100 animals turned down from Indiana animal sanctuary

ALBION, Ind. – A northern Indiana exotic animal sanctuary turned away 100 animals last year amid funding troubles and a move to a new location.

The nonprofit Black Pine Animal Park has about 80 animals, such as bears, tigers and leopards. The park hosts endangered species that are retired performers or were rescued from owners who kept them as pets.

The park learned in 2006 that it would have to relocate, but completion of the new site has been hampered by lack of money. Less than half of its new 18-acre site near the Noble County town of Albion has been developed. An outdoor chimpanzee habitation remains unfinished.

Black Pine is home to the only chimp in the state that is available for public visitation, 30-year-old retired performer Tarzan. The park’s other chimpanzee died last year.

Executive Director Lori Gagen told The Journal Gazette of Fort Wayne that Tarzan needs a companion if he is to stay at Black Forest.

The park needs $15,000 to finish building an outdoor chimpanzee habitat, which would allow the park to house up to five chimps, Gagen said.

She said that the park’s funding woes stem from the expiration of grants, lack of sponsors and unsuccessful fundraising campaigns. Donors and the park’s 45 active volunteers have tried to fill the gaps.

“People have been generous financially, given the hard times,” Gagen said.

Increasing attendance, which covers about two-thirds of its operating costs, has helped the park stay afloat. Gagen said park attendance rose 15 percent last year.

About 30 percent of revenue comes from memberships, fundraising events, grants and the park’s gift shop, Gagen said. The rest is from occasional business sponsors.

Gagen said she remains convinced the move was the right idea at the right time.

“We’re really fortunate that our move happened when it did,” she said. “Trying to do something like that during the recession would have been incredibly difficult.”