The New Co-CEO's First Month - Changes? Or Lack Of?

I intended to publish this post last Sunday, as Monday (September 1st), was the one month mark, of new management at Our Zoo.   Never got to proof reading, so of course I missed that goal.  It's ok, timely would have been good, but it's all still relevant, unless there was some major developments last week, when I wasn't there.  

As we head into the 2nd month, I think it's important for the new team to express what their plan is moving forward.  I know that it's not gonna be a huge game plan, but in my opinion, there should have already been initial things put in place, and in motion, that would better Our Zoo, and I have yet to see or hear about anything, except the welcomed restoring of Our Lion Fountain.  A big Thank You those responsible for that!

Some of the things on my list, are easily spotted on a walk-thru the Zoo.  Some of them, maybe comes from the experience of many years of fails.  These initial things, are things in my column of costing zero to little.  Little things that I think make a huge difference.  

I'm not going to bring up Animal Needs, and or Animals Needed, because that's a bigger part of Our Zoo's future.  As a huge part of that, I will say once again, the Panda Plan needs to be put to rest.  

I listened to the new COO/Interim CEO Cassandra Costello and CFO/Interim CEO Jeff Pace, during their first joint appearance before the RecPark Full Commission Meeting, Costello's first as a representative of the Zoo.  Not one mention of where the intention regarding the Panda Plan stands.  This is something that has been hovering since April 2024.  Something that is controversial.  Something that no logical person wants.  We all want to know, What current management's stance is on this.  In my opinion Our Zoo can not fully move forward into a thriving future with the burden and destruction that comes with acquiring Pandas.  There needs to be a final decision on this in the near future.

The video to the RecPark Meeting will be linked at the end.  I'm glad I remembered it on the day it took place (August 21st), as I've been anxiously interested to hearing words from them, in hopes there is some promising insight for the future of Our Zoo.

Aside from there being no word on shelving the Panda Plan, or anything else to satisfy my interest in regards to a plan for the future, or a morsel about changes, I took no issue with what was presented.  I did feel that Jeff Pace seemed alittle less confident than I would have hoped.  This was the first time I've heard Cassandra Costello speak.  I was glad to hear that as a native the Zoo has been a part of her young life, as well her children's.  I hope that means she brings with her some awareness to it's needs, specifically Our Orangutans.  I don't expect everyone to be as hypersensitive to everything as I am, as I have a long history of awareness, but I expect more people to be aware of issues, and to execute their fixes with haste.  Like something as simple as expediting the sign at Snow Leopards for example.  That is why I previously wrote that CFO Pace, should have, and hopefully did come into this position with a game plan.  I now also think if Costello has had the connection to Our Zoo she portrayed, she should have one as well.

In recent Zoo Newsletters, three things have happened, the introduction of Costello and Pace as Interim CEOs, and promotion for the upcoming ZooFest, and the delayed announcement of the new Gorilla Cecil's arrival.

I appreciate the brief introductions, but as someone who lived through seventeen years of mismanagement, I want more.  I want to hear more from Costello as she was brought on in what I interpret as a role top management role.  So, I am looking to her to fix Our Zoo.  The introduction indicated her initiative to engaging with staff, which if maneuvered optimally, will be a great asset.  I think her introduction should have extended to members of the public.  Many of us have lived through the Peterson years with upset and frustration.  I personally would like to hear some hope for Our Zoo.  I would like to hear what changes are being made.  I would like to hear what fixes are getting attention.  

An interview with the Chronicle should have been sought after the last year and a half of them blasting Our Zoo, they should at least give equal time to it's healing and future.  I would also like to have heard a couple updates in this past first month about a changes.  Those I know, have voiced the same as I did my first visit after the former Director departed.  I wrote in a post that there was a different vibe, a noticeable change in morale.  The majority of Staff I know have all said the same thing, changes are coming.  One enthusiastically saying, "be patient", one saying, "I'll believe it when I see it".  So, I am obviously not the only one waiting to see actual changes, or at least hear about a plan to implement changes.

I speak of hoping these Co-CEOs have plans in motion, even at the idea stage, that will see a better future for Our Zoo.  That said, I would have also liked to see easy fixes like those I've mentioned in previous posts, to have already had attention.  Our Zoo grounds should not have any visual fails right now, and unfortunately, as I walk the grounds, I'm still seeing issues.  Attention to those small issues, makes a difference.  

Before wrapping this up, I do want to circle back to two other earlier mentions, ZooFest and Cecil.

I took notice when ZooFest was announced via the Zoo's email Newsletter.  It has been a long-standing fail in my opinion, that this event is so exclusive.  It's open to everyone, but realistically is priced for a certain crowd.  While I understand the need for that, it seems deep pocket Donors continue to be a narrow-minded focus.  The previous administration, found no value in entertaining the many other fundraising ideas put forth to them, hopefully that will be one of the changes in the future.  

Another change I hope to see is a dedication to covering events.  I don't think there is a full understanding of the importance of this.  I'm already covering this in a future post in draft, but want to note it timely here.  In recent posts I called attention to World Orangutan Day and Lion Jasiri's Birthday, both event fails.  Since the day Cecil arrived, I have thought the Zoo has really done a disservice to themselves, and the fans of both SFZoo and Louisville Zoo, by not covering Cecil's journey here.  There has been one video of the Curators describing his transport, but no visual documentation.  The only other mention was in the Newsletter over two weeks after his arrival, noting quarantine and introductions.  Our Gorillas are popular and many are anxious for content on our newest family member.  I can also imagine Cecil's fans from Louisville are missing him and curious for updates.  It seems some kind of visual updates could have been made in the four weeks he's been here.  Big missed opportunity in my opinion.  Same fail as when so many of our beloved Animal Friends were taken off exhibit without any notice, and absolutely no further mention or updates about them.  Not only insensitive to those of us who cared about them, but bizarre to just erase them.

The Zoo needs to start doing better to keep the small amount who care Engaged and most important, Endeared.

Related Link:

*San Francisco Recreation and Park Full Commission Meeting

https://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/player/clip/50614?view_id=91&redirect=true

Link above is to the Video.  Launch and allow Roll Call to start, then choose, Item 6 San Francisco Zoo.