My Petition - San Francisco Zoo Needs A Big Fix, Before Pandas!

Another forum for awareness, I have started a Petition.  It had to be done.  I am sick of reading preposterous statements by representatives of Zoo management.  The disregard for truth of the matter is sickening.  

Someone has got to help us Save Our Zoo from this insanity, or we won't have a Zoo in the near future.

Please, sign, comment and share my Petition!  Thanks!

https://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/934/767/628/

Petition Text:

San Francisco Zoo Needs A Big Fix, Before Pandas!

Our San Francisco Zoo has been in the news this past week.  News of Animal Welfare and Safety concerns, Employee vs Management Turmoil, and Mayor London Breed securing Giant Pandas for our SFZoo.

I have been documenting all the Zoo issues I know of, via my Zoo related blog ( iamnotananteater.blogspot.com ) for over thirteen years.  I have shared my observations and upset with all managing entities, including the SF Zoological Society and the SF Recreation and Park Dept, both who are responsible for the checks and balances of what SFZoo Director Tanya Peterson does there.  Not one person takes any issues put forth by myself, or staff, seriously.  They give have allowed Peterson's mismanagement for over fifiteen years.  

Will anyone stop this insane cycle and help those of us who care, Save Our San Francisco Zoo?  

There is a long Fix List and it should be tended to before anything happens in regards to Pandas arriving in San Francisco!

There is reported initial costs for the Panda venture of $25 million, and that's just to build enclosures.  Enclosures plural, is obscene to me.  

At the top of the Fix List, should be a complete make-over of the Orangutan enclosure.  I have documented the plight of these poor Souls, at the hands of Director Peterson's cruelty in not providing them with a proper home.  They were kept in caged tubes for eight months, then given access to a sixty year old enclosure, where they will sadly remain for life, if something isn't done. This needs to be remedied before Pandas get not one, but two homes!?  What needs to happen is scrapping the $4 million temporary home for Pandas and using that for a new Orangutan home.  Building just one permanent enclosure for the Pandas, before they get here.  Anything else is misuse of funds and mismanagement.

There are other Fixes, including many Animal Needs, but there is also the Fix that needs to happen to prevent further mismanagement and ruin to our San Francisco Zoo.  That is replacing Director Tanya Peterson and examination of the neglect in management duties by the San Francisco Zoological Society Board of Directors and the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department.  

Our Zoo is owned by the City of San Francisco, and it's time the Mayor takes an interest in what's going on there.  Especially now when she wants Giant Pandas to be a success for Our City.

Please Sign and Share this Petition, & add a Comment with your signature, to Help Save Our Zoo.  Do it for the Animals who already live live there and the ones who someday will.  

Once the Petition comments reach 100, I will send this to all appropriate entities.  Remember you can comment Name Withheld for Anonymity.  

   

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Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

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My Reaction To The Statement By The San Francisco Zoo Re The Chronicle Article

I still have my reaction to yesterday's article to write, and within minutes of waking up, I was hipped to the Zoo's own reaction.  Here is a screencap, posted to their Instagram.  

Before I react to the Zoo's words, I want to say something about the comments I read.  I always read comments, because while there will be the annoying ones that have no place in a public forum, the frustrating ones made by those who have no clue and/or wear rose colored glasses, there are always gems from those who do know what's going on and who do get it.  It's time consuming, but important.  I like to know what everyone's opinion is, because that's how you know what your up against if your mission is awareness of truths.  

The first time I ever dived so deep into comments for any reason, not just regarding the Zoo, was after the Tiger event in 2007.  That had international publicity and you can imagine how many comments were even on the multitudes of local news forums.  It was days of long hours, just reading comments.  At the time, I was just a Zoo bystander.  I was a member, as I had been my whole life, but I only visited maybe  once a month, special events and holidays.  I didn't know any staff, I didn't know the Animals individually, I didn't know about anything that may have been going on there.  What I did know was this was a place that had been a part of my life, my whole life.  It was a part of me and I was protective of it.  I was extremely affected by that event, as I was there that day and have the last photo ever taken of Tatiana.  As I read the thousands of comments that bashed my happy place, I was deeply saddened by the words I read.  While there is too much to note here on that event, as this is not meant for that, it is meant to express why, like then, when I read or even hear bad stuff about the Zoo, it saddens me.  The Zoo has been like a second home to me, and the Animals like my outside non-human family.  My goal since that Christmas Day in 2007 has been to spread truths and try to enlighten, for our Zoo to be the best it can be.

