The North Carolina Zoo’s long-promised Asia Continent is built, stocked with animals, and just sitting there waiting. After this week’s state budget vote, the only thing standing between the public and 12.5 acres of new habitats is people to run it.
Lawmakers signed off on funding that zoo leaders say removes a major financial roadblock for opening the Asia expansion, which is finished and already housing many of its future residents. The catch: the park cannot throw open the gates until it hires enough staff to safely cover trams, guest services, animal care and daily operations. And it is not yet clear whether the budget’s staffing lines actually match what the zoo says it needs.
The spending plan lawmakers approved Wednesday, and were expected to send to Gov. Josh Stein, earmarks $6.2 million in recurring funds and $1.3 million in one-time money, along with 54 new positions tied to Asia, according to The News & Observer. Zoo officials told the paper they are still combing through the numbers to see whether that package will actually cover the staffing levels required to operate the new continent safely.
Asia Is Built but Waiting on Staff
The zoo’s own Asia page notes that the 12.5-acre complex is complete and lists marquee species such as tigers, Komodo dragons, Visayan warty pigs, Asian small-clawed otters, king cobras and white-cheeked gibbons, while stressing that no opening date will be announced until both funding and staffing are secured, according to the North Carolina Zoo. The zoo also teases new visitor amenities, including an indoor café overlooking the tiger habitat and an overhead tiger walk. As an AZA-accredited institution, it says the animals are coming from other accredited facilities.
Governor Pitched a Bigger Staffing Plan
Gov. Josh Stein’s recommended budget called for a somewhat larger staffing package, about 69 new positions and roughly $7.1 million in recurring support plus $1.3 million in non-recurring funds, according to the Office of State Budget and Management's budget book. That plan reflected the governor’s estimate of what it would take to fully operate the Asia expansion on day one.
Is 54 Positions Really Enough?
Carolina Forward’s budget summary shows the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources picking up about 74.5 new full-time equivalents in the final conference report, including 54 positions earmarked for the Asia complex. That locks the zoo’s new roles into the budget on paper, but it may still fall short of the full staffing complement zoo insiders have discussed.
Local advocates and zoo officials have consistently framed staffing levels as the make-or-break factor for a safe and successful opening. Beyond simply filling slots, the park will need time to recruit specialized keepers, veterinary support staff and the front-line workers who keep trams, ticketing and guest services running smoothly.
Local Reaction and What Happens Next
Rep. Neal Jackson, who represents Randolph County, home of the zoo, told The News & Observer that he pushed to make sure money for Asia made it into the final plan and said the investment “will help ensure the zoo has the staffing needed to successfully open and operate this new area.” The paper also notes earlier local coverage in which zoo leaders warned the Asia complex could not operate effectively without roughly 70 additional employees. If the conference report is signed by the governor, the funds will move into state accounts and the hiring process can officially begin.
The zoo’s FAQ underscores that there is still no opening date on the calendar, and says staff intend to open Asia “as quickly as possible” once funding concerns are resolved, according to the park’s website. For visitors and Randolph County leaders, the real test will now be how fast the hiring pipeline can move, and whether those finished habitats turn into an open attraction later this year or next.
