Zoo asks city to raze bird exhibit

Birds flapping around in a zoo's aviary exhibit, at first glance, seems to make sense. That is unless those birds aren't a part of the actual exhibit.

The board of directors at the New York State Zoo at Thompson Park is asking the city to raze the aging bird exhibit because outside visitors, like sparrows and squirrels, are able to get into the structure with no problem.

Peter W. Schmitt, president of the zoo board, wrote in a letter to the city that the Animal Collections subcommittee is asking that the city consider demolishing and removing the A-framed aviary building this fall.

In the letter, Mr. Schmitt said the building has “fallen on hard times.”

“It has structural issues related to its metal screening and it has operating issues related to the pond,” he added.

The council will consider obliging the zoo's request at a work session that begins at 7 p.m. tonight in City Hall, 245 Washington St. The birds, at least the ones the zoo wants in the exhibit, will be housed in a safe place until a new home can be found once the exhibit is razed.

The aviary building was completed in August 1979 and now is home to the zoo’s crows and a pair of owls.