Tough times force zoo to lay off elephants (thanks Don_G for link)

[LynneSin]

This is freaking bizarre!!! And you think you're having employment problems: Think of the Elephants!!!

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/news/bizarre/110603_APsn_zoo.html

Tough times force zoo to lay off elephants
By The Associated Press
(11/06/03 - BALTIMORE) — Times are tough at the Baltimore zoo -- Dolly and Anna are getting pink slips. But they're not employees, they're elephants.

Zoo officials say their budget is so tight, 400 animals are getting their walking papers. Twenty humans are being laid off, too.

Zoo keepers expect it will take about six months to find new homes for their elephants. They hope to put the big gals out on breeding loans.

[Don_G]

1. I Want To See Chao, Snow And Greenspan Spin This

If Wal-Mart hires the elephants, they WILL need a cleaning crew!!!

[LynneSin]

2. Maybe the Republicans could hire them

Although i heard they might be outsourcing their Elephant's from India.

:shrug:

[flamingyouth]

3. We'll be laying off the Elephant in Chief next year

[THUNDER HANDS]

4. so that was the really fat guy standing on the corner

with a sign that said "Will Work For Peanuts"

:)

[JitterbugPerfume]

5. hey Elephant !

that your trunk or you just happy to see me (heehee)

[Loonman]

6. I guess you can't even work for peanuts, anymore

n/t

[GoddessOfGuinness]

7. At least their primary concern is the health of the animals...

The National Zoo's been in financial trouble ever since the repiglican takeover. They've had several deaths that weren't due to natural causes, and they don't seem to want to face the reality of the situation.

[northzax]

8. the National Zoo's in trouble

because, like all the Smithsonian, they have watched federal donations decrease steadily for the past 15 years. And they can't charge admission. federal contributions are roughly 15percent lower, in real dollars (not adjusted for inflation) than in 1990.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

9. Exactly...But if they continue to attempt to operate on a large scale

with a skeletal budget, the government is going to scrap the zoo and sell it to the highest bidder.

My first choice would be to increase donations to the zoo immediately.
That's not likely to happen given the current politics. I really think National Zoo needs to scale back as Baltimore is doing, so everyone can afford the educational experience it offers.

Teddy Roosevelt is rolling in his grave...