Future Attendance/Revenue Driven Efforts From CEO, Conservation Presentation, & More

After the unfortunate trio of posts from last weekend, I expected the next post to be that Part Two of "What I Think Our Zoo Needs" from over a month ago.  While I do think it's worthy and a valid offering, I don't think it's something that is necessary to put forth at this point.  It would requires organizing text and photos, which I think is not going to be time well spent right now, since the Zoo hasn't even considered simple ideas in regards to fixing that dang perimeter fence.  How could any faith be imagined that any ideas for Animals would be taken into consideration? 

My thoughts about what Our Zoo Needs, range from doable to fantasy.  All requiring a range of funds, some that may be available, some that would require fundraising.  As I've taken in all that's currently going on at the Zoo, I do not see any large scale fundraising plans.  Something that in my opinion is needed to really start fixing Our Zoo.  I have seen efforts (that I'll mention), that are encouraging, but I'm talking large scale, and the rebuild on the Triple Grotto site is at the forefront on my mind.  What I have seen that is not encouraging, is the continued obsession with Pandas, and questionable hiring of another "manager type", when in my opinion there is a Need for more Keepers.  Keepers often seem overwhelmed, and there is clearly a need for early morning help, as often Animals are not on exhibit at opening.  I personally don't have an issue with that, because I'm there at least once a week, but that is something that will leave an impression on those who aren't.  Other recent job listings which seemed redundant were for two Fundraising positions.  These are no longer listed, so I have no idea if they've been filled or pulled.  While I obviously think there is a huge need for fundraising, at this point adding another six figure salary to the payroll doesn't seem logical.  There has to be some minds already there who can come up with some decent ideas.

In hindsight, I am not a fan of the last three posts.  I find them to have been a waste of my time and energy.  I apologize if you, the reader, felt the same way.  There were some notable points made, but on the whole, without re-reading, my feeling is most was rambling about un-noteworthy stuff, prompted by someone trying to create scandal.  Hopefully this post will more interesting.

Before writing last weekends posts, I viewed the video of the RecPark Full Commission Meeting from that Thursday (March 19), hoping for some insight into the sensational words of the Anti-Zoo Activists post.  There were none, but as mentioned above, there were some encouraging efforts in Zoo CEO Cassandra Costello's  presentation.  That will be the focus of this post. 

It bears repeating, as I have done so in other posts, that it would be welcomed by many if the Joint Zoo Committee Meetings were video taped as well.  When the Meetings moved from the Zoo to City Hall (and now possibly another location), it became a challenge for many of those interested to attend.  As well, the time was changed to a time that made Keepers unable attend.  Note that change came when Keepers were discouraged from attending.  The goings on at this Meeting should be available to all members of the public in a virtual viewing archive.  The Minutes taken have never been complete, and therefore not transparent to all interested, and in my opinion, have not satisfied the **City Sunshine Ordinance.  If teenagers can film stuff for tiktok, Zoo IT should be able to figure out how to film a half hour meeting, and make it available on the Zoo website.

In recent times I haven't kept up with the Full Commission or Joint Zoo Meeting documentation.  So, in addition to the March meeting, I have also viewed the video from the previous meeting in February.  There was an excellent presentation by Rochelle Stiles, Director of Field Conservation, on the Legacy of the Zoo's Conservation efforts. ... Viewable at the link below.  Choose Item 6 SFZoo.  It starts after the CEO's presentation.

https://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/player/clip/51836?view_id=91&redirect=true

CEO Costello's March 19 presentation included slides of recent events, and upcoming efforts she referred to as attendance and revenue driven.  She also talked about "Fun" events with the Animals, noted the reinstatement of the EBT Program (which happened because I emailed her my blog post about it), and highlighted some aspects of the Zoo App.  Adding that they "need more creative promotions and proposals".  Hence, I'll add in some of my ideas.

The first slide-cap that I'm sharing shows a few of the "Fun" Events.  Those who read my words regularly, know that I have expressed for a very long time, the Zoo's missed opportunities in not promoting the special Enrichment Toy fun for Birthdays, Awareness Days, and other Celebrations.  People like to see the Animals not only up, but having fun. This is a huge opportunity to build a Community for Our Zoo, something we don't have.  These fun events endear people to Our Animals, and endearing them creates care.  We need people to care, and when they care, they want to help.  Moving forward, to fix Our Zoo, we need all the help we can get.   

The Zoo needs to include people by letting them in on the fun.  I understand there are times, when Birthdays for example are subject to flexible times, and even days, but even posting to social media the day before, and noting time to be announced gives someone the opportunity to visit.   One of my ideas from a few years ago regarding time alerts, was to have people be able to receive push alerts via text.  Now that they have an app there might be a way to use that for real time notice.   During the last couple weeks I heard a PA announcement for the Wildlife Theater, and a Staff Radio announcement for the Bear Day activities. Maybe make use of those ways and use the Interpretative Guides to let visitors on grounds know.  There are ways both with advanced notice and same day alerting.  When they want media attention, media is given notice.  No reason they can't figure something out for visitors.  People are not happy with learning about secret parties after the event.  

