Two hours after receiving an initial alert about impending furloughs at Brookfield Zoo, Keriann Ballanco received an official notice that her nearly two-year stint working with orangutans, gibbons, otters and pangolins was over until further notice.
Nearly a third of Brookfield Zoo employees were placed on furlough, effective April 4, according to the zoo, and Ballanco, a primate keeper, says she was one of them. Every department was affected.
“I’m mostly upset that I didn’t get to say goodbye to the animals that I work with,” said Ballanco, a primate keeper who was off the day she received the notice. “I have such a relationship and a bond with them. It’s so sudden.”
Brookfield Zoo closed March 19 because of COVID-19 and has had practically no earned revenue since, according to a news release from the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages the zoo. Brookfield Zoo is keeping on “essential staff,” like people who maintain the health and welfare of the animals, people who take care of the buildings and grounds, and “other critical support functions.”
“This is a very challenging and difficult situation and the Society hopes it will be resolved soon,” according to a news release. “However, CZS had to respond quickly to the tremendous unanticipated financial pressures it is facing in order to ensure the zoo’s future sustainability.”
To assist with its financial difficulties, the zoological society applied for loans through the federal stimulus bill and moved its largest fundraising event of the year, The Whirl, to a virtual format. The zoo is also asking zoo members to renew now and asking those considering a membership to join as soon as possible.
“We very much regret the need to take this action,” the email said. “Given the sudden impact this pandemic has had on our organization, it is the only prudent and responsible decision given our responsibility as stewards of the organization to protect and ensure its future sustainability.”
The duration of the furlough is unknown. Those affected are still considered employees but are temporarily in an unpaid status, according to an email sent to employees.
“Current plans are to re-open the Zoo as soon as feasible, but this is dependent on the progress made in reducing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the lifting of mandated state and local business closures, and CZS finances,” the email said.
Furloughed workers can use accrued vacation and personal time until it’s exhausted and also have the option of reserving one week of vacation time if they choose, the email said. Once the personal or vacation time is used up, employees will no longer be paid and the zoological society will no longer make contributions to benefits. Employees can then apply for unemployment benefits.
Like many of her co-workers, Ballanco was worried about furloughs when the zoo first closed, but she was told animal keeper staff were considered essential. She thought that union workers, including maintenance, grounds and custodial workers and animal keepers, would stay on because machinery would still need upkeep and animals would still need care.
But more than half of the people furloughed were union workers belonging to Teamsters Local 727, Ballanco said. Four people on the primate keeper team, including Ballanco, were subject to the temporary layoff; the team is now down from 15 to 11 keepers.
“Everyone cares about the animals and they will be doing their best, but the little things that help contribute to animal care will be cut and the level of enrichment they receive will be cut,” Ballanco said.
The exhibits won’t be cleaned as much, which means the animals won’t be able to go into them every day, Ballanco said. Animal training will be the most affected. While it’s not an issue short term, it’s crucial to veterinary care because it allows people to get close to the animals — lack of training could mean consequences down the line, she said.
She’s also frustrated that Chicago Zoological Society President and CEO Stuart Strahl, who is expected to retire soon, did not offer up the last year of his salary to help supplement the zoo’s financials. CZS spokesperson Sondra Katzen said all members of the executive team have offered to take reductions in their salaries.
“I’ve loved working at Brookfield Zoo, it’s the best zoo I’ve ever worked at so far,” Ballanco said, adding that her previous jobs didn’t pay as well. “I felt well-taken care of here but I’m disappointed in how they are handling everything. I knew cuts had to happen, we’re not taking in any money, but I felt like it could’ve been handled differently.”
For now, Ballanco hopes to find some temporary work and is looking at driving for Instacart.
