“It was very sad and difficult decision,” says Lynn Mento, executive director of FONZ.
The 63-year relationship between the Smithsonian National Zoo & Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) has been disbanded, the zoo revealed in a statement on February 4.
So why...considering the non-profit's name insists a direct correlation between the two organizations?
"Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has had continued financial impacts on both FONZ and NZP/SCBI, which required a re-assessment of their longstanding relationship, " the statement said.
According to the zoo's FAQ page, current FONZ members will be "reinstated" into the zoo's new membership program which will still include "access to parking passes and discounts on food and gift shop purchases."
You can learn more about the transition here.
Photo: Getty