AMES, Iowa — The Iowa State Insect Zoo has been struggling with its budget for several years. Last Tuesday, it was announced that the Insect Zoo would be closing.

“It was kind of a shock for me so we have had discussions about our budget for, for quite some time which really took a turn when Covid hit,” said Zoo Director Ginny Mitchell. “We went into the red about $60,000 and then that just snowballed from there, so over the past couple months I’ve had a few meetings where I have put forth plans for fundraising.”

Mitchell has taken the insect zoo all over Iowa, instructing thousands of students on the values insects provide. Some of the students were upset over the school’s decision.

“I find it very disheartening that relating to the budget Iowa State University has considered other events and practices more of a priority than the public outreach,” said Jacob Peace, an ISU student.

The effort to save the Insect Zoo is on-going with an online petition, and a pitch for financial support. Concern can also be sent to ISU President Wendy Wintersteen via mail at 1750 Beardshear 515 Morill Road Ames, Iowa 50011-2103, or via email at wwinters@iastate.edu.

“I have put forth plans for fundraising and for a price change for our fee for service of Insect Zoo,” said Mitchell. “We could make up that deficit and actually get back into where we were breaking even.”

Iowa State issued a statement on Monday regarding the Insect Zoo.

“Iowa State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences made the decision to close the Insect Zoo after a review of its structure and programming. The review determined that the zoo’s budget model, which is primarily funded through user fees, was no longer viable. The college is working to find a home for all the insects and plans to explore possible insect education and outreach opportunities in the future.”

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