Hogle Zoo Makes Case For $65 Million Bond

None by Eric Ray

(KCPW News) The trend toward modernization of zoos nationwide has Hogle Zoo hoping to join the crowd. The zoo is asking Salt Lake County for a $65 million bond to complete its master plan to improve the zoo.

Hogle Zoo Executive Director Craig Dinsmore says the only way to justify having animals in a zoo is to place them in a more natural setting and to provide programs for conservation of endangered species. The zoo plans to pull money from the bond as needed for individual projects over the next six to eight years. Dinsmore says the zoo wants approval of the entire amount now in order to ensure completion of the master plan, a key element of which is to make better use of the zoo's available land to the benefit of the animals.

Several members of the Salt Lake County Council question why the zoo doesn't go after state funding. Dinsmore says the majority of zoo patrons are from Salt Lake County, therefore they are asking for county funding first.

KCPW's Eric Ray speaks with Hogle Zoo Executive Director Craig Dinsmore about the zoo's master plan:

 

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