As the years have gone on, I have been down many roads with my experiences at the Zoo.  A big turning point was when my character was attacked with lies put forth by Zoo Director Tanya Peterson.  She took my membership away (giving me the status of being the first person in the history of the Zoo to have that happen).  Her lies to created a stigma that had a majority of staff treating me like I was an enemy of the Zoo.  Her treatment of me resulted in my need to start documenting my experiences.  I had previously only wrote about the Animals as I tried to endear people to them, feeling that if people knew them like I did, it would help lift the dark cloud the Tiger event created.  Yet Director Peterson's actions against me were forcing me to also document the things that just weren't right.  Unfortunately her actions against me weren't isolated.  This was 2011, she had been Director three years and her reign of terror was gaining momentum.  All anyone has to do is read through my blog to see what she has done to the Zoo, that so many of us love dearly.  

I'm writing this post without any previous thoughts, so I apologize if my free flowing words are getting off topic.  What I want people to know is, the Zoo itself is not the problem.  The problem is isolated to Director Peterson, and the Zoological Society Board who has allowed her to mismanage the Zoo to ruin, because the Society in essence wants nothing to do with managing her or the Zoo.  Director Peterson has no experience with Animals, I don't even think she likes Animals, and in my opinion has a personal issue with Primates specifically, but I digress. Her inexperience in itself is not the problem,  it's her self-importance, lack of compassion, and general not giving a shit, that has prevented her from successfully managing the Zoo.  She has been surrounded by Animal Care Staff who have tried to educate, advise and guide her, and she has not listened to any of them, to the detriment of the Animals in many situations.  

When I read comments that are worded in ways that slant accuracy, especially in reference to the Animal's care, that bothers me.  With a few exceptions, the Animal Care Staff do everything they can to give the Animals the best life.  They are fed, have medical care, enrichment, and are loved by their caregivers.  Any issue outside of that, including improper housing, is a management issue.  Using the Orangutans as an example.  What happened to them, having no dedicated home before coming here and the emotional, mental, and physical repercussions of that, are solely on Director Peterson.  The care they got from Keepers was and is exceptional, given the circumstances.  Keepers did their best to provide the best life for them during the time those poor Souls were confined to decrepit night quarters and caged tubes.  

So, finally I will get to my reaction to the Zoo's official statement in regard to Wednesday's Chronicle article.  Like the statements made by ex-Society Board Chair Ed Poole, statements made by the Zoo, proxy to Director Tanya Peterson, are designed to do damage control.  They refer to things that really hold no value to what is being presented.  

In their first sentence they quote the article contains, "misrepresented information, ... and inaccurate facts".  Yet they do not expand on What they believe is untrue and Why.  This singularly is the problem with management.  They, Director Peterson, the Board Chair, et al, do not believe they have any responsibility to address anything or answer for anything, to anyone.  

Included in the nonsense of inspections, accreditation and attendance? mentioned, they go on to tout and praise their Animal Care teams, the very people they refuse to listen to advice from. And again like a broken record will say, How dare they, Director Tanya Peterson, I'm speaking directly to you, ... How dare you speak of taking Animal Care seriously, when (among other cruel offenses) you kept Great Apes in a caged tube for eight months!!!  The Animal Care Staff are the ones who took caring for the Orangutans and every other Animal that lives there seriously, not you.  You and the Society, the managing entities are the problem at the Zoo. 

Let's be very clear, all the Animal Care teams you speak of, they are the ones keeping the Zoo from being sucked down the drain your fifteen years of mismanagement is barreling it towards.  

And speaking of Proud, where is your Pride for the way the outside of the Zoo looks?  And again, I'm playing that old tune of "The Broke Ass Perimeter Fence".  While you take funds away from Animal Needs, to build Gardens and Art Installations, which the Zoo doesn't need, why don't you replace that near hundred year old fence.  You do little to earn your obscene salary for the part-time (at best) attention you give the Zoo, you should donate the funds to replace it.  

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Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

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My Reactions To Chronicle Article - Wednesday April 17, 2024

I've read the article once, and at that time, I made notes as I read on what I wanted to react to.  I'll expand on those points soon, but first I want to give my overall opinion.

