Cherry Brook Zoo announces permanent closure

The Cherry Brook Zoo in Saint John is shutting down for good after nearly 46 years.

The lack of visitors caused by COVID-19 restrictions, not being able to raise money for the zoo, and a history of financial struggles have put the zoo under "severe financial pressure," Norm McFarlane, the chair of the zoo's board of trustees, said Thursday.

He said the zoo will keep taking care of the nearly 60 animals there until it becomes clear when and where they can move. The animals include a tiger, two lions, a zebra, turtles, snakes, ponies and goats. 

Executive director Martha McDevitt said the uncertainties caused by the pandemic mean the zoo can't have an exact timeline for finding the animals new permanent homes.

"It's terrible timing and, you know, you've got restrictions on your borders provincially and, you know, across the United States as well," she said. "It's not going to happen overnight."

The zoo employs six people, who will stay on site in Rockwood Park until the animals are moved.

She said the zoo wasn't expecting the financial toll of COVID-19, so the situation is "surreal."

"It's heartbreaking," she said.

The most challenging animals to relocate would be the big cats, McDevitt said, as well as the geriatric animals who have lived at the zoo all of their lives.

She said locals can fill out forms and gain custody of the domestic animals at the zoo such as goats and ducks.

She said the zoo is in communication with the government to see if the non-profit can apply for any assistance to keep taking care of the animals until they can be moved.

Saint John councillor Gary Sullivan has been a supporter of the zoo for 12 years. He mentions the zoo in his opening remarks in every council meeting he attends. He says the news of the closure is sad.

"There have been many people over the years who worked very very hard for not a lot of money," he said.

He understand how the prospect of not being able to have people visiting this summer could mean the demise of the zoo.

"When the bulk of the revenue comes in within four months in order to operate for twelve, and for those four months you're shut down ... I was sad but not surprised."

He said the closure leaves him at a loss after years of knowing what he's going to shout out in his opening remarks.

"I don't know what I'm going to do next meeting," he said.

The zoo would have celebrated its 46th anniversary this summer.