Zoo Director Should Be Put On Leave Of Absence Until Audit Compliance

After yesterday's post, "Officials Would Rather Withhold Zoo Funds Instead Of Just Removing Director", I literally said out loud, "I'm Done!".  I felt, with that post, I had done all I could, as far as documenting the saga in this blog.  I felt Free.

A friend who is invested in the wellness of Our Zoo, messaged me a bit ago after reading that post,... 

"They shouldn't keep the money from animals. The only money I would like to see withheld is Tanya salary."

They are right, and it is something I hadn't thought of when writing the post, even though it was in the same vein as my previous thought.  In a post dated December 13, 2024, I wrote...

"So, the audit.  Reported to take up to a year to complete, I guess that means another year of Our Zoo languishing under Director Peterson and her sucking $320,000+ from the payroll, for allegedly working less than part-time, as well as digging a deeper grave for Our Zoo.

Tanya Peterson should at the very least, be removed as Zoo Director, during the duration of the audit."

I had yet to send an email, along with my post to City Officials, including Supervisor Melgar, who's idea it is to withhold the Zoo's City Funding.  I have just now sent those emails, with the following notation...

"At the very least, Tanya Peterson should be put on Leave of Absence, until compliance is achieved.  The CFO and Board should be able to comply in her absence.  There is already a Team of management level Staff, who have come forward who can run the Zoo."

In my opinion, while we wait for the Mayor and the RecPark Officials to grow some Balls and Fire Tanya Peterson, putting her on immediate Leave of Absence, seems like the obvious step.  Unless of course the Mayor and RecPark Officials can't even do that.

The Animals daily needs and the Zoo's operation, shouldn't be threatened, because this woman won't play ball.

Related Post:

*Officials Would Rather Withhold Zoo Funds Instead Of Just Removing Director

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/06/officials-would-rather-withhold-zoo.html

*Consider Contacting City Officials

daniel.lurie@sfgov.org

recpark.commission@sfgov.org

myrna.melgar@sfgov.org

connie.chan@sfgov.org

board.of.supervisors@sfgov.org

Officials Would Rather Withhold Zoo Funds Instead Of Just Removing Director

In my previous post I noted that I was particularly bothered by a few recent statements made by District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar, whose District includes Our San Francisco Zoo.  I referred to one of the statements in that post.  This post will highlight the other two.

A Chronicle article this week, contained these quotes...

"During the board’s meeting Tuesday, Melgar said she had requested that Supervisor Connie Chan, who chairs the Budget and Finance Committee, make a motion to temporarily put the zoo’s $4 million of annual city funds in reserve until it complies with the audit."

“We will hopefully be able to support this organization, as they become successful, transparent and accountable,” Melgar said.

"Chan plans to ask for the money to be put in reserve during the budget hearing for the recreation and park department next week, her office said."

This really pisses me off.  Shame on Supervisors Myrna Melgar and Connie Chan for even the notion of withholding funds to the Zoo.  

They aren't hurting Director Tanya Peterson, they are hurting the innocent Animals there who have daily needs.

You want to use that tactic, you should think about the root of this whole Zoo horror show and rip the root out.  The City Supervisors should instead urge the Mayor and/or RecPark to assert their Authority and Remove Tanya Peterson as Director of Our Zoo.  

I myself have made notes for blog posts with the words, No more money for Tanya.   But, that means, she should not be able to use any funds without oversight.  Not that there should be no funds.  

The Zoo is already struggling financially because  Peterson has done little to no fundraising during her seventeen years grossly mismanaging Our Zoo, outside of courting Society Members during ZooFest and for other Wants, like Pandas.  

A friend of mine who is also a Zoo Member, emailed me after reading that Chronicle article...

"Such a shame that everything is a mess with the Zoo and the potential funding cuts would be so detrimental to the Animals, who are innocent in all of this. The fact that she is willing to risk the funding due to her mismanagement is alarming. Definitely not putting the Animals first."

It is mind-blowing that City Officials would entertain an idea that could cause potential suffering to the Animals.  Haven't they suffered enough?  Isn't the goal in this whole saga to make the Zoo better? 

