SEATTLE -- Hard times are forcing new cutbacks at Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo that could mean layoffs and the closure of one of the zoo's most popular exhibits, KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reported.

More than 1 million people are expected to visit the zoo this year, but with donations down and costs rising, zoo officials say they have to make painful cuts.

"We know that we can't sustain the zoo unless we make some changes in our operation," said David Schaefer of the Woodland Park Zoo.

The zoo's board is cutting $700,000 dollars from its $29 million budget that includes 12 full-time jobs.

Some staffers will be offered voluntary buyouts, so the number of actually layoffs is still to be determined.

But the Night House -- the exhibit where nocturnal animals are tricked into being active during the day -- will be closed to save money.

"We are closing it with great reluctance," Schaefer said.

Closing the night house exhibit will save $250,000 a year -- $30,000 a year alone on natural gas for heating.

I just really like to see the bats and the little lorises and stuff," said Kate Turner, a zoo patron. "They're really interesting animals and you don't see them at every zoo. I think it's a really special exhibit. I've gone there for years."

The Night House will likely close sometime in February or March.

Some of the animals will stay at the zoo; others will be sent to other zoos.

Officials are promising plenty of notice to let fans of the animals say goodbye.