LOCAL UPDATE - Zoo Will Remain Open

from WDIV Detroit Channel 4

After hours of debate, the Detroit City Council voted 6-3 Wednesday to keep the Detroit Zoo open.

Under the agreement, the Detroit Zoo will be transferred over to the Detroit Zoological Society, and council members say Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's appearance may have made a difference.

Under the terms of the agreements, the city is mandated to turn over $5 million within 15 days to the Zoological Society.

The next course of action is trying to retain the loss of $4 million in state aid. The City Council gave up the aid by rejecting the original proposal At this point, residents will not see any changes at the zoo. The zoo was expected to close May 1 under a shut down plan.