Zoo New York’s Animal Wellness Fund
Zoo New York is pleased to partner with the Northern New York Community Foundation to kickstart our Animal Wellness Fund at the Zoo. The Animal Wellness Fund is a new matching fund through the Northern New York Community Foundation, designed to help assist Zoo New York in covering medical expenses, general wellness needs for the animals on Zoo grounds, and any emergency medical procedures the animals may need.
The original idea for the Animal Wellness Fund came to fruition when the Zoo’s Great Gray Owl, Beaker, developed complications with one of his eyes. Beaker was hit by a truck in Alaska before he found his way to Zoo New York. As a result of this accident, Beaker lost one of his wings and had some serious damage done to one of his eyes.
In July of 2020 Beaker’s eye was in serious need of medical attention. Due to financial hardships caused by COVID-19, the Zoo’s staff and members of the community pitched in to ensure that Beaker could have his eye removed to improve and enhance his quality of life. Beaker recovered from the procedure and is now back on Zoo grounds with his feathery friends.