Lehigh Valley Zoo Asks County for $185K Next Year

The Lehigh Valley Zoo has asked Lehigh County to contribute $185,000 a year to its budget next year, according to zoo documents.

The zoo's request is $60,000 less than the county's annual payment in previous years, according The Morning Call.

"Lehigh Valley Zoo is reducing its dependency of county support," Zoo President Rick Molchany wrote in his April budget report.

"Reducing doesn’t mean that we can survive and thrive without funding. Our community zoo needs the continued public endorsement and financial support from the county of Lehigh," he wrote.

The zoo initially requested $185,000 a year for the next six years, according to zoo documents.

The zoo reduced its request from six years to three years, commensurate with a reduction in the county's contribution of $185,000 in 2014, to $170,000 in 2015 and $155,000 in 2016, according to the Call.

According to zoo documents:

• Zoos in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums are supported by government money, with a mean average of 40 percent of operating revenue. 

• In 2012, Lehigh County's contribution to the zoo was 12 percent of operating revenue— 42 percent less than in 2005 when it was 36 percent of operating revenue.

Lehigh Valley Zoo attendance exceeded 125,000 in fiscal year 2012, including 50,000 children under 12.