The principal of Long Island’s largest and most debated zoo has criticized local officials for planning to shut down the sanctuary following years of allegations regarding animal mistreatment.
Kristin Layer, who oversees the Holtsville Ecology Center Zoo, expressed her frustration toward Brookhaven town officials during a recent outburst. She highlighted the issues surrounding taxpayer-funded decisions and the impending closure of the facility.
“The real motivation behind the closure seems to be budget cuts, yet our town leaders—this year, they awarded an over $30,000 raise to Town Supervisor Dan Panico,” Layer stated in a rather pointed Instagram video.
Layer accused the officials of trying to mask the situation from taxpayers to improve their image while, in her view, avoiding accountability for their actions.
Attempts to reach Layer for further comment were unsuccessful.
According to town records, the zoo, which provides free admission, operates at a significant annual loss. Its closure is expected to save the town over $2 million yearly, although the 2026 budget includes a salary increase totaling around $30,000 for elected officials.
In response, Brookhaven defended the pay raises and addressed Layer’s claims of political motives.
“The closure isn’t politically motivated—it’s strictly about budget limitations,” said Drew Scott, a spokesperson for the town. He added that any salary increases are merely adjustments to keep pace with inflation and living costs.
The zoo, established in a former landfill in 1979, has faced long-standing accusations regarding animal abuse.
Past reports indicated that the zoo failed to provide adequate care, resulting in the loss of various animals, including a bald eagle and a mountain lion.
While animal advocates welcomed the announcement of the zoo’s closure, they criticized the town’s proposed relocation plans as “completely unacceptable.” They argue that Brookhaven intends to move about 100 animals to other questionable facilities instead of accepting help from various animal rights groups.
“We could swiftly relocate many of these animals to sanctuaries where they can enjoy healthier, more natural lives under the care of professional veterinarians,” they argued.
However, Scott mentioned that the town is not in talks with advocates like Di Leonardo, instead negotiating with places such as Quogue Wildlife Refuge and Sweetbriar Nature Center for animal relocation.
“The town has been ineffective with animal care for decades,” Di Leonardo stated. “We must ensure the animals are placed in proper sanctuaries to receive the specialized care they deserve, rather than being sent to substandard facilities.”