Enough is enough.  

Why is everyone holding on to Tanya Peterson at all costs?

Hasn't she caused enough problems?  

Hasn't she kept Our Zoo in the media, under a bad light, long enough?

Hasn't she made Fools of all of you, throughout every turn, by ignoring to be held accountable for claims against her, and now for noncompliance?

Mayor Daniel Lurie, YOU have the Authority ... RecPark Commissioners, YOU have the Authority... Park GM Phil Ginsburg, YOU have the Authority

YOU Need to Fire Tanya, and End This Madness.

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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 , #SanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #SanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed ,

#SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie

#AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence, #Pandas #Bison

There Is No Mistaking Who Has The Authority To Remove The Zoo's Director

I've been hitting this blog hard the last week, in an effort to document as much information and of course personal thoughts, dealing with the Removal of Tanya Peterson as Director of Our Zoo.  This effort is both for awareness and to send to City Officials, as I wrap-up things here for the most part.

I was particularly bothered by a few recent statements made by District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar, whose District includes Our San Francisco Zoo.  I'll make two separate posts in response to those statements, this one and the next one.

In a recent news article, Melgar told KQED, “Whether or not she should continue, that’s up to the board, that’s the way things are." ...  "She", being Director Peterson.

Uhh, No, That is NOT the way things are. ... That is certainly the way things are seemingly being allowed to play out by The Mayor and RecPark, but that is not the way the power is distributed.  To rehash, the Zoological Society Board, along with Director Peterson are Zoo Management, not Zoo Owners.  The City of San Francisco owns Our Zoo, and Authority lies with the Mayor and RecPark, regardless of whether they act on their responsibility.

Melgar, should better know who has Authority over Our Zoo. Making a statement like that is not only erroneous, but misleading to public awareness of the situation at hand.   In my opinion, not knowing also shows, like too many other Officials, a lack of care and/or interest in Our Zoo.

I have obviously long understood the of the Pyramid of Power involving Our Zoo.  Last Fall I knew things would ramp-up where Tanya and the Zoo Board were concerned, so I decided to contact the Board of Supervisors for confirming clarification, specifically regarding the Mayor.  After many news articles last year, I chose to email then President of the Board of Supervisors, Aaron Peskin, who stood out in articles making statements about the Zoo. This is a screencap of the correspondence.   

You can see, the RecPark is not only tasked with being an Oversight entity, it is the leading Authority Power along with the Mayor, over Our Zoo.   I knew RecPark had Authority over the Zoological Society, but I think all the news articles had quotes from Supervisors, so I considered the BOS might play a larger role.  I think that threw me off in where they were in pecking order in reference to Removing the Director, which is why I didn't include them in my query seeking confirmation on who had the ultimate Authority.   

As I wind down my efforts in this saga, this might be my last post about how San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and the Recreation and Park Department, need to step-in and Do The Right Thing for Our Zoo.

The Mayor, RecPark Manager Phil Ginsburg, and Park Commissioners need to Recognize and Act on their Responsibility to the Betterment and Wellness of Our Zoo.

I have sent many letters to these entities.  There is not much more I can do.   Anyone reading this who is moved to, should be a Voice for Our Zoo, and send a letter to them at the email addresses below.  If you want to be anonymous, print out a letter and post mail it.

Related Posts:

See All Previous going back last couple weeks at least.

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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 , #SanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #SanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed ,

#SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie

#AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence, #Pandas #Bison

What Does The Mayor Have To Say? - So Far Absolutely Nothing!

Will San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie stay silent on what's going on with Our Zoo forever?  

His silence is letting down the Animals that call Our Zoo home, and Our Zoo as a historic City icon.  His lack of care and action, is denying this beloved facility the betterment for Animal Wellness and Our Zoo's future.

It's both disturbing and suspicious, the Mayor has not said anything about the Zoo, which is owned by the City of San Francisco, since he told the San Francisco Chronicle in December that while he was a “big supporter” of the giant pandas coming, he was still “assessing what it will take to realize this opportunity.”  As of February, his office told the SF Examiner, nothing had changed.

