Privatizing the

Last fall, the 121-year-old Dallas Zoo embarked on a bold plan to run more efficiently and save the city money: It went private.Dana Bartholomew in the Daily News.

Since then, Texas' largest zoo has saved the city millions in operating costs while generating a windfall of hefty donations.

"We think it's working quite well," said Susan Eckert, spokeswoman for the city-owned facility now operated by the nonprofit Dallas Zoological Society. "It's been seamless.