Parks Superintendent Bart Kraning announced to the members of the City of Frankfort Board of Works on Monday, March 9, 2020, he had stopped the breeding and selling of animals at the City zoo effective immediately.
“This past week I’ve just been learning and listening a lot,” said Parks Superintendent Kraning. “One of the things we are going to do is we’re going to halt the breeding of animals at our zoo. So, we are not going to breed and sell anymore. When animals have babies, of course, we are going to welcome them to the zoo and they will be a welcomed addition.”
“But, we won’t be in the business of trading animals for other animals. So, that is something effective immediately.”
After the close of the Board of Works meeting, Parks Superintendent Kraning spoke with Clinton County Today about his first week on the job, what led up to his decision to halt the breeding and selling of animals, and what interaction has he had with Parks Consultant Travis Sheets.
CCT: What led you to make the decision to stop the breeding for sell program?
Kraning: They ordered a few sets of animals last year in pairs that were purposefully mates, which is fine. I am not against that at all.
But, I heard that someone had traded animals last year, a baby particularly, for another exotic animal which doesn’t line up with my values.
And, to be honest, we do not have the capabilities there to be always keeping babies. When babies arrive, great you know. We will take care of them. To purposefully have animals just together locked up to hope that one of them gets pregnant, I don’t really support.
I don’t think there was major evidence of that. But, just what I saw I said I’ve already decided that we are not going to do that even if it wasn’t necessarily the case.
CCT: So some of these animals had been breed to be exchanged for some other?
Kraning: I don’t think they were breed to do that. I just think they were purchased for that reason. I don’t think any of them have went through the process.
CCT: To go through the breeding process?
Kraning: Right.
I just think maybe that was just the direction they were heading, which is not the direction I want to be going in.
CCT: Do you see any issues with the sustainability of the zoo without having a breeding program?
No. Because right now I think we are at capacity for what our zoo can handle. So my main focus is going to be – so when we do have babies make sure they have the proper enclosures, we have toys, we have things for them to do. My main focus is going to be that.
If we do have babies, great. We can keep them. But, as of right now if we were to say we get there tomorrow and four babies are new, we are going to be tough to house them.
So, I just want to make sure before we encourage having more animals then we need to really get a handle on our enclosures, on our toys, on the things these animals need to do. They are healthier that way. They enjoy life better.
I don’t think there was anything particular – I don’t think they had purchased animals and were like stay in this cage forever until.
Because our zookeeper, she would have put the stop to that.
I just wanted to get in front of it just in case that was (the case).
CCT: Does this go for the aviary aspect of it as well? We wouldn’t see any breeding going on in the aviary as well?
Kraning: Unless it happens naturally. We’re not ever taking a step to make sure they are not having babies. I would even go so far as saying if we can get animals that can breed and we don’t have the means to take care of the babies, then we would get them spayed or neutered because it is healthier for them. Gives them a better temperament a lot of the times and I don’t want any unnecessary deaths at the zoo. Which happens when you are having babies.
CCT: Have you talked to Travis since you started last Monday (March 2, 2020)?
Kraning: I have talked to him about a few different things. He has given me a little bit of just background on what was going on in the parks. Ways they were, processes they were doing and that’s pretty much it.
I think I have talked to him 3 times.
CCT: And was any of the decisions about breeding, did you talk to him about that?
Kraning: There wasn’t any reason to because to be quiet honest I’m the Superintendent now. I didn’t have any reason to bring that up with him. Partially because I think maybe I didn’t want to know what they were doing because I don’t see any evidence of it. So, I am glad that I don’t. I am happy right now saying I am the Parks Superintendent and this is how we are going to move forward.
CCT: Has there been any conversation with you in regards to the role of the Parks Consultant and the Parks Superintendent?
Kraning: No. There has not been.
CCT: In terms of expectations. Did previous Mayor McBarnes say to you, Travis is here, he is going to be available for fill in the blank?
Kraning: The only thing I know about is what I have talked to Travis personally about.
And that so far that he will be here on the 20th and he is going to help us with Prairie Creek with all of the planting and things like that. That’s all.
CCT: He flies in on the 20th of March?
Kraning: I think he flies in that day and then the next couple weeks I believe he will be there. So, we are going to have all hands on deck trying to get Prairie Creek ready to go.
CCT: The grand reveal or grand opening is May 16th?
Kraning: Mmm-hmm. I don’t see a problem with that timeline at all. I think things are moving along great.
