AMES, Iowa — Despite the support from thousands, the Insect Zoo at Iowa State University will remain closed.

Last month, the university’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences announced the closure of the Insect Zoo because of its budget deficit.

The impact that the Insect Zoo had on Iowans in the last 30-years quickly came to the limelight after one Des Moines mom, Justine Bailey, started a petition to save the zoo. She made it because her kids grew up attending its programs, and those experiences directly influenced their decisions to now becoming engineers.

“My family is full of smart, nerdy kids,” said Bailey. “Many other kids have sports and other activities to rely on, but for kids whose main interest is things in the STEM field, this is something that really got them excited.”

She said the state of Iowa doesn’t have anything quite like the Insect Zoo.

In just the last 13-years, over 90 students at Iowa State University helped reach over 500,000 people through the zoo, according to the petition.

The petition garnered over 3,300 signatures and around 130 comments and videos from current students, alumni, and visitors who shared the importance of the zoo.

One video response came from an alumna who shared that her experience working at the zoo ten years ago is the reason she perused her masters and doctorate in her field. She ended her video statement with, “We must protect the zoo.”

Another video response came from a mother who said her 13-year-old son first visited the zoo when he was nine. Now, his bedroom is inspired by nature. She even showed his wallpaper that depicts a waterfall. She said he plans to attend Iowa State in the future to study entomology. She concluded her video statement with, “Please save the zoo. It makes a difference.”

Despite the community support, Iowa State University will follow through with the closure. In a statement sent to WHO 13 News, the university said:

“The decision to close the Insect Zoo is final and programming ended on April 27. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences continues to explore opportunities for insect education and outreach. While difficult, the college made the decision to close the Insect Zoo after a review determined its budget model was no longer viable.”

It’s not clear yet where the insects will go, but the university previously told WHO 13 News that they are working to find all of the insects a home.