Survival news from New
‘Dire’ situation at Zoo Knoxville overcome; RCF also learns of new animals, attractions
Closing March 16, “It was so dire, in fact, that when we closed we really could only stay solvent beyond a few weeks,” Lisa New, Zoo Knoxville director, said. “We had to take very drastic and immediate expense-cutting measures the minute that we closed.”
The zoo did not re-open until May 18 and lost $22,500 a day until it re-opened, she said.
However, New said donations of $250,000, U.S. Payroll Protection Program funding, the CARES grant and city and county relief helped the zoo stay afloat.
“We closed voluntarily on March 16, right at the beginning of Knox County School’s spring break. There, literally, could be no worse time of the year for us to close,” the director said.
“That is the time of year when we are emerging from a very cash-lean winter, when our guests tend to not come so much … so we’re financially strapped,” she added. “Right at spring break is when warm weather comes, the kids start coming and that kicks off our cash-positive time of the year, so it really was a crisis for us to close.”
In the 63 days they were closed, it had virtual fundraisers instead of live events, and its workers still had to care for the animals and keep them safe
“It was a really difficult choice to close,” New said. “It was prior to any mandate, but we’re an institution of public trust, and we felt acting as a leader in the community was really something we should do.”
Recovery
Though three of its tigers tested positive for COVID, New said they now are doing well.
“No doubt a keeper or someone from the public infected them,” she said. “They were mildly ill.”
The Zoo also enacted a number of safety measures — markers, masks and eliminating high traffic areas among others.
“We were really blessed to open at Stage 1 (on May 18),” she said. “We became a trailblazer for other zoos, sharing with them how (to open).”
New residents, attractions
New said the Zoo has a new male lion, Upepo, and a new female lion is about to arrive, and they will make up a breeding pair. Also, a young giraffe born last year will be leaving for another zoo.
Additionally, new to the Zoo area:
• A North American River Otter area, which will open April 2021.
• An $18 million Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Center, which also will open in spring 2021.
• A lights spectacular fundraiser, “Zoo Lights,” an outdoor event, will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 27, through Jan. 3, featuring colorful animal-shaped lanterns, tree lights and more.
