WORCESTER, Mass. – Facing serious financial effects of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, the EcoTarium will close Sept. 4 for the fall and winter, resulting in a loss of 24 staff positions.

The staff changes are being made at all levels and will be achieved through a combination of layoffs and hour reductions. Some remaining employees will also take pay cuts.

A staff of 13 will remain to handle the reduced operations and provide excellent professional care for the animals who call the historic science museum home.

Those whose jobs are eliminated will receive severance pay based on their length of service.

“We have explored every possible path to continue the employment of our wonderful staff, but we were forced to make a painful decision which unfortunately means we are parting ways with many of our talented colleagues,” said Lucy Hale, president & CEO. “To delay this action we’ve implemented several creative solutions, and taken advantage of now-expired federal aid programs, but the forced closure earlier this year, our attendance plunge and continued uncertainty about COVID-19 simply leave us with few options.

“These changes, while difficult, put us in the strongest financial position as we plan for our reopening in 2021. We look forward to remaining a strong, robust part of the Worcester community.”

As a result of this plan, some of the EcoTarium’s more than 100 animals may be re-homed to other museums or zoological parks. Each of these relocations will be carefully vetted to ensure that they provide only the best care, Hale said. Those most likely to be re-homed include smaller animals used in education programs, such as amphibians, small mammals and reptiles.

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