Long Island’s largest and most controversial zoo is closing after local officials unanimously agreed to strip its funding and send its allegedly horrifically abused animals to rescue facilities.

Brookhaven’s Town Board passed its 2026 budget Thursday night in a 7-0 vote — and the move cemented the shutdown of the Holtsville Ecology Center’s zoo in a knockout blow to residents fighting to keep the animal sanctuary open and funded by taxpayers.

“There needs to be far more in terms of an investment and resources into even attempting to run this operation properly,” explained Town Supervisor Dan Panico at Thursday’s board meeting.

The board’s new $367 million budget wiped out the more than $2 million a year it spent to cover operating costs at the animal preserve, which was run by the to

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