While I've known about the article since the start, I never knew what the angle or goal was for the reporter.  I was happy that it focused on Animal Welfare, unlike the wasted unknown author Petition from last year.  Most of the issues brought up I knew about and have documented, with the exception of the Bear "chase" and Penguin death (RIP).  The later very upsetting, as it did echo what happened to Kabibe (infant Gorilla).  Both so horrific and heartbreaking.  Admittedly, I have trouble understanding these tragedies.  So many, too many incidents, that I was left wondering why nowhere in the article did the reporter, question the core of who is responsible in these incidents.  To me there was only reporting what was given to her in interviews, and the slick PR statements made by Zoo related Reps.  There seemed to be no additional investigating or questioning.  I would have pushed those Reps with questions that couldn't be answered so smoothly.  Indeed the article will peak minds but won't hold them long, and I don't think will do much to help get the change in management there that's desperately needed, which I have to assume was the goal of those who came forward and spoke out.

I'm very happy that ex-Orangutan Keeper Melissa brought the sad plight of Ollie and Amoi to the forefront.  Those who have been following my blog since before their arrival five years ago, know I have written extensively about their life here.  The cruelty that Director Tanya Peterson inflicted on them should have been enough to get her fired, yet she's still there ruining the place.  

Additionally, I had been doing endless documentation on the threat to our Animals lives by visitors breaching barriers.  The stream of people daily who hang their kids over the barrier at Code Red Animal enclosures, could one day get one of our Animals killed.  I've seen the Target team rifle ready and its scary and sad.  I stopped documenting because No one cares.  

Starting at the beginning of the article, with former Society Board Chair Ed Poole.  This guy is too much.  He makes multiple statements through-out the article, the first of which is, “predicated on outdated or simply untrue information” and were “uniformly objectionable and baseless.”    His inability to accept what's been presented to him, is truly disgusting, and not surprising.  No Zoo related Rep is going to admit even the possibility of wrong doing.  They are always going to have a general slick answer.  Him bringing up compliance, and other non-issue related wording to deflect is useless babel. And for him to note there was no safety issue to public, is offensive to Staff and Animals.  Staff could be in danger in a situation like with the Bears, and the Bears could get a bullet to the head if they had made contact with the Keeper. Those are both serious outcomes. Yet ok according to Poole because no public in danger? ... That all said, again, the reporter should have pushed and asked, Since you're so vehement to dismiss as untrue, what proof do you have that these things are untrue?  Do you go to the zoo and see what's going on?  Do you ask questions about what's going on?  Do you look at and for things with your own eyes to see what's going on?  Or do you just take Director Peterson's word on everything?  How many times did you walk the Zoo grounds last year?  How often do you talk to Animal Care Staff?  

Poole was asked about the Orangutans situation, which he did not talk about.  Yea, he didn't talk about because he either knew nothing about it, or didn't care. Either way, complete negligence of management duties.

Another Poole statement, "...the zoo has provided excellent care to its animals,..."  So, the San Francisco Zoological Society Board of Directors Chair, thinks that keeping two Great Apes living in caged tubes for eight months, is "excellent care"?  

Let me rehash when Director Peterson made a Pandemic joke about the Orangutans.  

Ed Poole and Tanya Peterson, shame on both of you.  You are despicable.  Neither one of you should a part of an Animal Care facility management team.

Additionally, the article mentioned a photo of Peterson near a Seal, shows her continued disrespect of non-human Beings.  In my opinion, from everything I've seen and heard about Tanya Peterson, I find it hard to believe she even likes Animals.

The article also brings up Peterson's nepotism.  The notations about her daughter and fiance, are allegedly not the only time this has happened.  I've heard of many family and friends of her and Board Members being given jobs.  She allegedly asked a Curator to take a pay cut, so she could up the pay of a friend in another position.  It's actually comical that Vitus Leung is quoted talking about this, as I heard he is tight with Peterson and was allegedly given the title of Deputy Director (in addition to being VP of HR), so he would get the pay raise.  Whether true or not, this guy shouldn't even be working at an Animal Care facility.  I once over heard him call an Animal ugly.  He obviously doesn't own a mirror.

