Key Takeaways:
– San Antonio City is dedicating $500,000 to planting trees for a new gorilla exhibit at the zoo.
– The funds are from the city’s Tree Canopy Preservation and Mitigation Fund, generally used for replacing removed trees.
– The decision faces criticism as some argue it violates the fund’s initial purpose.
– The new gorilla exhibit is part of a larger $65 million zoo renovation.
The city of San Antonio has approved an expenditure of $500,000 to plant trees that will serve as a respite for gorillas in the city zoo. This sum will be channeled from the city’s Tree Canopy Preservation and Mitigation Fund.
Investing in Animal Wellbeing and Guest Comfort
This move, the city and the San Antonio Zoo claim, is geared towards promoting the wellbeing of the animals and improving the comfort of visitors. By adding more greenery within the zoo, the city hopes to enhance its outlook, adding an appealing aesthetic value.
The revenue for the Tree Canopy Preservation and Mitigation Fund primarily comes from fines imposed on urban developers who eliminate trees during construction. These fees can go up to $600 per inch of the tree trunk diameter. Under normal circumstances, these funds are used to replant trees in the areas where they were initially cut down during development projects.
Drawbacks from Misuse of Funds
Due to this expenditure’s nature, some critics argue it breaches the rules originally set for the fund. San Antonio Trees, a nonprofit, is among the critics of this decision. The organization, which advocated for the fund’s initiation back in 1996, told reporters that the current use of the fund goes against its founding intent.
Upon collecting a whopping $9 million last year, the fund was utilized to plant 12,600 trees, creating a green avenue in neighborhoods stripped off their natural greenery due to development.
Upcoming Gorilla Exhibit
The new trees are earmarked for a two-acre gorilla exhibit, part of a much larger project that entails a $65 million renovation of the zoo. This renovation is funded by both private and public money, with the San Antonio Zoological Society already securing a $10 million bond from the city. Another portion, $10 million, will come from redirected property taxes.
This monumental project began with a new $13 million entrance revealed last month along with a massive gorilla topiary and an influx of model butterflies clouding over the visitors’ walkway. The gorilla exhibit, which includes a 60-foot tower for an entirely immersive viewing experience, is set to open in late 2025.
Public funds have primarily been used to propel the renovations at the zoo. However, the decision to use $500,000 from the tree fund, ostensibly collected for a different purpose, faces backlash. Critics say that catering to the gorillas is a commendable act but maintain that the use of these specific funds may not be justifiable. Despite these criticisms, the city’s plan to invest in animals’ care and visitor comfort continues unabated. Advocates for the plan hope that once it’s completed, it’ll significantly enhance the zoo’s profile, making it a highly attractive recreation spot in San Antonio.