Woman leaves $27,000 to Cherry Brook Zoo

The Director of the Cherry Brook Zoo in Saint John says the zoo's financial problem is $27,000 smaller.

Somebody unexpectedly remembered the zoo in a will.

Linda Collrin, a spokesperson for the zoo, says the gift is just like an early Christmas present.

Collrin says the money is from the estate of a woman who died two years ago. Zoo officials have just found out about the bequest.

Collrin says the woman's generosity has unknowingly made a major difference in the future of the zoo.

The money comes at just the right time, after the city cut its annual grant to the zoo by 10%.

The zoo's trustees have told city council they are running a deficit and any further cuts might force them to shut down.