Erie Zoo: Overview

 Back when I first got interested in learning about zoos (what? 2016?)  and I joined the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), one of my first projects was to create a map showing all of the Association members in North America, and then begin to imagine how I could start visiting them.  After checking off the locals: Smithsonian National Zoo, Maryland Zoo, National Aquarium, Salisbury Zoo, and Philadelphia Zoo--I also considered members that I had visited over the years prior: Zoo Atlanta, Detroit Zoo, Cincinnati Zoo, Louisville Zoo, River Banks Zoo, Audubon Zoo, Dallas Zoo and Monterey Aquarium--none of which I really remember that well; I began to plot out zoo adventures.  I really like smaller zoos not only because they are easier to experience in their entirety, but they have to make more discriminating choices when it comes to the animals they care for.  They also often are located in places where there aren't competing cultural institutions.  

Anyways, a few caught my fancy.  I began following their doings more closely.  One of these was the Erie Zoo.  Since 2016, it has lost its AZA Accreditation.  In the years since I started so has the Salisbury Zoo in Maryland; others like the Columbus Zoo in Ohio and the Pittsburgh Zoo lost and then regained their accreditation.  Both Erie and Salisbury are in the process of regaining theirs.  There are many reasons why a zoo or aquarium loses their status, it isn't always or even often a lack of animal care, though some aspects of the standards that the AZA requires can contribute.  Bottom line for me, AZA is serious about holding members to rigorous, state-of-the-art standards.  

Around the same time, the Erie Zoo launched a capital fundraising campaign called "Wide Open Spaces".  It included an expansive new Giraffe habitat, a new habitat to bring Andean Bears to the Zoo and lots of other upgrades.  The CEO at the time has been replaced.  The New CEO has altered some of the uses of the funds, most notable is the taking the emphasis off of a new Giraffe habitat (that would return Giraffe to the zoo.  In 2019, their remaining male Giraffe was transferred to another zoo in order to begin the transition process--as well as, recognize that the current habitat was below AZA standards and just needed to be replaced).  The new focus is on creating a new animal welfare and veterinary clinic on site.  A priority for meeting AZA standards is also securing a stronger steady stream of funding--which usually involves commitments from stakeholders like the state, the city, community philanthropic organizations, corporate sponsors, etc.  Presently, up to 90% of the zoo's annual budget is met by attendance fees and individual donations.  An unreliable and unsustainable model.  Although the city of Erie covers the zoos utilities and insurance needs.

So you can see that prior to my visit, I have invested a lot of attention and curiosity into the Erie Zoo.

It is a medium/small zoo sitting on just 15 jam packed acres.  That is mid-range sweet for a leisurely paced visit.  On my Impact/Opportunity scale it is a lower-moderate Impact zoo for topography.  Some moderate climbing, but maybe 20% of the total pathways.  It is a moderate opportunity zoo for seeing animals.  There are lots of species to see, and viewing is easy credited to strong habitat design.  On my visit, several of the larger keynote species were not out: Amur Leopard, Amur Tiger, Southern White Rhinoceros for example.  Others like the Lions, African Penguins, and Bornean Orangutans were.  So it's a 50-50, ergo moderate rating.  It was first open to the public in 1930, the same year that it's most iconic building was first built.  Arriving around 2 pm on July 3rd on a perfectly sunny summer day temps in the low 90's, parking was easy--I literally had a spot directly In front of the entrance.  Dozens of folks were there, but it wasn't crowded at all.  A lovely experience.

A couple of images taken by a drone to give you an overview snapshot of the Erie Zoo's campus.

While the zoo's current CEO has reoriented the priorities of the 2019 Master Plan, she has not abandoned them or their goals.  Most notably the return of Giraffe to the zoo, a zoo with a Giraffe featured in its logo!

The major work of the 2019 Master Plan was to replace the existing parking lot with a new and expansive habitat for Giraffe (the light green area left of center).  This would require the reorientation of the entrance, creation of a new Gift Shop and development of satellite parking lots on nearby land currently undeveloped by the zoo.

Here is a closer view.  The orange building on the right edge is the current historical 1930's small animal house.

Another change would be a reorientation of the central plaza with new lesser primate habitats and a sit-down cafe with views of Colobus Monkeys and the creek across to the carousel.  

The plan would transform the current goat yard into a habitat for Andean Spectacled Bears, a new species to the zoo.