects young offspring to remain in the herd for about eight to 10 years; females may remain with their natal group longer. He said the facility plans to manage herd size through transfers and future capital expansion to keep staff and space needs aligned. After discussion with staff the commission was told the current herd will number 12 on site once pending births are complete.

Newland said he did not submit a reduction package to offset the two requested positions because he could not identify county-funded animal-care positions to cut without undermining core care, maintenance or horticulture functions. He left the funding decision to the commission.

Newland and commissioners also referenced the zoo’s ongoing capital planning (including an elephant barn expansion) and broader conversations about stable funding sources for cultural attractions.

The presentation did not include a formal vote; the commission discussed the request and asked follow-up questions during the budget hearing.