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Rhinos, tigers, bears and hippos. Those are just a few of the animal species you will no longer see at the Sacramento Zoo at William Land Park. Why?
Well, according to zoo director Jason Jacobs, some of the structures in the zoo are too old, and there isn't enough space.
"Our philosophy is, if you cant keep animals how they should be kept, then you shouldn't have them," said Jacobs. "[There are] animals living in structures almost 60 years old. We're working very hard to find homes for some of those animals."
Jacobs added that if the zoo continues to operate without making any renovations, it could lose its accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in the next five to 10 years.
"There are a couple of reasons why renovation isn't the best [idea]," Jacobs said. Jacobs said he believes creating a new zoo at a different site is the best option.
Jacobs estimated that a renovation would cost about $128 million.
"Where are you better off putting that investment?" Jacobs said. "We can build a zoo that is larger than this zoo on opening day."
Jacobs believes the latter option would also present space to grow and an opportunity to save more animal species.
"[We can] create a destination for Sacramento," Jacobs said. "Better homes for these animals."
There aren't any official plans, or even ideas, for where the new zoo would be and funding hasn't been secured yet. Still, Jacobs said he believes this is what Sacramento needs.
"If we were given the opportunity, I know we can do a lot more for conservation," said Jacobs. "A better zoo means a better Sacramento."
The zoo turns 100 years old in 2027. Jacobs said opening the new zoo on its centennial birthday would be a dream.
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