Saint Joseph City Councilmember Pat Jones says officials are working as quickly as possible to close the North American native animal exhibit at Krug Park. Jones says finding another home for the animals will take time.

“People just don’t like that.  They think we can just do something at the drop of a hat.  We can’t do that, folks,” Jones said.  “I want you to know it’s going to be done.  I just can’t tell you exactly when.”

Jones says complaints about the condition of the animals led to the decision to close the exhibit. Former Parks and Recreation Director Bill McKinney started the North American native animal exhibit two decades ago featuring buffalo, deer, and longhorn cattle.

Jones says she expects the City Council to hear from the public about the animal exhibit at the next Council meeting June 8.