Name: Oakland Zoo faces permanent closure if it doesn't reopen this month
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Oakland Zoo faces permanent closure if it doesn't reopen this month

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This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigateFollowing drastic budget cuts and millions of dollars in revenue loss, the Oakland Zoo is faced with the possibility of closing permanently if it does not receive approval to reopen this month, according to Dr. Joel Parrott, the zoo’s president and CEO.Normally, attendance soars during July, and the popular summer months are critical to sustaining the zoo’s operating costs through the less-visited winter season.But this year has been anything but normal.In mid-March, the zoo was forced to close with no reopening date in sight. As the pandemic lingered, zookeepers and veterinary staff had their wages cut by 20%, while the zoo’s executive staff saw pay reductions of at least 40%. The following month, all part-time and seasonal employees were laid off, and by July, 15 permanent, full-time employees representing 10% of the zoo’s remaining workforce were also furloughed.RELATED:Now, the zoo is down to a dire $3.2 million in its emergency reserve fund. To put that into perspective, the cost to keep the zoo running at its lowest possible operating budget is $1.2 million per month, focused on caring for the animals and 24/7 public safety.“If we don’t open in July, we won’t make it through the winter,” said Parrott. “And if that’s the case, we have about three months to go.”Though the zoo received a PPP loan in mid-April, it only helped it stay afloat temporarily as it prepared to safely reopen with restrictions in place. Social-distancing markers and hand sanitizer stations were installed throughout the park as staff received special safety training.During this time, the zoo also spearheaded “,” a daily interactive livestream program with the goal of virtually connecting guests with animals and zookeepers during the shelter-in-place order to help generate revenue.But as the zoo continued to wait for approval from county public health officials, the funds from its PPP loan ran out, forcing the park to dip into its already draining financial reserves. The Oakland Zoo is currently classified as a Stage 3 business, but Parrott said the staff is vying for it to be considered as an outdoor museum, allowing it to continue operations. The San Francisco Zoo (which was slated to reopen on Monday but later deferred) attempted to obtain a similar title, but was .MORE:&nbsp;“We’re more like the East Bay Regional Parks than we are like a theater or restaurant,” said Parrott. “When people are here, they are outdoors. They very briefly pass one another and are usually in a small, family-sized group. The zoo is not a threat to public health.”He added that none of the zoo’s employees have tested positive for COVID-19 and are required to wear masks in addition to practicing social distancing. All surfaces are regularly disinfected throughout the day. Additionally, the park’s restaurants, play areas and rides will be closed until further notice.Despite these preparations, Parrott wasn’t expecting guests to show up in droves. He noted zoos that have been able to reopen, such as the Sacramento Zoo, reported a 50% drop in attendance. Anticipating a similar turnout for the Oakland Zoo, the staff is in the process of contacting state officials in the hopes that it can be recognized as a Stage 2 business before time runs out.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;“We’ve cut our budget; we’ve cut our staff,” said Parrott. “We have ramped up as much as we possibly can in our efforts for philanthropy. But philanthropy can’t rescue the zoo.”The public has raised $450,000 since the zoo’s closure in March — an impressive feat, although one that covers just a quarter of their typical monthly operating costs.Still, Parrott said, “We do need donations in an urgent way. At this point, it will all go straight toward the care of the animals.”The zoo is currently operated by the Conservation Society of California, a nonprofit organization that manages the facility for the city of Oakland under a contract. If the zoo does run out of funds, those operations would be taken over by the Oakland Parks Department, which Parrott said is less equipped to operate the zoo and would also be a costly endeavor for the city to take on.On Tuesday afternoon, zoo officials met with the Alameda County board of supervisors. Parrott said supervisors were originally going to write a letter in support of the zoo’s reopening but later decided against doing so.“What we’re confronted with is this: If there’s not going to be another PPP program from the federal government, and the state’s out of money, and the county can’t help … we’re at a loss," said Parrott. "This staff is so committed; they would volunteer to take care of the animals for free before leaving their responsibility. Including me. That’s not sustainable, though.”He said the zoo was left with two options: to drain the rest of their emergency reserve, or reopen to the public again.“That’s the only way we can solve the problem. If we don’t, we most assuredly will run out of money. It’s as simple as that.”Amanda Bartlett is an SFGATE Digital Reporter. Email: amanda.bartlett@sfgate.com | Twitter: @byabartlett

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigateFollowing drastic budget cuts and millions of dollars in revenue loss, the Oakland Zoo is faced with the possibility of closing permanently if it does not receive approval to reopen this month, according to Dr. Joel Parrott, the zoo’s president and CEO.Normally, attendance soars during July, and the popular summer months are critical to sustaining the zoo’s operating costs through the less-visited winter season.But this year has been anything but normal.In mid-March, the zoo was forced to close with no reopening date in sight. As...

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Amanda Bartlett

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Oakland Zoo faces permanent closure if it doesn't reopen this month

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