El Paso Zoological Society supporters speak out after City Council did not renew contract

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso Zoological Society supporters will speak in support of the non-profit organization during City Council’s meeting Tuesday as its agreement with the city is set to expire.

This comes after the City voted to not renew the licensing agreement. The current license agreement is set to expire on March 17, 2024.

ABC-7 is working to learn more about why City Council voted to let the agreement expire.

Before the El Paso Zoological Society was notified that the city would not renew the licensing agreement, the society was the one responsible for administering the zoo membership program.

The Zoo Society has been asked to vacate the El Paso Zoo facilities as a result of a new licensing agreement not being signed.

Pam Agullo, board president for the Zoological Society, says the city has not shown willingness to engage in a constructive dialog for a new agreement.

According to Agullo, the society has raised over $10 million in the last seven years for the El Paso Zoo which has gone to the volunteer program, educational programs, and to provide care at the animals at the zoo.

“There is no municipal zoo in the nation that operates without a nonprofit support entity. Why? Because the city cannot overtake the financial burden that operating a zoo represents," said Agullo regarding the city operating without them.

Laura Cruz-Acosta, a spokesperson for the City of El Paso, says the decision to not renew the licensing agreement is a direction from council members to look for ways to improve the services that the city provides for the community.

“The city council has provided support for the zoo, the zoo for many years. And as I mentioned to you, about 70% of the funds for the zoo is paid for through city operational funds that the council members have approved every year, and about 30% have been provided through ticket sales," said Cruz-Acosta when asked how the city would make up for the funding the Zoological Society says they provide.