Zoo in Garden City Addressing USDA Issue

(Information in the following story is from: The Garden City (Kan.) Telegram, http://www.gctelegram.com)

GARDEN CITY, Kan. (AP) – Federal regulators have given Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City a year to fix a problem with open and unattended gates.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which regulates zoos, says the zoo has to find a way to have the gates attended at all times when the zoo is open, or to have them be self-closing.

Zoo director Kathy Sexson said Wednesday the primary concern is animals escaping, or people or animals getting into the zoo and causing problems.

The Garden City Telegram reports the zoo hasn’t budgeted for the proposed changes, which could cost several thousand dollars. Sexson said the zoo will seek grants or other funding to offset the cost, and also might adjust other projects already budgeted.