LOCAL - Detroit Zoo Could Close

from WDIV Detroit Channel 4

City Council has rejected a proposed agreement to transfer daily operations of the Detroit Zoo to the Detroit Zoological Society, a move the mayor's office says means the zoo could close.

The 7-2 vote came Saturday night following two days of City Council discussions. The plan was part of an effort by Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to narrow a municipal budget deficit. Kilpatrick spokesman James Canning said Sunday that the zoo likely will close, though it wouldn't happen immediately.

The zoo hasn't received official word from Detroit about what the vote means for the facility. But she said it was up to the city to decide what would happen.

Under the agreement, Detroit would have maintained ownership of the zoo, which is located in the suburb of Royal Oak. The mayor's office said the deal would have saved the city about $5 million each fiscal year.

The Detroit Zoological Society is a private group that provides fundraising and program development for the zoo.