Budget Shortfall at Minnesota Zoo Means Job Cuts

APPLE VALLEY, Minn. (AP) - Some job cuts are in store at the Minnesota Zoo because of a projected budget shortfall.

Zoo officials say costs are increasing because of a negotiated raise for employees at the state-run facility and rising energy and feed costs.

A decline in attendance this summer hasn't helped. A cold spring and wet June reduced the number of visitors. Reports say attendance is down about 4.5 percent for the fiscal year that began in July.

The zoo has 218 employees represented by three unions. Zoo managers notified the union that layoffs are coming, but they didn't yet say how many.