Zoo considers closing

KENT COUNTY, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Cuts at the county level are forcing changes at the John Ball Zoo.

With revenue dropping, Kent County commissioners had to trim spending in just about every department.

For the zoo it means $778,000 less in its 2010 operating budget.

To make up the difference John Ball Zoo is considering shutting down for a few months.

"It's this challenge of when is the right time to stay open and when is the right time to close. And for the first time in the zoo's history, we've really contemplated what months are the right months to stay open and/or not," said Bert Vescolani with the zoo.

Right now it looks like the right months will fall in the winter when attendance traditionally drops.

The zoo is also looking at ways to boost revenue while it's still open, either adding educational programs or bumping up prices at the gate.