Layoffs Coming At The Minnesota Zoo

APPLE VALLEY, Minn. (AP) — Slumping attendance and rising costs are leading to layoffs at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley.

Zoo spokewoman Beth Burns tells the Star Tribune the number of employees who will be affected hasn't been determined, but plans are expected to be finalized next month.

Burns says spending cuts such as reductions in the marketing budget and leaving vacant positions open haven't been enough to offset rising costs for salaries, animal feed and energy.

The lifting of a salary freeze resulted in about $1 million in additional expenses. Personnel costs make up 70 percent of the zoo's $25 million budget.

Burns says another factor is that summer attendance was down 4.5 percent, though the zoo still expects more than 1 million visitors this year.