Barry Bitzer, Director of Development for the BioPark, said the reason as to why the penguins have yet to make progress in New Mexico is funding. The type of penguin the zoo is trying to get has many needs.
“This is an $8 million project,” Bitzer said. “Because we’re talking Antarctic penguins, that means chiller systems and backup chiller systems.”
Another issue with penguins, Bitzer said, is that you can’t let them outside without some sort of bird and mosquito deterrent to ensure they aren’t going to catch illnesses not native to their natural environment.
Getting new animals of any kind requires money and space. It takes quite a bit of effort to raise the money and get the assistance the Zoo and Aquarium needs, he said. They have some programs at the zoo that raise money, as well.
“You put 50 cents in the duck feeder machine — we raise $30,000 a year doing that,” Bitzer said. “The wish and spin, throw a quarter in there and watch it spin into the container — its $30,000 a year from that, too.”
The city also has a say in whether the BioPark and Aquarium should get more money for new animals.
“We sort of leap frogged the otters last year by getting a $2 million question on the bond ballet for the county,” said Bitzer. “Voters approved two million for the otter project at the Aquarium.”
Brad Winter, the Albuquerque city councilor for the zoo’s district, said he enjoys the BioPark and its surroundings.
“Of course I support anything,” Winter said. “I love the BioPark, and you know Tingley is part of that group, too, so I usually support whatever they do.”
Winter can be found down at Tingley Beach at the catch-and-release pond at least once a week, he said.
Winter added that the council tries to help fund the zoo when it can.
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“The city council does get involved,” he said. “Money to build new enclosures, or the operation costs ... one of the duties of the city council is to approve a budget.”
Most animals in Albuquerque’s zoo were born in the zoo. They may stay if there is room and need for them, or they may be sent to another zoo that needs them. However, changes to overall exhibits are rare.
“Before the otter project, the Aquarium had not seen any major additions to its exhibit portfolio since it was built in 1996,” said Bitzer. “The BioPark operates on about $14 million per year. Some costs are not facility-specific, so a breakout for the zoo is tougher to calculate.”
Bitzer warned not to expect penguins to arrive soon, but that the zoo hasn’t stopped working on bringing them in.
Taylor Mallak is a student in the Communication and Journalism Department. This story was written for the Daily Lobo through a partnership with the New Mexico News Port.
