Minnesota Zoo officials finalized staff cuts Monday prompted by slumping attendance and rising operating costs.

Management notified seven workers from a range of departments that their positions had been terminated, said zoo spokeswoman Beth Burns. The layoffs and other expense reductions will help save the state-run facility $500,000.

Seven personnel cuts represent less than 3 percent of the zoo's 278 full- and part-time permanent employees, she said.

Increased costs relating to salaries, animal feed and energy prices took a toll. A salary freeze was lifted, mandating that the Apple Valley establishment provide raises. That resulted in about $1 million in additional expenses.

Expense reductions over the past few quarters, such as trims to the marketing budget and leaving vacant positions open, have not been enough, Burns said.

Personnel makes up 70 percent of the zoo's $25 million budget.

Lower attendance during vital summer months also had negative financial consequences. Attendance was down 4.5 percent, Burns said, though the staff still expects more than 1 million visitors this year.

The zoo hit record highs of more than 1.3 million earlier in the decade after major new exhibits opened, but may have hit a lull as it works on upcoming additions.

Liz Sawyer