Discussion of zoo dominates hearing on proposed Brookhaven Town budget

Supporters and opponents of closing the Holtsville zoo made their final arguments Thursday night during a Brookhaven Town board meeting before officials decide the facility's fate later this month.

Hundreds packed the Town Hall auditorium in Farmingville for a public hearing on the proposed 2026 town budget, which calls for shuttering the preserve and relocating about 130 animals to sanctuaries. Closing the zoo will save taxpayers about $2 million annually, Supervisor Dan Panico has said.

The town board will vote on the budget, including whether to close the zoo, at its Nov. 20 meeting, Panico said.

Discussion of the zoo dominated the 2½-hourlong public hearing, with most of the 35 speakers imploring Brookhaven officials to keep the zoo open.

Supporters, including parents, Scout leaders, and current and former zoo workers, recalled past visits to the zoo and said it should be preserved for future generations.

"This place is stitched into my story," said Jenny Intravia, 48, of Patchogue, a former zoo tour guide who said she took her first steps there. "The real question is not, can we afford to save the zoo? It's, can we afford to lose it?"

Zoo opponents, including animal welfare activists and some past employees, said animals at the facility had suffered from infections, dirty enclosures and other problems.

"You are doing the right thing by making sure [the animals] are all taken care of," said Meredith Tinsley, 55, of Bellport, a former zoo public safety officer.

Newsday reported last year that whistleblowers, including some former zoo employees, documented what they said was abuse and neglect at the facility. Panico and other town officials denied the allegations.

Panico announced in September that the town would close the zoo as a cost-saving measure. The plan has faced no opposition from town council members.

The zoo is part of the town's Holtsville Ecology Site, which opened in the 1970s at a former town landfill. The ecology site, which also includes public swimming pools and playgrounds, will remain open even if the zoo closes, officials have said.

In a written statement, Panico said Thursday the town "needs to concentrate on the core functions of town government."

"The '70s were a different time and the idea of bringing animals [to the ecology site] ... may have been feasible then. It is no longer," Panico wrote.   

The zoo's fate will be sealed if the town board approves Panico's $367.2 million town budget for next year. The budget would raise taxes for the average homeowner by 1.43%, town officials have said.

Town officials are in talks with animal sanctuaries as they try to find new homes for more than 100 animals, including barnyard animals, birds of prey and exotic species such as emus, buffalo and bears.

Before Thursday's meeting, a small group of animal welfare activists stood outside Town Hall chanting, "There's no excuse for animal abuse."

One demonstrator wearing a bear suit held a sign saying, "Thank you Brookhaven for sending my friends to sanctuary!"

By Carl MacGowan

carl.macgowan@newsday.comCarlMacGowan

Carl MacGowan is a Long Island native who covers Brookhaven Town after having previously covered Smithtown, Suffolk County courts and numerous spot news and feature stories over his 20-plus year career at Newsday.