Maggie Generoso, current President of the Louisiana Purchase Zoological Society, recently sat down for an interview with me. When she's not volunteering to assist in making improvements at the zoo, she is a teacher with the Monroe City Schools. A social media post in March 2020 that showed the zoo’s struggling state of condition is what ignited Maggie's passion for the zoo even further. She took initiative and set up a Facebook page to show others how to donate time, funds, and resources. Read along to see how you too can get involved. I look forward to volunteering with my family on a Saturday.
What are the hours of the zoo currently?
- The zoo is open Monday-Sunday from 10 AM - 5 PM. Note, the keepers begin housing the animals an hour before closing.
What are ways the community can help the zoo?
- Follow “@Quit LION Around... The Monroe Zoo Needs YOU!” on Facebook. This page includes the latest information about fundraisers, volunteer work days, access to the Amazon wish list and so much more.
- Purchase something off our Amazon wish list. Items range from snacks for the animals to new adult bicycles for the zookeepers. You can also purchase a gift card and we’ll shop for you.
- Buy a yearly membership. We have extended our Membership Drive for the month of August. Family memberships may be purchased at a discounted price of $60 (regularly $75) … and there are also discounts on individual, senior citizen, grandparents, and student memberships.
- Come see us & bring a friend! Changes are happening all the time at the zoo. If something does not meet your expectations, please contact Maggie Generoso or an employee of the zoo. We will do our best to correct the problem.
- Share your positive experiences on social media.
- Adopt a Spot! Flowerbeds and spots are available all throughout the zoo. Make a commitment to keep that area looking amazing.
- Volunteer your time or resources. Are you a painter, electrician, handyman, carpenter? Give an hour, an afternoon... any time. We need YOU!
- A community volunteer/work day is scheduled for Saturday, August 29th at 10AM.
What are some updates that were done in the last 6 months?
- Brand new wagons & push cars for rental, all of which were sponsored by local families and businesses. We’ve got new wheelchairs too... free of charge! They are available at the ticket counter.
- Birdbaths and fountain pumps have also been added.
- The “Heart of the Zoo,” also known as the area around the splash pad and playground has received some new equipment, a brand new sensory path, and a Free Little Library stocked with books.
- New “face in hole” pictures and paintings throughout the zoo.
- Lots of power washing & painting has taken place too.
- Demolition has begun on the current gibbon structure (that can be seen by boat) and began building a habitat for our beaver, Paddy.
- The animals & keepers have been blessed with SO MANY new toys, treats, and enrichment activities purchased from our Amazon wish list! We’ve had close to $10,000 in items purchased from our wish list!
- New outdoor ceiling fans have been donated to replace the 40-year old fans in the pavilion.
- Our Louisiana Purchase walkway received a facelift with the help of a donation of the gravel and volunteers spreading the gravel. Families with strollers will have a much easier time throughout that area now.
- Countless volunteers have removed weeds in the stunning flower beds and maintained the lawns.
- Lots of the exhibits have gotten facelifts! You’ve got to check out the Reptile Building when it reopens. Reptile zookeeper, Shiv, has done a phenomenal job with their exhibits.
- A special Train Brick drive was held in the month of June. Those bricks are being placed outside of the Train Depot. Want to purchase a brick? Call the Wild Side Gift Shop for more information (318-329-2400).
- New ceiling has been installed in the reptile house and we are working with a private donor to replace lighting, sound system and doors on the reptile building as well.
What else are you working on in 2020?
- With a new mayor & a city councilwoman for District 5, we have SO many exciting things planned! Kema Dawson has made the zoo her priority since being elected and we’ve hit the ground running. The current primate building has been condemned and will FINALLY be knocked down soon. Yay! We are working on BRAND NEW animal signs for each animal exhibit. Kathryn McCarty is doing a fantastic job on creating one-of-a-kind signs. They are beautiful! Several upcoming workdays will be scheduled where we will tackle large projects- finishing the gibbon structure, cleaning out/hauling off items, painting and repairing large areas to name a few. The Splash Pad should be getting a facelift too. More playground equipment and a communication board are coming to the Heart of the Zoo. We’re also hoping to tackle replacing a portion of the decking throughout the zoo. I think there will be some amazing changes to our Louisiana Purchase exhibit too. You’re just going to have to see for yourself!
Does the zoo have any new animals?
- Tut, our new camel, has been on loan to the zoo!
He is now officially in his forever home! Funds were raised through Facebook donations, a King Tut shirt fundraiser, and a generous donation from a local zoo supporter.
What upcoming events are planned?
- Boo at the Zoo!It is one of our biggest fundraisers in October. As of now, there are no solid plans of going forward with it. Hopefully Phase 3 will find us and we can move forward with making that happen! It’s a FUN event... area businesses and organizations set up through the zoo. Kids dress up and trick or treat through the zoo, have costume contests, get face paintings, play games, and so much more!
- Jungle Bells in December
It is contingent on Covid-19 mandates by the governor. It is our annual event that is sponsored by Guerriero & Guerriero and features free entries, bike & gift giveaways, a snow machine, amusement rides, and more!
Maggie Generoso, President
Louisiana Purchase Zoological Society
maggiesims3@yahoo.com
(318) 282-3910
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