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Zoo News: Staff concentrates on cleanup
Todd is in National Geographic
zoo slt boo-group

With the announcement that it will no longer pursue AZA accreditation for the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo, the city has opted not to replace its zoo director or curator. However, City Administrator Howard Partington said the city remains committed to having a quality zoo, with or without the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Fewer than 10 percent of the approximately 2,800 animal exhibitors licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture are AZA accredited, according to the association.
At a recent Kiwanis Club meeting, Partington affirmed that the zoo is one of the city’s most beloved features, and said continued improvements are still in the works. However, he indicated the zoo would need to triple its staff to do everything AZA inspectors want.
Last Monday, Partington told the Great Bend City Council that zoo and park division employees have been working hard to improve the maintenance at the zoo. Many loads of brush and limbs have been removed.
“The zoo is the cleanest that it has been in many years,” Partington said. “A big thank you to all involved, including the volunteers that have been helping us out.”
He also noted that a USDA inspection team will be here this month to inspect the zoo. Zookeeper Sara Hamlin has been working with other staff members to get things in order for the inspection.

Todd featured in National Geographic
Last March, National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore photographed Todd, the zoo’s male arctic fox, for a future article on the effects of climate change on various species. Sartore’s photos and a story by Jennifer Holland appear in the November issue of the magazine.
The photos can be view online at http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2015/11/climate-change/which-species-will-thrive-text .
According to the text, the melting of tundra habitat in the future could create problems for Todd’s cousins in the wild.

Zoo Boo fun
City employees, civic groups and local businesses helped with the annual Zoo Boo on Oct. 24. Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes estimated more than 3,000 people attended. The photo accompanying this story was submitted by the City’s Public Works Department. Superintendent Mike Crawford said, “We look forward to Zoo Boo each year and are already thinking about next year. A lot of work and a lot of fun goes into setting up and being there for Zoo Boo.”