Our Zoo - Gaining Independence

The timing for current Zoo Director Tanya Peterson's Resignation, could only have been better had it happened years ago.  Preferably before she kept Our Orangutans living in caged tubes for two years.

The news of Peterson's not soon enough departure next month, coinciding with Independence Day, is fitting.

Our Zoo has been saddled with her mass mismanagement for seventeen years.  It has seen extreme abuse of power.  Tanya ran rampant through Our Zoo.  There is so much that could be noted, but in my opinion, the worst has been her treatment of all Living Beings.  She refused to listen to experienced advice from Animal Care Staff, causing a wide range of welfare issues to Our Animal Residents.  She terrorized and threatened Staff, creating low morale, and forcing longtime dedicated Animal Care Staff to leave.  

As I said, there is so much more.  The saddest part of watching what has happened every step of the way, is that none of it had to happen. There didn't need to be this contention.  Unfortunately, that is what happens when someone asserts their self-entitlement.

Tanya Peterson, already a Society Member, was put in place interim.  She had no on the grounds experience, zoo knowledge or profession education.  Yet she launched and ran her reign like she knew what was best for Our Zoo, sadly and shamefully, she did that also with the lack of care.  

Coming into position, Peterson had the good fortune of a dedicated Animal Care Staff that included longtime individuals, some who had been there decades.  Some who even started as teenage volunteers, who planned to dedicate their professional lives to the Zoo they grew-up loving.  She ruined their experience to the point they left.  The list of good, caring people that she ran-out is long.  I talk about the Animal Care Staff the most because I know and have known them the most, because of my care and endearment to Our Animals.  

Our Zoo is foremost, an Animal Care Facility.  I've said it repeatedly.  That was lost on Tanya Peterson.  That is the most critical component in every one of her fails, that the Animals are the Soul of Our Zoo.  

Moving forward, I hope the Members of the Zoological Society Board who backed Peterson blindly, and were negligent in their attention to her management and the Zoo in general, will take a different approach.  I hope they will choose a new Director that has knowledge about what it takes to manage an Animal Care Facility.  

I have previously expressed my opinion about making that choice.  Our Zoo has alot of healing and repair in it's future.  I think having someone who has been here and experienced not only the fails during the Peterson years, but who was here before and had great optimism for the future of Our Zoo.  Someone who already knows Our Zoo, and most important, Cares about Our Zoo.  I hope the Society looks internally first.  They should immediately be accepting applications from current longtime Staff.  

I hope to see a bright future for Our Zoo, and not a repeat of the last seventeen years.  A new Director who will build a knowledgeable management team, allowing Our Zoo to thrive.  

July 4, 2029, Our Zoo's 100th Anniversary.  That Independence Day should see Our Zoo shining it's brightest! 

Related Post:

*Ding Dong ... She's (Almost) Gone!

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/07/ding-dong-shes-almost-gone.html