Some monkeys, lions, and snow leopards need financial help. A new group of community leaders, called the Niabi Zoo Oversight Committee, will try to improve operations at the zoo in Coal Valley.
Member Joe Taylor, says the Rock Island County Forest Preserve District formed the committee last month. Its members will help create a public-private partnership to operate the zoo in Coal Valley.
Taylor says after a couple of studies, the consensus is Niabi Zoo can raise more money if Rock Island County continues to own it, but with a private group overseeing daily operations.
The Niabi Zoo Oversight Committee meets two times a month. It includes Taylor, President of the Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau, along with the interim zoo director, the Forest Preserve District Director, the retired director of a local credit union, and an attorney.
Taylor says the Niabi Zoo Oversight Committee hopes to hire a new zoo director by the spring. And will create a marketing plan for the zoo's opening, on April 11th.