K.C. Zoo attendance, finances declining

? The most unruly beast at the Kansas City Zoo these days is the budget.

The zoo is facing a $979,000 budget shortfall as attendance continues to decline in the wake of a slow economy and negative publicity stemming from several animal deaths.

The outlook is so grim that Friends of the Zoo, the nonprofit group that assumed management of the zoo in January, is using an emergency fund, officials told the Kansas City parks board Tuesday.

“This was a learning year for us,” said James E. Stowers III, president of Friends of the Zoo.

Zoo attendance through October was 412,000 — down nearly 200,000 from budget expectations and off 275,000 from the zoo’s peak in 1998.

Fewer visitors meant less money, contributing to a deficit that forced Friends of the Zoo to borrow against a $1.9 million “founders fund” established for such emergencies. The fund, expected to reach $5 million, was part of the agreement when the city turned over management.

Despite this year’s disappointing numbers, Parks Commissioner Tim Kristl praised the Friends of the Zoo for its progressive approach.

“I thought it would take two to four years to get the ship right,” Kristl said.

Plans call for a fall fund-raising event to complement the annual spring Jazzoo, and no pay raises for Friends of the Zoo employees.