Not only is Peterson's future at the Zoo not a given, so is bringing Pandas.  While Peterson can still spin the Panda illusion, it seemingly has to have The Mayor's approval.  Something I somehow missed.

A search result had me circling back to that Examiner article from February that states, Peterson told the Chronicle earlier this year she had not signed the panda agreement and needed the support of Lurie to do so. 

So, not only has Mayor Daniel Lurie been unresponsive to his responsibility as the highest power Authority over the Zoological Society in regards to the most recent issue on the table, Tanya Peterson's Removal as Director, but with everything that has come to light, he is seemingly on the fence about Pandas.  But, first things first.  Tanya must go.

It's been exactly two weeks since the Zoological Society Board was unable to reach a unanimous decision on Peterson's fate as Director.  In my opinion Mayor Lurie is negligent in his duty to Our Zoo.  As a City owned facility, he should at the every least have made a statement.  With news of Board member resignations, on top of everything else, he should have made an executive decision to Remove Peterson.  By not doing so, he is not listening to Staff, and not acknowledging that Our Zoo is desperate for better management and leadership.  

In my post of May 23, the day the news of the Boards impasse was reported, I wrote several posts.  One directed at the Mayor, in which I said,... 

"Mayor Lurie needs to wake-up and do something to HELP Our Zoo."

The decision to Remove Tanya Peterson as Director of Our Zoo, needs to be made.  Obviously the RecPark are failing to even broach the subject, even though it's their Department that is tasked by the Office of the Mayor with Zoo Oversight.

The Mayor needs to act.  We are all waiting for Daniel Lurie to throw Our Zoo a Life-line. 

How much longer do we have to wait?

How much more evidence does Mayor Lurie need?

Related Post:

*Let's Not Forget Mayor Lurie Has Ignored Our Zoo - Email Him

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/05/lets-not-forget-mayor-lurie-has-ignored.html

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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 , #SanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #SanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed ,
#SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie
#AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence, #Pandas #Bison

Zoo Director Continues To Make Fools Of City Officials

Another day, another article.  

Last evening I was exhausted.  I sat down, turned on my tablet and a friend had sent me an email with the new article.  

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/san-francisco-auditors-blast-uncooperative-20359328.php

I read it, except for the fourteen page document.  Made some notes with the intention of making a short post, but dozed off before that happened.

I was told over a month ago that Tanya (Peterson, Zoo Director) was refusing to hand over all the necessary documents requested by the Auditors. It's now being made public, with specific details outlined in this article.  

I ended up reading the fourteen page document at 2a.  I still have my list for the Audit Team in draft.   Unfortunately I learned that some things on it would be considered "out of the scope" time wise.   The one thing on my list that I've posted about many times, and will never let go of, is questioning, What happened to the $250,000 donation that came with the Squirrel Monkeys when they arrived? That money was specifically for a home to be built for this group that was retired from Laboratory use.  Shameful that never happened. It was probably misappropriated and used to build Tanya's tiki hut above Mandrills, while some of the Squirrel Monkeys ended up being housed in a concrete room with no outdoor access.  That is not the retirement home they were promised.  It's Heartbreaking and Disgusting.

Among the documents, this was the stand-out...

This clearly shows how Tanya has completely disregarded Staff concerns from day one of her seventeen years at the helm of Our Zoo.  Especially concerning is that the Staff referenced were most likely Animal Care Staff.   This also shows that the Joint Zoo Committee Meeting Minutes are severely lacking in documentation.   

I have experienced myself and Staffers speak at Meetings, only to not have our words entered into the Minutes. I have repeatedly requested the RecPark to either include the Joint Zoo Meeting in their video recorded programming, or at the very least an audio version of the entire Meeting.  This has not happened.   There is also no reason the Zoo itself cannot record the Meetings either video or audio.  There are many Members of the Public, and Staff Members who can not make the Meetings, and should be allowed access to the proceedings.  Maybe the RecPark can mandate that of the Zoo.

In addition to detailed Audit requests, an auditor was quoted. I condensed it a bit but still included quotations as wording is still intact.

