Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 7, 1990 TAG: 9004090244
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Our zoo has grown into a unique collection of animals from North and South America, Australia and Asia. We are now in the midst of an ambitious fund drive to build a new habitat for our Siberian tiger Ruby, and have also agreed to participate in the international breeding program of Siberian tigers.
The Blue Ridge Zoological Society of Virginia operates Mill Mountain Zoo. Our mission is to promote an appreciation of endangered wildlife and provide educational programs for both young and old. Through these programs we can foster an understanding of animal and environmental conservation.
Your article also quoted city officials as stating that "chances of finding a developer would increase substantially if the Mill Mountain Zoo is closed after the proposed Explore Park opens." The board of directors have no plans to close the Mill Mountain Zoo. A group of local citizens has agreed to invest several thousand dollars to help the zoo reach its present goal of accreditation by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums. This phase of our growth is to begin by June 1.
We are developing a 10-year master plan that will reflect the mountainous areas of Korea and Kenya. We plan to work closely with our sister cities Wonju and Kisumu by highlighting those animals that are rare and/or endangered in those areas.
We hope that the firm of Rhodeside and Harwell is not being hired by the city to design a master plan that does not include the zoo. The desire of the late J.B. Fishburn was to preserve the mountaintop as a park for recreational use by the people of the Roanoke Valley. The zoo will continue to honor his wish as it has for the last 38 years.\ RITA LOEB\ President Blue Ridge Zoological Society of Virginia\ ROANOKE
by CNB