More on statments.  Poole also notes passing USDA inspection.  The USDA inspection is confined to certain guidelines.  Not everything is covered in an inspection.  I know this because I've talked to USDA a few times and asked questions.  Something the reporter should have done.  It would have shown that Poole doesn't know anything about what really goes on at the Zoo, and that's because like everyone else, He doesn't care.

Another person quoted was former Community Zoological Society Board Member Elena Asturias.  "She praised Peterson’s fundraising abilities..."  Again, a missed opportunity, since Peterson cries poor and has done little to no fundraising for the Zoo in her fifteen years there.  Why wasn't Asturias asked for examples of the fundraising she is impressed by?  I'd also like to know in what way she represented Community concerns about management?

Quoting Dan Ashe from the AZA was useless.  He knows nothing.  He's the head of an organization that thought it was just fine to send Orangutans to SF when there was no enclosure for them.  Again the reporter could have asked details about why the Orangutans were sent here, with no place for them to live.  I'm not trying to hate on the reporter, just showing how by questioning these people who gave formulated responses, her article could have provided ammunition that proved there is blame on the Zoo Director for so much and a desperate need for change in leadership and in my opinion an examination of the whole management structure.

No surprise Director Tanya Peterson and RecPark GM Phil Ginsburg declined to be interviewed.  I've had experience with both.  Neither feels like they have to answer for anything.  I went to Ginsburg's Office in 2011 and while his receptionist lied to me, he hid in his office.  At a Joint Zoo Meeting in 2015, I questioned Peterson about the Chimpanzees and she literally put her head down and stared at the table, refusing to answer me.  As someone said to me the other day, "She's the worst"

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Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

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Pyramid Of Power - Understanding Who Is Supposed To Be Managing Our SFZoo

As I've mentioned this post has been in draft for several or more years, I will note that I may have an additional post on the subject, as for now, I'm not going to open the computer and read through old notes.  I'll just wing it as I write.  Winging it has been mentioned before, and a new style of posting in more recent times.  I have always prepared posts extensively, with endless notes, graphics, paragraph organization and other well thought out design.  These days, I just don't have it in me.  Even though I feel it's more loose, I hope I still present things in an informative way.  It often doesn't even save on actual writing time, just on prep time and mental anguish of reliving old thoughts.

I learned early on, from a few long-time Staffers, how the system works.  Rather how it's supposed to work.  How it has worked, unfortunately has played out in my fifteen+ years of monitoring the Zoo.  Whether that be things I've seen with my own eyes on Zoo grounds/Park Bison Paddock and at Joint Zoo Committee Meetings, conversations and/or correspondence I've had with Staff and/or managing entities,  what I've read in researching issues, or in any other way I have come to know these truths, it is all based on my personal experience.

My understanding of the way the power system works is as such.

*The City of San Francisco - Owns the SFZoo

*The SFZoo, is part of the SF Recreation and Park Department - Alleged managing Entity

*The SFZoo is "Managed" by the San Francisco Zoological Society.

*Tanya Peterson is the SFZoo Director and CEO (Shouldn't that be two separate positions?).

Those are the four main components. 

As I understand it, per the Lease Agreement of 1993 the SF Zoological Society, I assume meaning Board Members, are supposed to be managing the Zoo.  The SF Rec and Park is supposed to have a similar managing role as the Zoo is in their Dept. and they are part of the checks and balances (my term) that participates in the monitoring process.

The monitoring process is held in the form of The Joint Zoo Committee Meetings.  These Meetings are supposed to be eleven per calendar year. They consist of three Rec and Park Commissioners, three Zoological Society Board Members and two additional, one a DVM and one from Animal Control and Welfare.

The Meetings are intended as a monthly Wrap-up, FYIs, Animal Transaction notations and request for approval and Public comment.

In my experience, nothing in this system has worked as it has been described it is supposed to.  

*The City has been completely hands off.  

*The Rec and Park has been completely hands off, other than Commissioner presence at Meetings.

*The Zoological Society has been completely hands off, other than Board Members presence at Meetings, including one Board Member who is also a Docent. Note: It was brought to my attention years ago, that SF Zoological Society Member Mary Sutton (Docent), was elevated to Board Member, allegedly in violation of the guidelines for Board of Directors as outlined in the Lease Agreement.  Who knows if the second seat is even held by an unbiased community member.

