RecPark Meeting - Additional Notes - Staffing and New Exhibits

Yesterday I posted my main reactions to the Zoo's CFO Jeff Pace's presentation at Thursday's RecPark Full Commission Meeting.  I had some other notes that I wasn't sure if or when I'd use them in posts.  Before shifting the flow and moving onto posts in draft, I'm just going to document them now.

It is no secret that I think the Zoo has had too many Staffers that pull alleged full-time paychecks, while seemingly not having full-time work to do.  Who they hire and what they do shouldn't be of my concern, but that doesn't mean I don't have an opinion about it.  The reason I have an opinion about it is, the Keeper Staff continues to seem understaffed.  This is one department that should never be run thin.  This is an Animal Care Facility.  Those whose job it is to care for the Animals should never be pushed and stretched to limits, especially while nonAnimal Staff and suits, are being hired in excess.  

At Thursday's Meeting, Pace notes to the Commission that the Zoo is, "Back to pre-Covid Staffing levels throughout the Zoo".  I'll have to check with Keeper Staff on what they think about that.  What I think, is that there are too many positions that are unnecessarily filled or even existing.  The payroll needs to be tightened, at the very least until the Zoo gets a grip on finances.  That is (just) one a part of past mismanagement that should be addressed, not celebrated.  Maybe I'm misaligned in my thinking, but with my management background, and what I've witnessed within the Zoo, there seems to be logic that is more out of line.  When I see money seemingly being wasted, whether that's on gardens, art installations or excess payroll, and there are Animal Needs and other necessities not being attended to, I am going to have an opinion about it.  

I opened this can by saying, there are Staff who don't have enough to do, yet are pulling alleged full-time paychecks.  While I haven't seen as much to support this in recent times, I do see some.  I wasn't going to go any further on this, but since it's relevant, I will.  There are two Staffers, who I see one or both on every visit.  I don't know their job title, but they lead the VIP Tours, and otherwise seemingly walk around doing nothing.  Again this is nothing personal, I just look at it as wasted money.  Pay that could be funding projects at Animal enclosures, like the completion of the netting at Flamingos that has been unfinished for over six years.

Last week, I crossed paths with one of these Staffers.  I talk outloud to myself constantly, so as they approached, I said to myself something like, "here they are, doing nothing".  They heard me and said they wanted to say something to me.  I paused my stride but didn't break it.  They said, "My job description is to Wander the Zoo".

When I didn't respond, they said, I should look at them when they talk to me, and that it was rude that I didn't.  First, I am not obligated to have conversations with anyone.  No one is.  When you initiate conversation, whether in person, via phone, text, email, whatever, there is no guarantee of response.  Second, the literal concept of "wander", is doing nothing.  One dictionary notation of the meaning of Wander, is to move aimlessly.  A synonym is Dawdle, which means to waste time.  I don't mean to be a bitch, but my perception seems to be pretty on target.  How is this my bad?  Seems it's on the Zoo.  They should either eliminate this position, taper it's need down to weekends, and/or alter the job description to include initiating educating interaction with Visitors and monitoring bad visitor behavior, like people putting Our Animals in danger by hanging over the barriers.  That, would be beneficial to the Zoo and it's expenses.

The other thing to note from Pace's presentation graphics, there is a timeline notation for New Exhibits, which he expressed excitement for.  It reads, Madagascar (August 2025), Jaguar (2026-27), Panda (2026), Lion (2026-27).  

There is something that really bothered me about this, but that will be for another time.  Just want it noted now.   That said, for the purpose of this post, I am concentrated on the Panda and Lion dates.  

I have written extensively about the Panda Plan's effect to Our Big Cat area.  I'll include some links at the end. ... Initially the Panda Plan was infuriating because of the amount of money, and that nothing was ever given to the Orangutans, who continue to languish on the concrete islands of the ancient Triple Grotto exhibit.  Now, because the push for this seems imminent, the most upsetting thing is the destruction to the Lion House, Cat Grottos, and Displacing the Lions.  

You can see from this timeline, the Pandas are set to open before the Lions.  This begs an answer to the question, What is the plan for Our Lions while major construction is being done to their home for Pandas, before an alleged new home is built for them?

Are we going to lose Our Lions, in this Ridiculous,  Irresponsible and Insane Panda Chase?

Related posts: 

*What Will Happen If the Panda Plan Goes Through

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/05/what-will-happen-if-panda-plan-goes.html

*There's An Alternative To Ruining The Lion House For Pandas

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/05/theres-alternative-to-pandas-in-lion.html

*The Moral Crime Of Bringing Pandas To Our Zoo

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-moral-crime-of-bringing-pandas-to.html

Previous Post:

*RecPark Commissioner's Meeting 7.17.25 - UnPacking

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/07/recpark-commissioners-meeting-71725.html

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