MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Minnesota Zoo is asking the legislature for help with a million dollar budget deficit.

Zoo officials said they may otherwise be facing some difficult decisions to make it up, including the possibility of closing some exhibits.

Only about 20 percent of Zoo funding comes from the state; 80 percent is from ticket sales and private fundraising. Attendance neared record levels in 2014: 1.2 million visitors.

But last year was a “perfect storm” of challenges, according to Zoo Director Lee Ehmke. This year’s record cold winter depressed attendance and spiked costs for utilities, worker pay and animal food.

The Zoo also cut $500,000 from its budget and laid off seven full time workers. Any further budget cuts, Ehmke said, “are going to have a very significantly negative impact on the guest experience at the Zoo. We will have to close exhibits if we have to continue to cut.”

The Zoo is asking the legislature for $1.2 million in emergency funding for operating expenses, and an additional $8.5 million for the next two years.

Zoo visitors said it’s worth it.

“We’re down here a couple of times a month, at least,” Zachary Schendel of Minneapolis said.

The cold doesn’t deter zoo patrons; it’s a year-round getaway.

“It’s a nice warm place in the winter. It gets us moving around a little bit. Makes for a better nap time,” Schendel said.

Despite its money woes, however, the Zoo says the deficit won’t affect plans now underway to re-open Discovery Bay, a new zip line, and a monk seal exhibit.

Zoo officials expect the new attractions to help boost revenues in 2015.