BROOKFIELD ZOO FURLOUGHS ONE-THIRD OF ITS WORKFORCE

The Brookfield Zoo on Saturday furloughed a third of its workforce, citing “unanticipated and urgent financial pressures” in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

The move affects workers in every department at the zoo, said Sondra Katzen, spokeswoman for the Chicago Zoological Society, a nonprofit that manages the zoo.

“The layoffs included staff who are not considered critically essential to support the minimum operations of the organization, while keeping staff employed who ensure the health and welfare of the zoo’s animal population, maintenance and protection of the buildings and grounds, and other critical support system and functions,” said Katzen.

Brookfield Zoo now has “practically no earned revenue stream available” since closing March 19, according to Katzen, who said furloughed staff members will continue to receive medical benefits and can file for unemployment.

Keriann Ballanco, a keeper in the zoo’s primate department, said she and her husband are both applying for unemployment benefits. He was furloughed from his job as a manager at a downtown restaurant and is looking for work to help cover their rent and student loans.

“It’s definitely been really hard,” said Ballanco. “Once my husband lost his job, I figured we would at least have my income for the foreseeable future, because I figured I was an essential employee.”

Ballanco’s husband had lined up a job at a restaurant on a military base in South Korea prior to the outbreak in the United States, but it’s uncertain when they’ll make the move.

“My career is my passion, and it’s hard knowing I’ll likely never work with those animals again,” she said.

While it’s unclear how long the furlough will last, Katzen said the zoological society “hopes it will be resolved soon.” Katzen said that executives have all offered to take pay cuts as they chart a path forward.

The zoological society is applying for loans, accepting online donations and asking current zoo members to renew their membership to “help alleviate some of the financial pressures.