NM BioPark Society raises concerns over proposed budget for the ABQ BioPark
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) –- The non-profit that supports the BioPark is sounding the alarm after saying the city’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025 leaves out key funding for the facility to feed animals and keep its new Asia exhibit open.
“When it was published, we looked at it and said this seems a little light,” said Julie Miller Rugg, Executive Director for the New Mexico BioPark Society. “We’re hoping it was an oversight.”
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The New Mexico BioPark Society, a non-profit that advocates for and supports the ABQ BioPark, sent an email to its members sharing its concerns. The concerns include about $560,000 not included for six additional staffing positions which includes a veterinarian. The group said the facility operates with two veterinarians when most facilities of similar size have four to eight veterinarians. Another concern includes $500,000 in recurring spending for the city’s new Asia exhibit.
“That is just to actually run Asia. That means utilities, staffing, all those kinds of things,” said Miller Rugg. “And that was not included which also seems like it had to be an oversight, because how do you build a new area, open it for a year, and then you don’t have budget?”
The group also said the proposed budget eliminates $200,000 for rising food and medication costs. Miller Rugg said the lack of resources could lead to the facility losing its Association of Zoos and Aquariums, or AZA, accreditation. “If you lose accreditation what ends up happening, if you lose animals you can’t replace them, you can’t work with the other facilities that are accredited to share animals with,” she said.
The city’s Arts and Culture Department couldn’t tell KRQE News 13 if the proposed budget was sufficient to operate the BioPark but did affirm its commitment to the concerns raised.
In an emailed statement, Dr. Shelle Sanchez, Director of the City of Albuquerque Arts and Culture Department said:
We are confident in the current staffing levels at the ABQ BioPark. Over the past six years, this administration has strategically added 27 positions to the BioPark, primarily in animal care, that align with the needs of ongoing GRT expansions and to address previous deficiencies. As an example of our continued investment, we are actively pursuing the addition of another board-certified veterinarian to our staff. We remain committed to meeting the rigorous standards set forth by AZA accreditation while recognizing and managing the rising costs associated with operating a premier biological park. The administration will work to ensure needs at the BioPark are met.
Dr. Shelle Sanchez, Director, CABQ Arts and Culture Department
Still, The New Mexico BioPark Society is calling city councilors and encouraging its members to reach out to their councilors and share their concerns. The group also plans on speaking about the issue at the upcoming city council meeting next week.
“I’m very hopeful it was an oversight. And if it wasn’t, I can’t imagine our city council won’t say, ‘hey we just opened Asia we have to fund that and we’re always going to fund animals with food and medication above all else.’ So, I’m pretty hopeful,” said Miller Rugg.
While the BioPark does get millions of dollars from Gross Tax Receipt funding, The New Mexico BioPark Society said that funding can only be used for construction, repairs, and renovation, and cannot be used for costs like food and staffing.
