Layoffs Expected At Minnesota Zoo

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Future layoffs are expected at the Minnesota Zoo thanks to slumping attendance and rising operating costs.

Zoo officials confirm the layoffs are coming, but the exact time and how many people will be affected is not known.

Expense reductions like trimming the marketing budget and leaving vacant positions open hasn't been enough to prevent layoffs.

Increased costs to employee salaries, animal feed and energy prices are also playing a factor.

Attendance at the zoo was down nearly five percent in all this summer.