Gray wolf exhibit begins Stone Zoo revitalization
Published on July 22nd, 1998
STONEHAM, MA - The Stone Zoo and Stoneham's downtown have similar histories in terms of past glory and recent defeat. Both have spent the past several years in an unsightly haze which, to some, seemed unrepairable.
In recent times, however, plans have been discussed and implemented at both sites which bode well for the future and could serve as a boost to the town's pride and economy.
The Stone Zoo took a large step in the right direction, last week, when it unveiled the Mexican gray wolf exhibit. Plans are also under way for a snow leopard exhibit and an extensive boardwalk which will allow visitors to view the animals in a more natural environment.
"This community has stuck with us through the very thick and the very thin," said Brian Rutledge, Zoo New England president. "I thank you for that."
State Senator Richard Tisei applauded the efforts of Rutledge and his staff and assured that the future of Stone Zoo was promising.
"Today really is the start of the healing process," Tisei said. "This zoo will become rejuvenated. We (legislators) have all been working in the trenches for some time now and we're seeing the effects of those efforts."
The gray wolf exhibit is composed of two female wolves which are contained on approximately one acre of land. The wolves, ages five and six, are the rarest and most endangered subspecies of the gray wolf.
By the early 1970's, the species was driven to the brink of extinction due to an aggressive predator control program. These two wolves, along with approximately 150 others in captivity, have helped save the species and researchers expect their kind to make a strong comeback.
"This is really an exciting project for us for a number of reasons," Rutledge said. "(The Mexican gray wolf exhibit) is very meaningful zoologically. It's the first step in the rebirth of the Stone Zoo."
In addition to the plans detailed previously, the most exciting upcoming project, he said, was the construction and implementation of the world's first Earth park. This, he explained, would incorporate the usual zoological attractions, but, at the same time, would offer museum-like attractions and explanation of the impact that man and animal-kind have and will have on the planet. The park will also allow children to learn about zoology, ecology, geology, anthropology and paleontology.
"This will give children a whole new opportunity to look at the world around them," Rutledge said.
Projects such as this have been made possible by increased funding from the state (expected to total about $6 million this year) and substantial increases in annual attendance.
According to figures from Zoo New England, attendance in Fiscal Year 199 totaled 232,603. In Fiscal Year 1998, that figure rose to 351,977.
Increased attendance means increased revenue for the zoo. In that same time period, revenues nearly doubled, from $778,476 in FY 97 to $1,406,228 in FY 98.
The opening of the gray wolf exhibit and others is expected to raise revenues even more and, eventually, return the Stone Zoo to its former glory.
The man credited for the steady comeback is Rutledge who is described in a biographical press release as one part Crocodile Dundee, one part Indiana Jones and one part McCloud, "a cowboy who has taken on the challenge of saving Boston's two zoos (the other is the Franklin Park Zoo) from extinction."
Prior to his arrival in Massachusetts, Rutledge was credited with saving the Baltimore Zoo, increasing its annual attendance from 180,000 to 500,000 and establishing the number one children's zoo in the country.
He explained that the state, local businesses and residents must continue to support the Stone Zoo in order to assure its survival.
"It's no longer time to ask what your zoo can do for you. It's time to say what can I do for my zoo."
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