Supporters and opponents of closing the Holtsville zoo made their final arguments Thursday night during a Brookhaven Town board meeting before officials decide the facility's fate later this month.

Hundreds packed the Town Hall auditorium in Farmingville for a public hearing on the proposed 2026 town budget, which calls for shuttering the preserve and relocating about 130 animals to sanctuaries. Closing the zoo will save taxpayers about $2 million annually, Supervisor Dan Panico has said.

The town board will vote on the budget, including whether to close the zoo, at its Nov. 20 meeting, Panico said.

Discussion of the zoo dominated the 2½-hourlong public hearing, with most of the 35 speakers imploring Brookhaven officials to keep the zoo open.

Supporters, including parents, Scout leader

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