"In a meeting between the audit team and Peterson at the zoo, which was supposed to be a time for the auditors to go over the process and detail which documents they needed, Peterson, disregarded our meeting agenda and provided a lengthy history of the zoo.  After over 90 minutes, I interjected so that we could discuss our agenda items at which point she informed us that zoo management would not be cooperating with the audit until further notice."

This scene is not surprising.  Tanya manipulates situations and conversations with illusion and/or deflection, to create her own narrative or avoid it, depending on the outcome she wants.  I've come to realize she's basically a con-artist.

My take away is much like I noted in my last post regarding Monday's article, "Zoo Director Running Circles Around City Officials".  

City Officials with Authority to Remove Tanya as Director, are allowing her to make Fools of them.  

She has not altered her behavior at all.  She boldly continues to do whatever she wants, with NO repercussions.  With each day, she is allowed to remain in position, she adds another notch in her win belt.

How much more definace and destruction will the RecPark Commissioners, Park Manager Phil Ginsburg, and City Mayor Daniel Lurie allow from her?

Related Post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/06/zoo-director-running-circles-around.html

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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:

*Zoo Director Running Circles Around City Officials  

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 , #SanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #SanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed ,

#SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie

#AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence, #Pandas #Bison

Zoo Director Running Circles Around City Officials

It's funny, after reading this afternoon's article, I thought to myself, "How Embarrassing".  It wasn't until I fetched the link, did I even realize similar was an included quote by Park Commissioner Larry Mazzola.  

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/zoo-city-criticism-20354057.php

Instead of spending hours on a blog post, I decided on another video.  Bat it out quick and be done with it. All I could focus on were the rants of Mazzola and Supervisor Melgar, and wonder, What kind of game is the RecPark is playing (by not Removing Tanya Peterson as Director of Our Zoo)?

In my opinion, it's becoming increasingly disappointing and embarrassing, that neither of the two City entities with the Authority to Remove Peterson, have yet to. Other than Mazzola no other RecPark Commissioners, Park Manager Phil Ginsburg, or Mayor Daniel Lurie, have gotten involved in this matter, or any other involving Our Zoo.  Why is that? 

https://youtu.be/a965ThqrKeg

This Past Week - Why I'll Soon Be Done

I mentioned in my post on Thursday...

"I made some notes for a post detailing what happened, that I'm thinking about posting next week.  They're instances, words, and revelations from Staff on Tuesday that really pissed me off.  Wednesday presented disappointment."

As the weekend closes, I've decided to put my feelings into something, hopefully not too long, and post today, instead of next week.  I've had four days since my last Zoo visit, and I feel very confident in how I want to proceed in my Zoo life.  What I experienced last week really made me think about the time, energy and effort I have put into my care for my Animal Friends and Our Zoo.  My care runs deep, probably deeper than any one person outside the walls.  I have a very strong character, and I've used my voice to try to get change for better lives for the Animals I become endeared to, and for a better future for Our Zoo.  I did that for over fifteen years.  I'd do it for the rest of my life, if I felt me and my efforts were supported, and most of all, appreciated.  After this past week, I don't completely feel that.   I know there are those who do, so I'm not referring to them.  Coincidentally, this came up in a Facebook memory Wednesday night.

I don't look for accolades, that is not who I am, or the reason I have used my voice.  I do it for the Animals and Our Zoo.  Staff that works there benefits.  Though this past week, there were two separate events with Staff, that left me with disgust and disappointment, respectively.  There have been past instances, interactions with Staff that have disgusted me before, but time was different and at this moment in time, I walked away knowing I've had enough of this bullshit.