In my experience, no one in the SF Zoological Society cares to take an active role managing the Zoo.  Instead defering to whatever Director Peterson says and does, including believing every word and action without question, and supporting her words and actions when approached. Society Members, specifically the Board of Directors rarely come to the Zoo, if at all outside of the annual Zoofest, or other special events and cocktail parties.  Apparently no one ever has questions about what goes on.  Why, because No one cares.

The same as above goes for the SF Rec and Park Dept.  No one cares.

The Joint Zoo Committee Meetings are a joke.  It's a paper-pushing, back patting ( I have literally seen a back pat!), twenty minute rush through.  No one on the panel has rarely ever asked any questions.  Things have passed right before them, that should have been questioned.  No one cares.

Zoo Director Peterson doesn't even go to the Joint Zoo Meetings any more.  Her attendance in the past several to more years has been sporatic, and from January 2023 to March 2024, she has only been to one out of eleven Meetings, and she didn't even give the administrative presentation at that one. So in addition to allegedly rarely making an appearance on Zoo grounds, she can't make it to a twenty minute meeting, once a month.  She doesn't care.

They can all dispute this, but take one look at our Zoo, inside and the perimeter fence that holds it, and that proves No one cares.  

If anyone of the Board of Directors wants to hip me to how many times they visited the Zoo in 2023, I'd be interested to know.  My guess is zero to two.

Anyone who wants a copy of the Lease Agreement can email the Rec and Park and request a copy.

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Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

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There's Just SO Much... Where To Begin Is The Question

Not sure where to start with posts today.  Time is ticking, I've been awake three hours, since 7:30a when I reached for my tablet that lies next to me in bed, and saw today's news article that someone had sent me.

Feeling alot of pressure.  I have a home project that needs immediate attention, but I also need to catch up on blog posts.  It's especially important to me now, as so much of what I've been saying for years is (I guess) being legitimatized by media. ... Too bad more people didn't take my ramblings seriously before this, the Zoo might be in better shape today.

That said, there's a time for everything.  I have been driven to much anxiety and upset about the Zoo over so many things, for so many years. I have beaten myself up a bit for not doing more in a timely manner.  I have felt guilt because of that.  I have felt like the physical and emotional effects that dealing with Zoo issues,  that kept me from finding the energy to document and chase change, has let the Animals down.  Even now as I write just this description, my ears are starting to pulsate and that's before I've even written a post that relays any issue documentation.  I know there's people who think I enjoy writing these posts.  I hate Zoo blogging.  I have spent too much time and to a detriment to my health, documenting.  The only reason I do it, is because I care about the Animals and the Zoo thriving.  Sometimes I wish I didn't care.

Last Sunday I posted the list of what my final three posts in draft were and my plan to work on publishing them.

The next day, the first Chronicle article came out, yesterday news of Pandas was announced, and today, another Chronicle article.  As I still lay here in bed, thumb typing this, after doing still half asleep research to my reactions from today's article, I'm already feeling overwhelmed. 

Where to begin?  I think my years in draft post, Pyramid of Power, needs to come before my reaction to today's article, but because I like things in chronological order, maybe I need to do my reaction to Monday's article first?  Then there's the Petition I started working on last night, but after writing last nights post, I was over it and ended the night deciding to abandon that idea.  Yet, now, I think it may still be an effective way to bring more awareness to the issues and possibly get some good done for the current Zoo Residents, before Panda madness starts.  

What to do.  My mind wants to forge on, but my energy wants to get a bowl of cereal and watch a movie in the sun with my kitten.

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Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

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SF Rec and Park Commissioner Doing Damage Control

Another day our San Francisco Zoo is in the news.  

This one thankfully touches on THE most important factor in our Zoo being in the desperate state it is.  That being, the neglect of duties of all managing entities as outlined in the Lease Agreement.  More from me to come, as I will again provide proof to back my statement up.  

San Francisco Chronicle - Saturday April 20, 2024 

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/san-francisco-zoo-investigation-19410379.php

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/san-francisco-zoo-investigation-19410379.php

Chronicle’s S.F. Zoo investigation sparks concern, surprise among city officials

By Tara Duggan, Megan Fan Munce

April 20, 2024

Giraffes are seen at the San Francisco Zoo, where findings of a Chronicle investigation sparked concern among city officials.

