Zoos, aquariums face ax in tough times

SYRACUSE: Even porcupines could get pink slips in the slumping economy as US states consider cutting or eliminating funding that supports zoos, aquariums and botanical gardens.

As part of his plan to help New York address a potential $15.4 billion budget shortfall, Governor David Paterson has called for cutting funding for the Zoo, Botanical Garden and Aquarium Program from $9 million to $4 million in the state's 2009 budget.

New York isn't the only place where hard financial times threaten government support for zoos, aquariums and gardens known collectively as "living museums".