Letter: City should support a first-class zoo

Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007 | 1:15 a.m.

I recently took my 2-year-old son to the Las Vegas Zoo. The zoo has a variety of animals, from lions to turtles. I was thinking it would be great, like the Los Angeles Zoo or the San Diego Zoo. However, I was shocked that this was not the case. It is a small, 3-acre zoo that one would drive past if he were not looking for it.

The exhibits are small and are in need of upgrading, to say the least. The zoo clearly needs monetary support from the city or sponsorship from the Vegas hotels. Take some pride in your zoo.

I was informed that the city does not support the zoo. Why? The city is large enough. Aren't the children of Las Vegas just as important as the children of Los Angeles or San Diego? These cities know the value of providing a zoo to the community.

Las Vegas can't say there is no money to support a zoo - even a nominal amount. Vegas is clearly one of the richest and fastest growing cities in the United States, with millions of dollars coming into the city daily, and yet your zoo for the Vegas children is not supported? Where do your schoolchildren go to see and learn about animals - the casinos? Does everything in Vegas have to be about the gaming industry? At least give back to your community.

It is really an ugly side of Las Vegas and clearly shows what really matters in the city, and it's not the enrichment of your children - children of the people who work and pay taxes.

What message is the city sending to the children of Las Vegas, not to mention the visitors who come to the zoo with children? I'll tell you the message - we don't care. The city officials should be embarrassed by their lack of action to support the zoo. Hopefully, your city officials will take it upon themselves to support and create a Las Vegas Zoo they would be proud to take their own children to.

Erica Passman, Glendale, Calif.