U-M Zoo Animals Will Go To Omaha

Ann Arbor's zoo animals are going to Omaha, Neb.

That's the word from Dr. Irving G. Reimann, director of the University exhibit museum and the man in charge of the zoo at the rear of the University Museums Building.

Another 40 letters asking for the animals or expressing hope they will not be destroyed were received by Reimann yesterday, bringing the total to about 250 letters from 40 states.

Reimann said the Omaha city zoo is expanding and wants the animals for its growing collection. He said he has received permission for the transfer from the Michigan Conservation Department.

Reimann selected the Omaha offer, he said, because the zoo there appears to have the  best and most professional facilities for proper care of the animals.

In addition, the public will be able to continue viewing them free of charge, as has been the case in Ann Arbor during the zoo's 34 years of existence.

No date for the transfer has been set but the zoo must be removed by the end of September to allow construction of a $1,000,000 building for animal research.