SUAMICO, WI (WTAQ) – The NEW Zoo is reducing their summer hours, as a lack of staff is spreading workers a bit thin.
The zoo is typically open daily from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. from June through August. But this summer the Zoo will close at 6:00 p.m.
Zoo Director Neil Anderson says the goal is to match the good quality experience with staffing levels to provide a good, quality zoo experience.
“We’ve had such a severe staffing shortages from concessions to general maintenance and grounds, we really had a difficult time to go ahead and really staff all of things that we would like to,” Anderson told WTAQ News. “Even our carousel and our train, with the staffing levels that we’re at, for us to go until 8:00 p.m.? We weren’t even able to get those out and running.”
The zoo has also hired a janitorial service to cover weekends for cleaning the public restrooms, something it hasn’t had to do in the past. Anderson himself is even pulling double-duty, helping the facility’s one maintenance staff member with mowing the grass.
“Whether it’s a summer seasonal or even full time position, I think we’re seeing this all over. If you drive anywhere, you’ll see ‘now hiring’ signs,” Anderson said.
If you’re so inclined, the NEW Zoo is hiring positions of all kinds.
“Who wouldn’t want to work at the zoo? Be outside, be around the animals, and the whole environment – I think we’ve got a great place to work,” Anderson said. “In the past, it was difficult to get a job in the zoo! Same with across the country. We even have animal care positions open as well.”
But even with the staffing issues and reduced times, there is a hint of optimism when it comes to visitors at the zoo. They’re working to keep up with demand.
“We are having probably the best spring and early summer ever from an attendance standpoint. Comparing 2021 to 2019, we’re up 32,072 people.(as of Wednesday),” Anderson said.
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