On Tuesday, as I approached Black Bears, saw a man hanging their toddler over the barrier.  As I walked by, I said, "Please don't have your kid over the barrier."  The woman felt the need to spew sarcasm.  Next to them was a Keeper, who ignored their offense.  Still walking by, I said to the Keeper, Can you take care of this?   And I continued on.  I stopped to watch the Bears from another side.  I saw the Keeper talk to them, they removed their kid, and remained there.  When I started moving away from the enclosure, the Keeper passed by me, as did the couple.  The woman, felt the need to tell me to Fuck Off and give me the finger.  I said, oh so you're swearing at me now.  That's against Zoo Rules, I'll alert Security.  I had 5% battery left, so had my phone off.  I asked Security at the train crossing (who the Zoo pays to sit there all day for over six months because they can't bother to fix the arm), to call Security to meet me.  When I met up with Security, I did find it odd that two guards, a two front of house Staff showed up.  I explained what happened, and said I'd ID them.  They did not want me to ID them, and proceeded to go in a direction away from where the offenders were headed.  One of the Staffers, said they would take care of it and tried to dismiss me, by saying I "should go enjoy my day".  I expressed that I wanted them thrown out, per the Zoo Rules, noting they never do anything to offenders.  They said they can't throw everyone out.   Again I was met with, go enjoy my day, with the addition of, " you need to calm down".   I said I was calm.  Why people with strong character, and confident words are always seen as something more than succinct and direct, is curious.  Not to be pompous, but if they think I wasn't calm, their heads would spin if they saw me full throttle.  This go-round of words ended with this Staffer who I've known and been friendly with for well over ten years, walking to the playground with me to look for these offenders.  I expressed how I hardly call things in because nothing ever gets done and was met with her saying, "You instigate things".  I said, "That is not true and that was the wrong thing to say to me."  There was silence as we walked.  I was really disgusted, and repeated about it being the wrong thing to say to me.  She tried to take-it back and I said I didn't accept that.  I said, "You have known me a very long-time..." She said, "I have always enjoyed our conversations."  I said, "Well that ends now."  While walking, she got a call over the radio saying, "I think they just left."

Before the week was over, it came to my attention that the offender couple interacted with a Staffer and was heard referring to me as "Crazy Kim".  So obviously, a Staffer they spoke to referenced me in that way.  So many things wrong with that.  I'm a big girl and not one day in my life have I ever cared what anyone has thought of me, or says about me.  That's on other people.  That said, if they had called me an asshole, or bitch, that's one thing, but in this current social climate, referring to someone using mental health words is really frowned upon, and possibly libel.  

I've identified possibility two Staffers it could have been, but I really think it's the one of them I've never even spoken to before, and only seen half a dozen times.  For a Staffer to repeat that to a member of the public, is another level of disgusting, and so unprofessional.  For someone who doesn't even know me, they're just a really shitty person.

Being this detailed is purely for documentation.  That said, apparently trying to prevent a situation where one of Our Animals could get a bullet in the head (because that's what happens if someone ends up in a Code Red Animal enclosure), makes you "crazy".  And since no one cared that this woman told me to Fuck Off, I guess it's ok that I tell anyone on Staff who has called me Crazy, they can Fuck Off.

There are Staffers who I genuinely like.  I will still talk to them, but the mass friendliness ended that day.

Now for the Disappointment.  In an effort to help Our Zoo, I asked something of some Staff I know.  I was actually surprised at the lack of enthusiasm.  I came away feeling like they think I'm asking them to help me.  Not sure who people think I'm doing all this for, because it's not for myself.  I've tried to help with many things for over fifteen years, to the detriment of my own well-being too much of the time.  That all ends now as well.

Just before the week started, I put something in motion that could help the Zoo.   If that moves forward, I will do what is needed for that to be successful.   After that, I'm done with my efforts as they have been for the last fifteen years.  So the next couple weeks will dictate my timeline for letting go of Zoo stuff.  Until then, I will concentrate on the current effort to get the Mayor and Park Manager to recognize and act on their responsibility to the Wellness and Betterment of Our Zoo.  

I have already started distancing myself.  Changes are already in place.  This weekend, I deleted all my Zoo notes, blog photos and posts in draft.  I have decided not to further engage with Staff about the whole management situation.  I dont need to know anything more.  I can't care that deeply anymore, and certainly not after my experiences last week.

My visits will be to feed my Soul, not burden it. Visiting only for the joy seeing my Zoo Friends gives me.  The Animals will always be a part of my life.  If I can help one of them, I will, but everything else, not my problem.

