BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Buffalo Zoo is in dire financial straits.
It’s detailed in a recent letter from the Buffalo Zoo’s President and CEO Norah Fletchall.
“Right now, we need your help more than ever before. We are trying to cope with $4 million in revenue loss due to the pandemic. Without your support, the Zoo might not be able to overcome the odds this time,” the letter said.
West Seneca grandmother of three Patricia Reid’S been a member of the buffalo zoo for more than a decade. She told 7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ali Touhey that she received this letter last week. Reid was sad but not entirely surprised. Reid said lately visits to the zoo are far different than in year’s past.
“It’s really very sad. It’s disheartening to see. There’s hardly anybody here today.”
“Usually there’s lots of people, and you’re waiting in line for a better view of the animals or for snacks. It was very quiet. We basically had the whole place to ourselves,” added Lisa Heintz.
According to the letter which the Zoo said was sent to a wide swath of past and present supporters and members, the Zoo has high-fixed costs that cannot be negotiated. The letter also said the Zoo cannot overcome this without the community’s support.
“We want to continue being a pillar of the Buffalo community for another 145 years, but we need your support to make our survival a reality” the letter said.
No one from the Zoo was available for an interview on Sunday. But, in a statement a spokesman said “Like every organization attempting to survive during the global pandemic, the loss of self-generated revenue has been financially devastating for the Zoo. We are using our annual year end fundraising appeal to tell that story and like every year, ask our community to support the Zoo.”
