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Finances may force zoo in Logan to close

Posted at 7:07 PM, Apr 20, 2012
and last updated 2012-04-20 22:34:41-04

LOGAN -- The Willow Park Zoo is struggling to stay open. Revenue has dropped and if things do not change, they will have to close next summer.

Sitting on nine acres, Willow Park home to tortoises, ravens, peacocks and wolves. There are entry fees for visitors, but they are not enough to make up for the $100,000 in revenue the zoo needs to stay afloat.

Zoo spokesperson Russ Akena says the zoo operates on $300,000 a year, part of which comes from sales take and state grants. But to raise the rest of the money, admission sales and private donation usually make up for the rest, until this year.

The city is hoping private donors will step up to try and help bridge the gap so they don’t have to close down the zoo that has been a community fixture since 1970.