And, if anything ever happens to one of Our Animals, as a result of someone hanging over a barrier, believe me, full-throttle Crazy Kim will come out to play.

Board Bias - City Officials Must Assert Their Authority

Yesterday's article from KQED contains some further insight, and a disturbing choice of words in their title.

https://www.kqed.org/news/12042148/in-power-struggle-at-sf-zoo-embattled-ceo-appears-to-come-out-on-top

No one wants to read these words. No one wants Tanya Peterson to "Come Out on Top".  To continue her Destruction of Our Zoo and her Management Dictatorship.

Our Zoo has been ignored by those tasked with watching over it for too long, that must change.

Early last week, I was told that another Board Member had resigned.  That made two in less than a week.  Then the news Thursday that the Board Chair resigned.  Now this KQED article reports a total of five have left.

The failure to reach a unanimous decision in recent Board meetings to vote on the Removal of Tanya Person as Director of Our Zoo, was directly related to pro-Peterson Members.  

It is well-known that not only are there Board Members who are friends with Peterson, there are Board Members who were allegedly given seats on the Board, by Peterson.

That said, it is my opinion that any seat vacancies, and now there are reportedly at least five, will be filled by additional Peterson appointees.  

I consider this Bias and a Corruption that will continue indefinitely if Recreation and Park Department Manager Phil Ginsburg and/or The City Mayor Daniel Lurie, do not step-in and assert their Authority over the Zoological Society, in multiple ways, but specifically, immediately and foremost, to Remove Tanya Peterson as Director of Our Zoo.

Corey Hallman of Teamsters Local Union 856, who represents over a hundred Zoo employees, told KQED,...

“I’m shocked at how dysfunctional the board is and how they’ve ignored union members [and] nonunion members employed at the zoo [and] community members and seem to just keep moving forward as if there’s no problem.”

I wrote a blog post last year dated May 28th, titled, "ZooFest Letdown - Apparently Party Goers Think The Zoo Is Doing Just Fine".  A year plus later, and the Zoological Society Board and Members are still patting themselves on the back, thinking they are doing a bang-up job managing Our Zoo.  The only thing they are doing a bang-up job at, is supporting Tanya Peterson's Mass Mismanagement, and Animal Welfare Offenses, among so much more.  Here are two paragraphs from that post...

> So, ZooFest, aka party for people who think they are doing a bang-up job in relation to their respective authority related positions within the Zoo system.   Late Tuesday (5.21) night, ZooFest photos came my way (viewable at drewaltizer.com). I scanned through all 400+ and towards the end I got to the presentation part of the event.  The fest theme this year was in celebration of the last Zoological Board Chair, Ed Poole.  Let me first say, when I heard this theme choice, I thought it odd.  I admit I don't know much about the guy, but what I know, is like the two before him, that cover the time frame I've been monitoring the Zoo, he seemed to do a whole lot of nothing in regard to making sure there was oversight in Director Tanya Peterson's management of the Zoo.  So, I'm obviously not impressed.  In addition, I also emailed him when that Petition calling for Peterson's resignation came out last summer.  I asked him for a comment for a post I was writing about it.  I wanted to know whether or not the Board was taking the Petition and it's words seriously?  I got no reply.  

So, when I saw the series of photos of ex-Chair Poole, with Director Peterson, and Mayor Breed, onstage, smiling, laughing, holding a Panda drawing and obviously patting eachother on the back, I was disgusted. The Zoo is falling apart, the media is reporting scandalous issues, Staff has voted No Confidence in Peterson, and these key players are acting like nothing is wrong.  I get that its a party, but it just looks bad from my point of view.  I had hoped at some point the Mayor would be helpful in fixing the Zoo to some extent, not only because there are desperate fixes, but also because I would think she'd want the Zoo at its best for when her Pandas get here, but seeing those photos, it became very clear she is now in the nest of delusion and/or no care with the lot of them now that she's got her Panda Plan.  To me, it all read like the Zoo could crumble, but as long as the Panda enclosure is standing, all is good, and screw all the Animals that already live there, and the Zoo's other Needs. <

The Chronicle article from this past Thursday, reported news of current Zoo leaders, putting forth a proposed plan for a Management Team already in place, in Our Zoo, who are able to take over.

