Zoo Director Eyeing City Community Funds For Pandas, But Never Sought For Orangutans?

After my post last night, my plan was only one more post before the end of the year.  It's already in draft.  I started this morning with the goal of reading only.  I toyed with not even catching up on all the Zoo fodder, but I figured after near seventeen years, I better not miss any details.  I still feel like everything that can be said about mismanagement and a case for change has been said, and repeatedly by me.  It just needs someone to listen with a logical mind, and act on the best interest of Our Zoo.  

That said, I've now finished the Chronicle article from yesterday, and of course I got words.  I'll copy the article text I want to comment on.  If you want to read the full article...

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/zoo-panda-funding-19974449.php

> In the report, $9 million is due to come from SSA Group in donations and investments, while the zoo plans to receive $15 million via the San Francisco Community Investment Fund. <

THE details above are the single reason I decided to proceed with this post.  It says all you need to know about the character of Zoo Director Tanya Peterson.  She is morally incapable of caring about anything that is not her personal Want.

If Director Peterson can tap into a City Community Fund for an Animal that doesn't even live at the Zoo, then Why didn't she do so to provide an appropriate home for the Orangutans? 

Stop The Panda Plan and if that resource is available, use it to build the Orangutans the enclosure they Need and deserve.

> The budget also includes $10 million in “conservation gifts” to China ... <

This is just insanity.  How is anyone taking the Panda Plan seriously?  People have lost all logical sense.  

> SSA Group’s (the company that runs the Zoo's concessions) projection that a panda exhibit could bring the zoo $320 million in extra revenue over 10 years

“I don’t know where they’re coming up with that forecast” of $320 million, said Snyder, who  previously worked in Zoo Atlanta’s panda program.

Snyder said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which administers permits to zoos that want to import giant pandas into the United States, requires zoos to provide annual financial reports and does not allow them to keep any profit from pandas. Instead, she said, it expects extra money to go to back to panda conservation in China.<

So, no extra revenue brought in by Pandas benefits the Zoo?  THEN what is the draw of this outrageous and expensive pursuit of Pandas?

> The report answers a question... Where will the zoo get bamboo the bears depend on for 90% of their diets in the wild? <

Their answer mentions a multi-sourcing plan, including their own 5-acre bamboo garden?  Never heard of such.  Maybe it's another one of Peterson's Illusions.  So yea, very curious about this, as it's allegedly a struggle sourcing enough bamboo for the Red Pandas.

> Joel Parrott, former director of the Oakland Zoo spent a decade on a Panda deal for Oakland that never came to fruition. Parrott said that if the San Francisco deal is “at the bureaucratic staff level, it’s meaningless. It can all be undone by one incident with China.” <

I read that Oakland spent a million building an enclosure.  I have thought about the waste of funds, though not in that exact way, but similar and relevant to Parrott's "undone" word.  China can repossess the Pandas at any time, as well the Zoo could have to return them when they can't afford them.  The amount of money involved is a huge red flag, that should be heeded.  Money of those amounts should be used for current Animal and Zoo Needs.

Zoo Deputy Director is quoted, "...we expect the incoming mayor of San Francisco to maintain support for the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, regardless of the ultimate decision on the giant pandas.”

A bit presumptuous.  Maybe the new Mayor doesn't own rose colored glasses.

Directly Related Post:

*Zoo Director Plans To Kick The Lions Out Of The Historic LION HOUSE?

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/12/zoo-director-plans-to-kick-lions-out-of.html

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#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety , #SanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #SanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed , #SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie

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