Though the Woodland Park Zoo's energy-inefficient Night Exhibit closed March 1 as a cost-savings measure, the has committed to continue caring for seven of the exhibit’s 15 species. Now, BNSF Foundation has stepped forward with a $20,000 challenge grant to help toward the long-term care of these animals.

“BNSF is issuing a challenge to the community to match our gift and help the zoo raise $50,000 for the nocturnal animal fund by May 1,” Gus Melonas, regional director of public affairs with BNSF Railway, said in a press release.

The fund will help make modifications to existing areas at the zoo for the Night Exhibit animals that will remain, support their long-term care, and help toward an assessment process to determine the future of the Night Exhibit building.

Since the Night Exhibit closure date was announced in January, the community has already contributed $5,500 to the nocturnal animal fund, according to the press release.

“We were inspired by the outpouring of community support we witnessed around the Night Exhibit, and we’re proud to play a role in helping the zoo care for these well-loved animals,” Melonas said in the press release. “We hope to see the community step up to the challenge and give the zoo the support it needs.”

The BNSF Foundation is the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway had been BNSF Railway’s main vehicle for charitable giving.

A revamped Adaptations Building re-opens on May 1 with some Night Exhibit animals in newly renovated exhibit spaces.

A pair of two-toed sloths will join tamanduas (small anteaters native to South America), and a colony of Rodrigues fruit bats will be joined by springhaas (small rodents native to southeastern Africa).

“We’re grateful to BNSF and the community for their generosity in providing additional funding toward our continued commitment to nocturnal animals at the zoo,” zoo President and CEO Dr. Deborah Jensen said in the press release.

Additional animals remaining include a three-banded armadillo that will join others as a presentation animal for up-close education programs and a slow loris and trio of pygmy lorises to be housed in off-view areas to allow the zoo to continue its commitment toward the pygmy loris Species Survival Plan, cooperative breeding programs designed to ensure genetic diversity and demographic stability.

The north end of the Adaptations Building is currently closed for modifications to accommodate the Night Exhibit animals remaining at the zoo and to remodel an exhibit that brings meerkats back to the zoo after a 10-year absence.

The closure of the Night Exhibit drew a strong outpouring of support and efforts to save it from Woodland Park Zoo patrons.

Its closure was among a series of cost-savings measures that will enable the zoo to operate sustainably over the long term and help reduce annual expenses by $800,000 to $1 million in 2010 and beyond, according to the press release.

Donations to the Nocturnal Animal Fund can be made online or by mail to: Woodland Park Zoo, 601 N. 59th St., Seattle, WA 98103.