The animals at Plumpton Park Zoo miss the people who used to come to visit. But at least they're still alive.
"They're noticeably lonely," says zoo owner Edward Plumstead. "The little apes are so people-oriented. Whenever anyone comes around, they start performing."
The animals' fates have been in jeopardy since Cecil County officials closed the zoo in Rising Sun Oct. 3 for electrical repairs. Money at the zoo dwindled quickly without admission fees from schoolchildren and other visitors.
Mr. Plumstead and zoo Director Samuel Conner feared that, without operating funds, they could not afford to feed the stock of bison, camels, prairie dogs, monkeys, a petting zoo and more at the 100-acre park.
"These animals will be destroyed this December," zoo officials wrote in a Nov. 9 letter, in which they sought help from the community.
Last week, the county commissioners approved $16,600 in emergency money for the zoo. And, donations from all over Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Virginia have given the troubled zoo an infusion of money and supplies.
"It's heartwarming, all the caring people out there," said Mr. Conner, sitting in the zoo's main office surrounded by stacks of letters offering support. The zoo also has received produce and other food items from concerned people and businesses.
"We've gotten everything from carrots to coconuts," Mr. Conner said. In addition to eating leafy greens and dog and cat food, some of the 350 animals are getting a gourmet diet of strawberries and kiwi, Mr. Plumstead said.
But the largess -- the county money and $6,000 from other contributors -- will help the zoo survive only until February, Mr. Conner estimated.
A continuing controversy centers on the zoo's 25-year lease with the county and who is financially responsible for correcting the zoo's problems, estimated to cost about $150,000. The county claims that it is not liable for the repairs.
Mr. Plumstead filed a $5 million lawsuit against the county in October to settle the argument. The zoo received a setback Oct. 23 when a Cecil County circuit judge dismissed the owner's request to allow the park to reopen after repairs are made and be financially supported by the county until the suit is decided.
To shore up funds, meanwhile, the zoo today will begin selling copies of a personalized children's book, "Where in the Zoo Are You?"
The hardcover book sells for $9.25 plus a $2.50 mailing fee. It can be obtained by calling the zoo at (410) 658-6850.
Mr. Plumstead, 67, who has lived on the zoo property since 1945, began collecting animals as a hobby in the 1950s. He opened the zoo in 1987 and named it after an Old English poem about white fallow deer. It attracted 3,000 visitors the first year.
Last year, 51,000 people walked through the zoo's meandering, shady paths.
"We can hardly wait to open again," Mr. Plumstead said. "So many people want to get in."
Mr. Conner and Mr. Plumstead also hope that the new Cecil County commissioners, who take office Dec. 5, will come to their aid with additional county money. The two men invited the new commissioners to visit the zoo Sunday. Two of the three came.
"I'm confident that once we are in office, together we can come up with a compromise to open the zoo and get things moving forward," said Commissioner-elect Larry Truslow.
"What we were hearing from folks during the election is that a good majority think a lot of the zoo," said Commissioner-elect Oakley Sumpter, after touring the park. "How it's financed is the problem."
"It's not a question of the facility," he added. "My two grandchildren love it."