ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Zoo and the Missouri Botanical Garden (MoBOT) announced that they are losing about $900,000 in federal funding, citing the Trump Administration’s cuts. 

Both organizations reported that they received termination notices from the “Institute of Museum and Library Services,” with MoBOT losing over $550,000 and the zoo losing about $400,000.

“It’s really devastating to hear,” said Ellie Corner, St. Louis resident. “These are really big parts of our community.  I grew up going to the zoo and botanical garden my whole life.  I’m a member of the botanical garden.  So it’s really important to support them.  So many people go to them and spend time. It’s really disappointing to hear the budgets are going to be cut.”

Part of that money is also going to support the development of facilities for reproductive and endocrinology research at St. Louis Zoo Wildcare Park. The Missouri Botanical Garden says they are, “Still evaluating the impact the loss of IMLS funding will have on our programs.” 

Because of these funding losses, multiple conservation programs are expected to be postponed. 

The St. Louis Zoo also announced that it planned to use the funds for its research at WildCare Park, a 425-acre safari-like park in north county.

Billy Brennan, director of Public Relations and Governmental Affairs, said that the St. Louis Zoo is figuring out ways to make up for the loss of funding. 

Members of the St. Louis community say they are going to do whatever they can to help out both organizations.

“I think a good repercussion for us is the community get involved,” said Terez Marshall, a St. Louis resident. “Why don’t we do a GoFundMe? Or whatever we can step up. If the government doesn’t want to take the lion’s share, then we as a community have to step up.”