Woodland Park Zoo is facing a $350,000 funding shortfall for the zoo’s Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program due to the Department of Government Efficiency cuts of the United States Agency for International Development.
At the March 25 Fremont Neighborhood Council meeting, Julian Amrine, a former zoo employee, raised concerns to the meeting attendees about how DOGE’s USAID cuts directly impacted the zoo, more specifically, the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program.
Sarah Valentine, Woodland Park Zoo Chief Development Officer, confirmed that the zoo received a USAID grant, which supported wildlife and habitat conservation work, community training and resources in Papua New Guinea for the TKCP.
“Due to the unexpected and immediate USAID stop work order in February of this year, TKCP faces a critical funding gap of up to $350,000 that jeopardizes the continuation of the vital conservation, reforestation and community livelihood activities that were funded by the grant,” she said.
DOGE, led by Elon Musk, initiated significant cuts to USAID in January, after President Donald Trump published an executive order that froze foreign aid. It also directed the newly formed department to conduct a top-down review of all foreign aid programs, which eventually dismantled USAID.
“Woodland Park Zoo is committed to TKCP and continuing our essential community and conservation work,” Valentine said. “We are working to bridge this unexpected funding gap to protect wildlife like tree kangaroos, preserve habitats, and support communities who have stewarded lands and animals for generations.”
Woodland Park Zoo is encouraging neighbors to help blunt the funding gaps by visiting, joining as a member or donating. “The strength of our conservation efforts has always been our dedicated community,” Valentine added.
The zoo noted that other operations and programs have not yet been impacted by similar federal funding reductions.
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