CLAY CENTER- In an effort to keep the zoo open, the residents of Clay Center are working to raise $500,000.

They have a gofundme page, have done a bake sale, and a high school class fund raising challenge is underway

Due to the aging facility and tighter regulations, the Clay Center Public Utilities Commission, which has operated the zoo since the 1950s, must make a change, according to their gofundme page.

The choices are to construct a new zoo, or find homes for our current animals and cease its operation.   The PUC can maintain the operational costs of the Zoo, but cannot afford to construct a new Zoo.   The Utility has a “self-imposed” deadline to raise the money by December 31, to move forward with construction.