Giraffes are seen at the San Francisco Zoo, where findings of a Chronicle investigation sparked concern among city officials.

Members of a San Francisco Zoo advisory committee expressed surprise and concern at issues of worker safety and animal welfare raised in a Chronicle investigation.

In an email to the Chronicle, Larry Mazzola, chair of the city’s Joint Zoo Committee, called for a full investigation into the accusations. 

The Chronicle report, published Wednesday, outlined complaints raised by 20 current and former employees and detailed troubling recent incidents, including a harrowing chase of a zookeeper by a grizzly bear and the death of a young penguin that was, according to keeper logs, struck by a “guillotine” door. Employees said the zoo’s upper management did not listen to their concerns. 

The Joint Zoo Committee discussed the Chronicle’s findings Thursday during its monthly meeting. The advisory group is made up of zoo representatives and members of the Recreation and Park Commission, the Commission of Animal Control and Welfare, and the San Francisco Zoological Society board, which runs the zoo. 

Later that day, the 95-year-old institution was in the spotlight again when Mayor London Breed announced that China would lend giant pandas to the zoo for the first time in decades, likely by next year. 

Mazzola said he was surprised to learn about most of the issues in the Chronicle’s report. He said he would invite Tanya Peterson, CEO and executive director of the zoo, and Melinda Dunn, the Zoological Society’s new board chair, to attend the committee’s June meeting to answer questions about the article’s findings. 

In particular, Mazzola, a business manager with United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 38, said he was concerned about allegations regarding worker safety and training.

“I want to make sure that the workers are being heard,” Mazzola said in the meeting. “Worker safety and the way that workers are being treated are the No. 1 priority, along with keeping the animals safe. That’s what this is all about.”

“There were some pretty serious allegations in the article,” said Jane Tobin, secretary of the Commission of Animal Control and Welfare. She added, “I’m not sure about the path forward.” 

On Friday, the zoo posted a statement on social media saying that the Chronicle’s report “misrepresented information and included many inaccurate facts.” The Chronicle asked the zoo to specify what facts it found to be inaccurate. 

In an ensuing email, board chair Dunn said “the evidence at the time (of the penguin’s death) was inconclusive as to the cause of death.” 

The Chronicle obtained the agenda from the July 20, 2023, Joint Zoo Committee meeting. On the report to the committee listing the five animals that died in the previous month, “head trauma” is noted next to the deceased penguin. 

Much of the rest of the email details items that were mentioned in the Chronicle report, including the fact that the zoo regularly passes inspections. Said Dunn: “We also have numerous safety protocols to ensure the safety of our staff, as well as safety and welfare committees responsible for reviewing staff concerns, evaluating the situation and resolving any issues. We are proud of the San Francisco Zoo and our teams.”

While San Francisco owns the zoo and its animals, the Zoological Society is responsible for managing day-to-day operations, passing needed inspections, doing maintenance and making capital improvements, according to its lease. The Joint Zoo Committee is informed of animal deaths, gives approval to animal acquisitions and approves the nonprofit’s operating budget and capital improvements above $50,000.

“We have to ask more questions. We have to have answers if the public asks us, or whoever,” Mazzola said in the meeting.

Corey Hallman, a representative of the zoo’s labor union, said that the union would meet with the Zoological Society board soon to talk about issues raised in the Chronicle’s report, many of which the union has raised previously.

Tobin suggested looking into what other zoos consider best practice. She specifically pointed to the Oakland Zoo’s policy of bringing in new animals only when their habitat is complete. Former employees at the San Francisco Zoo said that a pair of orangutans were brought in to live in an exhibit for two years before it was renovated. 

In a phone interview, Supervisor Myrna Melgar, whose district includes the zoo, would not comment on the Chronicle’s findings, but said she welcomed the news about pandas coming to the zoo. 

“I definitely see the benefits for the zoo and for the city.” Melgar said. “I hope that the zoo puts its best foot forward.”

Reach Tara Duggan: 

tduggan@sfchronicle.com

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Blogger's Statement

"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."

For Full Statement see this post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

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Pandas For SFZoo, Great! But Fix The Place First!

I'm finally wrapping up my day and catching up on all the Panda media stories, starting with Mayor Breed's video announcement.

