Elmwood Park Zoo And Other Organizations Facing Funding Cuts

By Brad Segall

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) - Norristown's Elmwood Park Zoo and other cultural and educational institutions in Montgomery County are facing significant funding cuts because of a nearly $40 million shortfall in the county budget.

The zoo is putting out an e-mail blitz to its supporters to let them know it is facing the loss of its county funding of $114,000.

"Institutions like the Elmwood Park Zoo need the public-private partnership to continue," explains Wendy Rothstein, a zoo board member. "If there's a loss of one, it threatens the organization."

The zoo will not go out of business and the care of the animals will continue to be a top priority but Rothstein says they will have to make some difficult decisions without the funding.

"We're always looking to bring in animals that have been injured and to care for them. (The funding cut) may prevent us from bringing in as many ones as we want and certainly it's going to affect our ability to provide as many outreach programs and educational programs that we currently do," Rothstein said.

She says residents can help by letting county officials know they want their tax dollars to continue to fund the zoo. She also says residents could step up themselves and volunteer their time or provide financial support to keep the programs moving forward.