Woodland Park Can Use Farm For Zoo Breeding

Gazelles and African springbok will run free at a former Enumclaw dairy farm under a plan unanimously approved by the Metropolitan King County Council.

The proposal, submitted by the Woodland Park Zoo, will allow prime farmland to be used as a breeding facility for threatened and endangered zoo animals.

It passed Monday after several weeks of debate over whether zoo breeding was appropriate in a county farm zone.

Zoo officials expect it will be two years before breeding operations begin at the 120-acre, $700,000 facility, which will house mostly hoofed animals and birds.

Despite a unanimous vote, some council members were concerned that the approval would threaten areas already set aside as farmlands.

Councilwoman Cynthia Sullivan reminded the group that the county had already paid $443,000 to permanently keep the Enumclaw land agricultural.

Councilman Larry Phillips proposed an ordinance that would prohibit public agencies from buying additional protected farmlands.