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Los Angeles Zoo warns proposed cuts would erode animal care and maintenance; council asks for memo on elephant relocation costs
Summary
Zoo General Manager Denise Ferrett told the Budget Committee proposed staffing reductions would affect animal care, maintenance and regulatory compliance. Councilmembers requested memos on offsets, facility condition assessments and costs associated with moving elephants.
The Los Angeles Zoo told the City Council Budget Committee on May 6 that proposed budget cuts—19% across programs and workforce—would reduce animal care staffing, maintenance capacity and the zoo’s ability to meet regulatory standards.
What the zoo reported General Manager Denise Ferrett said the proposed reductions would remove 53 positions from the department, including 31 filled positions (layoffs) and 22 vacant positions recommended for deletion. The department asked the committee to restore 10 positions through departmental offsets and to restore one vacancy in exchange for deleting certain funded vacancies. Ferrett said the zoo had not raised admission fees since 2019 and that the proposed budget includes a $5 admission increase in its plan for FY 2026.
Maintenance and…
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