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Detroit Zoo leaders brief Wayne County authority on attendance dip, births and new 7-acre Discovery Trails
Summary
Detroit Zoo staff reported year-to-date attendance pressures but highlighted a baby boom, a major winter light show and a planned 7-acre Fred and Barbara Herb Discovery Trails with accessible canopy walk and new hands-on exhibits; staff stressed expanded community access programs in Wayne County.
Detroit Zoo leadership briefed the Wayne County Zoological Authority on attendance, community programming and capital plans, saying gate revenue is down while membership and targeted outreach have increased.
Dr. Haley Murphy, who the chair introduced as director of the Detroit Zoo, said the zoo’s paid gate attendance is down and that staff are watching expenses closely; "All the zoos and aquariums are down, some as much as 20%." Murphy added, "We do over 6,000,000 lights," describing the zoo’s Wild Lights production that runs 31 nights and is produced by in-house staff.
Murphy and Dr. Amanda Hamlin…
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