The next graphic is from the Zoo App.  It shows the most visited locations in the Zoo.  I'm including this because, again for regular blog readers, you know I have been recently talking about the Triple Grotto site.  I am concerned that once the Chimpanzees are all transferred out, and the Orangutans move into the Chimp quarters, Triple Grotto (current Orangutan home) will sit there vacant with a fence around it for years.  I recently noted that there is seemingly no plan for fundraising for the rebuild on that site.  In my opinion that should be a top priority, as it is a main focal point in the Zoo, and we need to bring Chimpanzees back to Our Zoo as soon as possible.  You can see in this graphic, the most visited area of the Zoo is, the Lemur Cafe/Flamingos.   Hello, right where Triple Grotto is.  This is what I've been saying.  This site can not be left in ruin with a fence around it.  There needs to be a plan ready to execute as soon as it's vacated.  Unfortunately, the only big plan seems to be the fantasy chase for Pandas.

The next three graphics show a plan for an Art Installation at the corner of the overflow lot at Sloat and Skyline.  It's no secret I'm not a fan of continued spending on Art Installations (or Gardens), when there are other Needs, especially Animal related.  That said, this is being touted as a potential attendance driver, so we'll see.  At least it's a thought out plan that seemingly is part of an overall City-wide showcase. Considering that, I hope there is some City funding that will be available for this.   I was surprised by this location because of the City's alleged plan to meter the lot, which led me to assume the Zoo had no claim to the lot.  I had long thought the Zoo should use the lot, which is usually vacant, for Food Trucks, Farmer's Market, something they could generate a commission from.

I included the photo of the Zoo sign that is on the Great Highway Extension, because I had a thought last week about the relocation of it.  With the southbound extension closed and cluttered, and the northbound side slated to close at some point as well, the Zoo should be preparing for that.  I noted it in a post during the winter rains, when I once again thought about the foot of standing water at the lot exit onto the northbound extension.  Many years ago, I had parked in the lot, not knowing that when I left I'd have to drive through a foot of water.   That's not good for car engines.    That, and considering the eventual road closure, the Zoo should permanently use the Sloat lot entrance as an exit as well.   This is something I noted long ago, but never thought about what would happen to the sign once the road closed.  Not until I started writing this post.  Reviewing the graphics, maybe a good place for it would be at this corner, along with whatever statue(s) they commission for the site.  

The last notation in reference to this is a quote.  CEO Costello said this corner was "in desperate need of beautification".   So is the ancient crumbling perimeter fence that runs from the old entrance down close to the current entrance.  At some point in the near future, that fence needs to come down.

Below is the new adverts. The only notation I have about this is in regard to the Pole Banners.  Something I've said before, there should be pole banners for the Zoo in the Park.  Why has there never been any?  Again, fail on the RecPark for their continued ignore that the Zoo is in their Department!!   There should be at least a couple on the JFK Promenade and definitely at Bison.

The next three graphics are from a Summer Exhibition.  I love Dinosaurs, and know they are a popular draw, so I get this, though we have a few Dino's there already.   I'm assuming this will be more elaborate than just the statues (30 were mentioned), as it was noted that there would be a separate admission for this.   I did like the plan to have one peeking over the Sloat fence.   That said, even though probably a different location along Sloat, again I gotta say, that perimeter fence has got to come down.  It looks like it's been standing there since the Dinosaur age.

Last night I watched the trailer for the new JJ Abraham's movie opening in August, "The End Of Oak Street".  Dinosaur content sneak peek.  Maybe there's a tie-in promotion with that.  

As I watched this presentation, I thought about my idea from over a decade ago.  Like many other City Natives and long-timers, I love the Doggie Diner heads.   A City icon, with one of the original Dogs that was on the Diner's Sloat location, right outside the Zoo.  I have long thought it would be wonderful for the Zoo to give the three other remaining heads a permanent home.  I envisioned them displayed on the hill area of the old entrance, so they can be viewed but not accessible.  That area only if it's secure from Sloat, otherwise below more inside gates but within that old entrance area.   

Lastly, this graphic was shown, of our hospital team assessing the most recent Mountain Lion roaming our streets.  I share this because it relates to that Part Two post, as I have a Mountain Lion enclosure on my list of what I think the Zoo should do.  I have written about this before, as there are too many non-releasable Cubs that have been rehabbed locally by Oakland Zoo, and then sent to other Zoo's for permanent homes.  My fear is one day in the near future, there won't be any facilities left with space to offer homes to these orphans. I think there's a great need for a Native Wildlife Sanctuary in California to house primarily (because of their size) Mountain Lion orphans, and other rescued native species that are non-releasable.  That said, I would like to see Our Zoo one day be in the position to have an enclosure available for a Mountain Lion in need.  Maybe that's something the State can help fund. Thankfully, this Lion was able to be immediately returned to the wild after assessment.

Related Post:

*What I Think Our Zoo Needs - Part One

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2026/02/what-i-think-our-zoo-needs-part-one.html

**The San Francisco Sunshine Ordinance (1999) is a local law ensuring public access to city government meetings, records, and operations. It mandates that policy decisions are made openly and requires city boards, commissions, and agencies to operate transparently, with enforcement by the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force.

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I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget.  I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that.  Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags.  Does it help in searches, who knows.

#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety  , #SanFranciscoZooCEODirectorCassandraCostello , #FormerSanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #FormerSanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed , #SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie , #AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence, #Pandas , #Bison