Editor's note: Well, something is going on at the zoo. News broke about the Dane County Board of Supervisors calling for the firing of the Henry Vilas Zoo director after this story's press time.
Simon and Garfunkel may not have had Henry Vilas Zoo in mind when they sang, “Someone told me it’s all happening at the zoo” on their acclaimed album “Bookends,” but it still seems a reasonably accurate answer to this month’s Good Question. Over the last five years or so, a lot has indeed happened at Henry Vilas Zoo. There are the obvious physical improvements and added events that have kept the zoo a prominent Dane County amenity. But the question also acknowledges the county’s 2019 power struggle with the Henry Vilas Zoological Society over accreditation issues, including control of revenue from the society’s fundraising, concession sales and special events, leading to a separation of the two entities after a 105-year relationship. That was followed last year by allegations from some zoo workers of favoritism, racism and retaliation against union activity — accusations that led to not one, but two formal investigations, the conclusions to both finding no evidence of discrimination. After all that, we’re still left with the original question: “What’s going on at the zoo?”
The answer: Well, nothing.
First things first. In 2005, Madison Magazine’s August cover story highlighted “The New Zoo.” It was an in-depth look at the more-than-a-century-old park that had been gifted to the city by Henry Vilas’ family with the condition that it remain free and open to the public, a requirement that later applied to the zoo that was built on the property. It was the year of the “Zoo Century” fundraising campaign, and the groundbreaking for the Arctic Passage exhibit. Both elevated Henry Vilas Zoo to the status of one of America’s great small zoos.
Today, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi says the zoo is still thriving. It brought in nearly a million dollars in donations last year — a significant show of community support — filling the gap between county funding and the Henry Vilas Zoological Society’s contributions near the controversial end of its relationship with the zoo. If there are any lingering PR repercussions resulting from the contentious divorce from the Zoological Society, they seem negligible. That also appears to be the case with the discrimination allegations. A retired Dane County judge found no evidence of discrimination, and neither did the county’s Office for Equity and Inclusion.
But let’s return our focus to the zoo’s mission — its accessibility, inclusivity and what it offers in terms of entertainment and education. Not only is the zoo one of Dane County’s premier, free urban attractions, it is a key element in the county’s promotion of conservation and global environmental protection. “We see our zoo and animals there as ambassadors to the wild world,” says Parisi. “The zoo [can] educate people about the impacts of climate change, habitat destruction and why it’s so important we work to protect the homes of these animals, not only for their sake but for ours.” Of course, not everyone shares that perspective. For many, zoos are unnecessary at best, cruel at worst. For all concerned about the Vilas Zoo, the No. 1 issue must be the well-being of the animals.
There’s no question about that.
THE LAST FIVE YEARS
January 2018: $1.6 million renovation launch includes new concession area and bathrooms
2019: Power struggle over accreditation issues leads to impasse
March 2019: Zoological society and zoo cut ties
April 2022: Published allegations from zoo workers prompt formal investigations
October 2022: No evidence of discrimination found
March 2023: News broke about the Dane County Board of Supervisors calling for the firing of the Henry Vilas Zoo director
Neil Heinen is a contributing writer and former editor at Madison Magazine.
COPYRIGHT 2023 BY MADISON MAGAZINE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
Neil Heinen is the former editorial director at WISC-TV, as well as Madison Magazine where he is currently a contributing writer. He is a member of the advisory board for the University of Wisconsin School of Journalism and Mass Communications Center for Journalism Ethics. He and his wife Nancy live, work, write, walk and eat in Madison.
Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!
Your notification has been saved.
There was a problem saving your notification.
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
