Overview
- Brookhaven’s Town Board approved a $367 million 2026 budget in a 7–0 vote that removes more than $2 million in annual support for the town-run Holtsville Ecology Center.
- The free-to-access preserve houses roughly 100 mostly rescued or donated animals that officials say will be transferred to qualified sanctuaries.
- The town says relocations are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026 and may involve partnerships such as the Suffolk County Farm, according to Supervisor Dan Panico.
- Allegations of mistreatment at the facility, including claims involving a drowned mountain lion and a bear with severe dental issues, prompted scrutiny by state and local authorities, which the town says found no abuse as officials deny the accusations.
- Head caretaker Kristin Layer has accused leaders of political motives and pointed to roughly $30,000 in total raises for elected officials included in the same budget, a claim town officials reject as unrelated to the funding cut.