This post is to provide the full text for readers who have been shutout by the Chronicle's paywall. I did it for a friend last night, but now reading comments on Nextdoor, it's affecting others. This is important for our Zoo-going public to read, so I'm sharing here.
All of you know there is a post with my reaction to this imminent. I started it last night, and about to get back to it when I decided to submit a Letter to the Editor, regarding this article. They have never published my words, but I just gave it another go. It's a two hundred word limit, you know my actual post will be longer! That said, consider this a preview.
"I am a weekly visitor to Our Zoo. Losing Our Lions is Heartbreaking. Evicting them from The Lion House is a moral crime. This is a Panda Plan agenda. The reason given is not logical, it's hypothetical. These aging concerns may never become an issue. Realistically the Zoo could close down before that happens. I believe if there was no plan to house Pandas in the Lion House, the Lions would not be leaving. If health necessity is truly dictating this move and is 100% only factor, then Why isn't the Zoo acquiring another pair of Lions, and Tiger, for the years empty yard, to Keep Big Cats in Our Zoo? In my opinion, it's because they are pushing their Panda Plan, regardless of how it affects current Animals, Public Fan Favorites, and Financial Struggles. Everything is seemingly on hold while they wait for Pandas that may never come. Every other Big Cat in the last ninety-three years, that lived out their life at Our Zoo, did so without being transferred out. Adjustments were made. Only difference now the Zoo no money, and future funds are seemingly for Pandas only. Keep Our Lions!"
There are highlighted portions in the article text posted here, as those notations I made are what I want to expand on in my reaction post. So, leaving as is.
SF Chronicle 5.27.26
Last two lions to leave San Francisco Zoo
A lion in Cat Kingdom at San Francisco Zoo. The lion enclosure is proposed home for panda exhibit and the lions are expected to be transferred to another zoo.
The long tradition of lions roaring at the San Francisco Zoo, sometimes heard by neighbors in the Outer Sunset, will come to an end when the last two big cats are transferred out, as soon as a new home can be found.
The lion house, built in 1935, is expected to be remodeled as a home for two giant pandas which the zoo hopes to get from China. Those bears were originally expected to arrive last month but the deal has stalled.
Though the plan to bring pandas to San Francisco could still fall through, zoo management has made the decision not to upgrade the lion house to meet the needs of its aging residents: Marvella, an 11-year-old female that arrived from St. Louis in 2023 and Jasiri, a 10-year-old male born at the San Francisco Zoo. Lions under human care normally live 15 years. Jasiri suffers from a congenital spinal condition that has required ongoing physical therapy and is one reason for the move.
“Both lions remain agile and mobile, but as they age, they are starting to experience some mobility challenges,“ said Dr. Nick Dannemiller, one of the Zoo’s clinical veterinarians. “Even in old age, we want animals to have choice, comfort and control over their lives, and the current enclosure presents physical challenges, particularly for Jasiri, given his congenital spinal condition.”
The lion house was upgraded in 2023, but there is concern that the floor surface is not flat enough and that the lions would have difficulty climbing out of the moat as they age.
“We have worked extensively to identify another area of the zoo to place them,” said Eric Krussman, executive vice president of animal care. “It is not feasible to build a new habitat for lions at this time, and other existing areas cannot adequately house big cats safely and securely.”
An accredited zoo that will take the two lions has not been identified, but officials hope they can be transferred together as a bonded pair. Not counting a few snow leopards, which are smaller and do not roar, the lions are the last big cats at the zoo and will be missed.
“This is an extremely difficult decision, as our lions are beloved by their caretakers, our staff and the public,” said Cassandra Costello, CEO of the zoo.
Lions have a long history at the zoo, going back to its opening in 1929. In the 1930s, when the grotto opened, it was revolutionary: Instead of cages, it had 12-foot moats, which offered visitors unobstructed views of the animals while also keeping the public safe.
Neighbors may miss the roar of the lions. Kids at Holy Name of Jesus Parish school have long maintained they could hear them roar from the playground. Former state senator Quentin Kopp once said that he enjoyed hearing the roar of the lions from his home in the Parkside District.
There has never been an escape by lions although Tatiana, a 350-pound Siberian tiger famously climbed the tiger enclosure wall and fatally attacked a 17-year-old zoo visitor and injured two others on Christmas Day 2007. Tatiana was shot and killed by zoo officials.
Despite the anticipated loss of the lions, the zoo is moving forward with other projects meant to bring in more visitors. In late June, a dinosaur exhibit, featuring life-sized animatronic figures will open. Entry fees are slated to jump by 8% in July, or $3 more for adults, to reduce an operating deficit. It's the first increase since 2023.
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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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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 , #Gorillas , #Lemurs
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