The animals are returning to Nay Aug Park!
Mayor Chris Doherty worked out an arrangement with Genesis Wildlife, an exotic animal rescue center in the Poconos. The Zoo’s second coming showcased a Siberian tiger, a cougar, monkeys and birds all within the park’s old zoo facilities. The hope was it would become more a wildlife center than a traditional zoo. They were right.
At first the zoo was running on a trial basis. The city would see what the reaction is and what the costs would be. “One of the things I’ve heard consistently is, ‘When are you going to bring back the animals?’” Mr. Doherty said. “The city does not have the ability to take care of animals, so we’re looking to established groups.”
He decided it would not be feasible for the city at this point to operate its own zoo because it lacks the kind of endowments to run such a facility the way other cities, such as Rochester and Binghamton, have. “The reality is, as a city, you have to know your limitations,” he said.
As a father of young children, Mr. Doherty said he and everyone else were tired of driving long hours and paying pricey fees to visit petting zoos along with other animal exhibits. It was his dream that Scranton could provide something similar but much less expensive.
In the beginning, the city provided the food, which it obtained through corporate sponsorships. Businesses also provided sponsorships for needed equipment like refrigerators, freezers, lights, flooring and windows and there were plenty of volunteers to help with the necessary cleaning.
In the beginning of the zoo being run by Genesis Wildlife there was a nominal admission fee, $2 for children and $4 for adults. The park road that runs through the zoo was also closed off to traffic.
The reason why My Doherty wanted the zoo back was simple. It was for the good of the city. The animals fit into his vision of improving the quality of life for families. People can now make a day trip out of Nay Aug. “The Zoo at Nay Aug brings the park back to life,” Mr. Doherty said. “I’ve said Nay Aug Park is a symbol of the renaissance of this city.”