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Relocation of Big Bear Zoo Moving Forward

Today, the Board of Supervisors approved the adoption of the Mitigated Negative Declaration as part of the process for the relocation of the Big Bear Zoo.  This was the final step required in the environmental review of the proposed relocation which allows the Special Districts Department to proceed with development of the relocation site.

The Big Bear Zoo, the only one of its kind in California and only one of two in the nation, offers a safe haven for injured, orphaned and imprinted wild animals. The current facility is not conducive to fulfilling its mission of enhancing human understanding and respect for the value of our ecosystem.

The relocation of the Zoo will improve the facility’s image and visibility; upgrade the animal care facilities; and provide an educational and entertaining environment for visitors. The new site will provide a larger space covering approximately 5 acres, improve the health of the animals, and increase the rehabilitation capacity. Relocating the Zoo also achieves the goal of operating in a fiscally-responsible and business-like manner by moving to a property that is currently owned by Special Districts, thereby eliminating lease costs on the current site.

Having completed the final step in the environmental review process, Supervisor Ramos looks forward to moving forward with the development of the new location. “I would like to thank my colleagues for their support of this project. Relocating the Big Bear Zoo will create a more dynamic and visitor-friendly park for residents throughout the county, the region, and the nation to enjoy while also providing a larger and improved space to nurture the injured animals who come to call it home.”

For more information on this item, please see item number sixty on today’s agenda which can be found at http://cob-sire.sbcounty.gov/sirepub/pubmtgframe.aspx?meetid=2458&doctype=AGENDA.

Contributed Content, Molly Wiltshire, Communications Director for Supervisor James Ramos

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