Not going to lie, I cried a bit at the joy I know I'll feel seeing Giant Pandas here again.  That said, I think a good many of those tears were for our Orangutans, just like the tears I shed for our Chimpanzees when they waited over twenty years for an upgraded home.

I've written a few posts already about why I don't think now is the right time, and I've noted in-depth that my primary reason is because of how the Orangutans have been treated since the day they got here.  They had no designated home, they were forced to live in caged tubes, and then thrown in a sixty year old enclosure.  They NEED an appropriate home!  I had hoped (obviously foolishly) that if this did become a reality, that there would be a reasonable and responsible timeline and Zoo-wide upgrades, with Orangutans at the top of the Need List, but unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be part of the plan.  

A News item from ABC notes,  "The Zoo's CEO spoke with our media partners at the San Francisco Standard.  She hopes to renovate an existing facility so the pandas can arrive by 2025.  That will cost around $4 million, followed by $20 million for a new exhibit. The zoo plans to launch a major fundraising effort.

That to me is a very sad statement, assuming made by San Francisco Zoo Director Tanya Peterson.  

So, "major fundraising", yet Director Peterson has not done any real fundraising for the Zoo in the fifteen+ years she's been there, which has left the Zoo in a desperate state, including with too many empty enclosures.  

The big question is, WHY was it not important to her to do major fundraising for the Orangutans to have a decent home? 

Instead I guess they are destined to live on the Ancient Triple Grotto Islands their whole lives.  Even worse, apparently the Pandas will be getting two fancy enclosures, a temporary one costing $4 mil and a permanent one costing $20 mil.  And again, the Orangutans have gotten not one thing for them, not even in the enclosure they are in. Every upgrade to that enclosure was done for containment and Keeper access.   No money for netting so they can not only climb, but so the topical area can be extended.  No money to even build them new tree like structures.  It's just really disturbing.

Additionally in regards to money, Mayor Breed was previously quoted saying she would raise $25 mil.  Is that still happening?  Cause the Zoo sure could use both efforts.

And I'd be curious to know where the temporary enclosure will be.  It's already been noted that the area "designated" is in the area next to Przwalski Horses.  I still think building an enclosure adjacent to Grizzly Gulch where there are two unused enclosures would be good.  That way if/when the Pandas stay is over, the Black Bears could move there.  

So, yeah, Pandas will be bittersweet.  I'll be happy to see them, but sad if the Zoo doesn't get alot of Needs fixed between now and then.  There's a big to do list, as too many things been piling up for over a decade, and there's also the big problem with mismanagement.  The whole way the Zoo is managed, from Director Peterson, to the Zoological Society Board, to the Rec and Park. All managing entities outlined in the lease agreement, yet the latter two have been negligent in their duties, and Peterson has been the worst. There is no checks and balances, which is why our Zoo is in a desperate state.  

It's a tall order, but many years in the making, before a big thing like Pandas happens, I'd like to see things fixed and new management.  That said, the later probably won't happen.  So, I'd be happy with at least this fix list completed...

*Netting over two Grotto enclosures for the Orangutans.  Moats filled to extend topical space.  And that damn bridge demolished! ... Netting the third grotto for another species.

*Finish netting Flamingos.  

*All empty enclosures occupied.  

*More Marsupials added to the WalkAbout

*Additional Monkey Species

*South Gate repopulated and reopened.

*New perimeter fence.  

The Zoo would most likely raise prices for day tickets and can't expect people to pay and there not to be enough Animals to see.  People are already complaining.  And it would be awful if people had to line-up along that broken down fence.

Additional thoughts, with expected spike in attendance, the Zoo would need to hire more people, security, ticket sales, gate house,...  As well, it's been said to me by some, that three isnt enough Bamboo on grounds to feed Red Pandas, so trucking it in would be another expense.

I still think fixing the Zoo first would have been the better timeline, not bring them here next year, but maybe it's a grab them when and while you can thing?  I just think if the Zoo was fixed and they arrived to an awesome Zoo in time to greet the new year, as the Zoo heads into its 100th Anniversary in 2029, that would be ideal and quite something to celebrate.

I just hope this all works out as successfully as the Mayor and Director think it will.  I worry for our Zoo.

I feel like I may have been all over the place in presenting thoughts, but it's alot, and I'm really getting tired of pointing out the right and obvious way things should be done.

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