Boston zoos may get funds after euthanasia scare

Massachusetts lawmakers said Monday they would try to restore $4 million in state funds for two local zoos after operators suggested that without the money, animals might have to be destroyed — a claim the governor called a scare tactic.

Zoo New England, which runs the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and the companion Stone Zoo in suburban Stoneham, warned late last week that if the cuts stood, it would be forced to lay off most of its 165 employees and some of its 1,000 animals could possibly have to be euthanized.