(WJET/WFXP)– Time may be running out to save the Erie Zoo, that’s according to a new story published by the Erie Times-News Thursday night.

According to the Erie Times News, the Erie County Convention Center Authority, which owns and operates Erie Events, sent a letter to City of Erie Solicitor Ed Betza and members of city council saying they need a response about their proposal to transfer ownership made in October 2024.


City council discusses ownership transfer of Erie Zoo

That letter called the zoo’s financial future dire and unsustainable and that time is critical to avoid the zoo shutting down. It also said once the process has started, it can’t be stopped and the zoo would be lost forever.

The story also quotes zoo board member and former state senator Jane Earll as saying, “This is real … We are not making idle threats.”

Betza told the Erie Times News he reviewed the letter and is preparing a package proposal for Erie Events and zoo officials that could be presented as soon as next week.

Talks about transferring ownership of the zoo, Glenwood Golf Course, Flo Fabrizio Ice Rink and Glenwood Park from Erie Events, which the Erie Times News reported has no plans of directly managing daily zoo operations, began back in January 2024.


Erie Zoo asks city to transfer 106 acre property to Erie Events

That proposal was reviewed by Erie City Council in June, with council later unanimously passing a resolution to good faith negotiations with Erie Events in early July, but talks have not been without their issues.

The Erie Zoo also lost AZA accreditation in 2021, citing insufficient funding as well as a lack of modern exhibits.

Part of what it would take to get it back includes building a veterinary care facility, which would cost about $10 million, something the zoo board said would require a partner.

It would also require the zoo to have a certain level of trained staff in relation to the care and medical needs of the animals, something Erie Events Executive Director Gus Pine called a struggle for the zoo’s current salary capabilities.


City officials commit to resuming talks on Erie Zoo ownership transfer

“The request right now from Erie Events and the zoo is for the city to transfer 106 acres of property completely at no charge,” Betza told us back on May 6.

Under a land transfer like this, the city has no guarantees in terms of the future use of the property.

Both the city solicitor as well as the mayor’s staff have had meetings with board members of the zoo and Erie Events representatives to work on an agreement.