The privately-owned Wildlife Science Center (WSC) in Anoka County, Minnesota, US, has been handed an eviction notice by the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR), giving the operator just six months to vacate the premises.

The attraction – which is home to a selection of wolves, bears, mountain lions, foxes, coyotes, hawks and more – first opened its doors in 1991. Also operating as a wildlife education facility for school children and as a research and training facility for biologists and conservationists, the visitor attraction is being forced to close over “serious health and safety concerns”, according to the DNR.

The centre already owns a plot of land not far away from its current home, but would need to raise US$500,000 (€460,000, £343,000) in order to build necessary housing for the animals, as well as a classroom for students. The zoo has also raised concerns about moving the animals during the winter months.

“After being a tenant on DNR land since 1991, our landlords have decided to evict us in a hostile fashion with an unreasonable timeframe,” said a statement from the zoo. “They have given us six months to get all of our animals off the land we have leased for almost 25 years, a task that will take US$500,000 to do safely and effectively.

“The WSC owns land and fully intends to move. The timeline that the state has forced upon us is unrealistic, and their claims are unsubstantiated. We hope to raise awareness of our dire need for funds, materials and marketing to get our animals safe.”

The not-for-profit has set up a fundraising page as it seeks to reach its goal. For more information, click here.