Holtzville Zoo Set to Close, Animals to be Relocated
Long Island’s largest and most contentious zoo will be shutting down, with all animals to be sent to rescue organizations, as the sanctuary is expected to “decay” by early next year, town officials announced on Monday.
The Holtzville Ecology Center zoo, which is funded by taxpayers and located in Suffolk County, has faced serious allegations of animal abuse. After operating for over 40 years, it is being phased out by Brookhaven town authorities in an effort to cut expenses and redirect funding.
“Operations at Holtzville Reserve will decline,” shared Brookhaven supervisor Dan Panico during a special town meeting on Monday.
“I think society’s views change over time; therefore, the town’s views should evolve too, especially if we aim to effectively manage our local government, which is not the primary role of this town, particularly in light of budget constraints,” Panico added.
While there is no set deadline, town officials aim to close the zoo by the end of March 2026, moving each of the animals to various SPCA-approved rescue facilities.
“This isn’t going to be a mad rush,” Panico reassured, noting that funding for the sanctuary would remain until at least the first quarter of next year.
“We will proceed methodically and with great care to ensure the animals find suitable homes. Our focus will shift towards the essential functions of local governance,” he emphasized.
Originally opened in 1979 on a landfill site, Holtzville Zoo has become one of Long Island’s notable free attractions, drawing families from Suffolk and nearby areas.
The shelter houses about 100 animals, mostly rescued or donated, that wouldn’t survive in the wild. These include various species, from bald eagles and bobcats to buffalo and farm animals.
However, the zoo has faced significant criticism regarding animal treatment, including shocking claims about surgeries performed without anesthesia.
Animal welfare advocates have maintained that the facility lacks the necessary expertise to care for such a diverse range of species.
“This is the only decision that is right for the animals,” stated John Di Leonardo, executive director of Humane Long Island, expressing approval of the planned closure as a win for both animal welfare and taxpayers.
Di Leonardo noted, “We wanted this. Taxpayers should save over $1 million annually. The immediate priority is ensuring these animals aren’t relocated to another problematic facility.”
Yet, some local residents are disheartened by the closure. Jennifer Ramos, who lives nearby, expressed her sadness over the decision, mentioning her frequent visits with her grandchildren. “It’s so sad; they love it here. But if there’s cruelty involved, something has to change. The place should be about caring for animals that need help.”
Ramos hopes the town considers bringing in a capable organization to manage the zoo instead of completely shutting it down.
On the other hand, Panico insists closing the nonprofit sanctuary is the only responsible way forward for the local government.
“The oversight of the highway department has taken on this operation, as is the case with all members of this committee,” he remarked. “We should concentrate on land use, zoning, planning, parks, road maintenance, and waste management—those are the real focuses of our town government.”
