Minnesota Zoo wants off Dayton's state shutdown list

The animals would be cared for, but a government shutdown could force the Minnesota Zoo to shut its gates to the public.
Under Gov. Mark Dayton's plan, half of the zoo's 300 employees would be out of work, and the facility would be closed during what is generally its busiest month.
The zoo earns about $50,000 in daily admissions in July, said zoo director Lee Ehmke.
"We're not sure how we would ever recoup what was anticipated to be earned on these days," Ehmke said. "It's what we count on to carry us through the colder and less visited months."
But Dayton's petition, filed in Ramsey County District Court on Wednesday, is not the final word on who would be out of work in the event of a July 1 shutdown. A judge will make the final decision.
The zoo plans to argue that because it can survive on admissions revenue during the summer months, it should be allowed to stay open. Admissions revenue technically belongs to the state, but a permanent appropriation under state law grants that money back to the zoo, Ehmke said.
"Less than 30 percent of our budget comes from state appropriation," he said. "The rest of it we earn at the zoo, and a good portion of that comes in the summer months. It's a strong rationale to keep the zoo open."
A regular zoo visitor for the past two years, Katie Baier of Chippewa Falls, Wis., has a trip to the zoo planned for July 5. She is now unsure whether she will be able to make the two-hour trip with her four daughters.  "We
will be very sad if it closes," Baier said. "I certainly hope it doesn't happen....It is sad to see what could be missed." All 300 state employees who work at the zoo, including Ehmke, received layoff notices this week.
"At this point, we're waiting with everybody else," he said.
Dayton suggested 150 employees should continue working at the zoo to care for and ensure the safety of the animals and the facility. But employees who take admission fees, sweep the grounds and perform other tasks that would allow the zoo to remain open would be out of work.
Zoo officials are particularly worried about a shutdown affecting the grand opening of the new entryway and penguin exhibit, scheduled to open to the public July 9. A special preview for media and VIPs is planned for July 6.
"We're counting on not just a good summer but a very good one with the addition of a popular and fun exhibit to the zoo," Ehmke said.
Eighteen of the 22 penguins that will be on exhibit have already arrived, Ehmke said. The rest should be coming shortly.
The zoo was not subject to closure when the government shut down for eight days in 2005, because the portion of the budget that funds the facility had already been approved.
Though Ehmke said he is confident the zoo will find a way to stay open, the possibility of a shutdown weighs on him.
"It's especially tough for us, given that we've become far more self-sufficient," he said. "We've had several years of very strong growth and success at the zoo. This would be a strong road-blockage to all the progress we've made."
The zoo has exceeded its attendance goal the past two years. Ehmke is hoping for a third.
A hearing to discuss which employees would keep their jobs in a shutdown is scheduled for Thursday.
Jessica Fleming can be reached at 651-228-5435.