Minnesota Zoo officials present 'mission critical' bonding request to House lawmakers

Legislators are often wary of a skunk in their midst, but the House Capital Investment Committee was absolutely charmed by Leia, a de-scented skunk who visited the Capitol Complex Monday. 

After munching on vegetables, Leia (born on Star Wars Day, May 4) returned to her cage, and her cohorts from the Minnesota Zoo got to business with a $45 million capital funding request.

The request includes $35 million to build a new animal hospital, called a mission critical project by Zoo Director John Frawley. Built in 1975, three years before the zoo opened, the current hospital is woefully out-of-date and in some cases may not comply with federal animal welfare standards, officials say.

The Legislature approved $1.3 million for planning and predesign of the animal hospital in last year’s bonding package.

The hospital would have features found in human hospitals such as ambulance bays, a surgical suite and intensive care unit, but built for the needs of animals large and small.  

There would also be programming space for students, zoo guests and visiting veterinarians. The goal is to benefit animal welfare at the Minnesota Zoo and offer training and education opportunities for other veterinarians.

Frawley anticipates the hospital would have statewide impact, and the funding request has support from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth, and the North American Bear Center in Ely among others.

Frawley pledged to continue to raise money for the hospital from other sources throughout the session. “We know you have a lot of requests,” he said.

Additionally, the zoo seeks $10 million for asset preservation to repair and replace masonry, roofs, roads, pathways, parking lots, bridge decking and safety railings.