Miller Park Zoo opens monkey show superintendent refocuses on position

Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington has opened its new monkey show that expands on its assortment of animals from Africa.

The zoo held a ribbon-reducing ceremony outdoors the DeBrazza monkey show on Friday. The exhibit contains two of the white-bearded monkeys, together with a pair of compact antelopes named crimson-flanked duikers. The animals will also be integrated in new breeding packages at the zoo.

Zoo superintendent Jay Tetzloff reported the new exhibit is portion of the zoo’s grasp program to demonstrate new animals and convey far more people today to the zoo.

“It exhibits off where the zoo is heading with more fashionable exhibits and far more numerous and elaborate exhibits for our visitors to see,” Tetzloff said.

Tetzloff claimed a key part of modernizing the zoo is supplying patrons the chance to get closer to the animals.

“Our new male DeBrazza, he’s been out for a pair of our particular functions and he’s not scared to go up nose-to-nose with some of our company,” he claimed. “It’s just a great opportunity for your attendees to get engaged and interact with our animals.”

The exhibit expense about $600,000. Most of that funding arrived from the point out. The metropolis broke floor on the job final Oct.

Tetzloff initiatives the new show will improve zoo attendance about 5%. He reported attendance is down compared to 2019, but patrons are paying out a lot more. He suspects some zoo enthusiasts have been ready for the monkey show to open up.

Tetzloff mentioned the zoo hopes to crack floor on two additional exhibits by up coming spring, which include a $1 million South American show. That challenge, which arrives from a blend of condition and personal funding, will involve anteaters, Galapagos tortoises and far more. He mentioned design on a new mulefoot hog show and a birthday pavilion are predicted to start off up coming spring. He included a new outside education and learning theater that’s less than design is scheduled to be completed this calendar year. Individuals initiatives are funded by private donations.

New, previous role

Tetzloff reported he can concentration much more on zoo operations now after he not too long ago gave up his job primary the city’s parks, recreation and cultural arts office. He served in both equally roles for 6 decades.

City Supervisor Tim Gleason lately instructed Tetzloff he had to choose one of people employment. Tetzloff pointed out the parks director situation for him was in no way meant to be permanent.

“It was a whole lot to cope with with 4 initiatives at the zoo with the large job at O’Neil Pool and Park is starting to be and having on (management of Grossinger Motors Arena), it seriously was a whole lot,” Tetzloff reported.

Tetzloff claimed he can now much better help with fundraising and community engagement for the zoo.

“I will absolutely have additional palms on at the zoo than I was ahead of,” Tetzloff said. “It will also give me a likelihood to action back and be much more visionary and consider about the learn approach and what is the future of Miller Park Zoo.”

Tetzloff took a $27,000 spend reduce to preserve his career as zoo superintendent, from $122,715 to $95,000.

“Zoos are my enthusiasm. It is where I started. I just couldn’t see myself not doing the job at the zoo,” Tetzloff explained, noting he has been operating at zoos for 34 several years.

The city has named assistant parks and rec director Eric Veal is the interim director. He has been with the city for 21 years. His pay back was improved from $100,285 to $115,000.