This KQED article gives further insight from that team.  

Earlier this month, a group of 12 unionized and nonunionized zoo employees sent the board of directors an anonymous letter, viewed by KQED, calling for Peterson’s removal. They wrote that she has created an environment that is “toxic beyond comprehension,” led by a lack of transparency, increasingly siloed departments and caused high employee turnover.

The dozen signatories, who said they are members of the zoo’s leadership team and sent the letter anonymously for fear of retaliation, wrote that employees would be able to step up to lead the facility if Peterson were removed.

“We will reverse the erosion of the programs, facilities, and standards that have progressively declined each year [Peterson] has held onto her power,” the letter reads.

I am beyond happy to hear more of their words. A Management Team of Current Staff has been what I have thought will be best to Fix Our Zoo.  

That said, I do believe there needs to be other changes for optimal success.  Those thoughts can wait.  First things first!

The immediate need is that Mayor Lurie and/or Phil Ginsburg need to take notice, and act now.  They need to Remove Tanya Peterson and let this proposed Management Team, start fixing and healing Our Zoo.

My Letter To RecPark & Mayor - A Simple and Precise Message

For documentation purposes.  As well, if anyone wants to use any of my words, feel free to.

Hello Again Commissioners, Phil Ginsburg, et al,

The time has come once again for you to not continue your Negligence of Duty to Our San Francisco Zoo.  

It is Your Responsibility to be the Oversight Entity of Our Zoo's management.  The Zoological Society management is broken and is failing Our Zoo Animals, Staff and Future.

You must override the Society Board, and Remove Tanya Peterson as Director.  

You must entertain the "management team" idea as put forth by twelve current management level staff, and give Our Zoo new life.

The San Francisco Zoo is City Owned.  The Zoological Society only Manages Our Zoo.  

Managers are not Owners.  How City Officials are not involved in this decision is pure Negligence.  

How, and Why, a management Board was even given this Power is questionable. ... Boards are most commonly made-up of Shareholders, aka Owners.

The Zoological Society Does Not Own Our Zoo.

The Three Re's...

Remove Tanya Peterson.  

Restructure Management.  

Redefine Zoological Society's Role.

Thank you,

Kim

Similar, with tweaks to the first two paragraphs made, was sent to Mayor Lurie.  

Hello Again Mayor Lurie,

The time has come once again for this Office and now  you to not continue your Negligence of Duty to Our San Francisco Zoo. 

It is Your Responsibility to make sure Our Zoo is managed at optimum.  The Zoological Society management is broken and is failing Our Zoo Animals, Staff and Future.

Related Post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-bottom-line-zoo-member-comment-to.html

The Bottom Line - A Zoo Member Comment To My Previous Post

From a Longtime Zoo Member:

"Tanya Peterson, you are a terrible human being. You are a terrible zoo leader. The fact that you can ‘stay’ after letters and cries for your ouster is more than appalling."

I wrote something similar not long ago, wondering how it must feel to work in a place, knowing the majority of Staff, wants you gone.

While I have used this word to describe Peterson before, at this point it's completely clear that Peterson is a narcissist.  Although I have recently wondered, if for some reason, she just doesn't get what she's done to Our Zoo.  Then I think back to all the down-right mean things she has done, and there really is no other explanation, except that she truly is a terrible person.  Someone I once knew, who knew her, literally referred to her as Terrible Tanya.

When word of the Boards alleged first vote on May 8, was rumored, a former Staff member posed a thought to me...  Why doesn't someone in her family advise her to resign?  Further expressing, that they felt bad for her.  While I would never feel bad for her, because I think she's not a good person.  This is a woman who kept Orangutans in cage tubes, even making fun if them, tried to kick-out Our Chimpanzees from their home of near fifty years, and had my membership account noted as "deceased".  I do agree, that someone close to her, specifically her husband, should say something?  Maybe they have, and her personality just won't allow her to accept the whole of the situation.  

In my opinion, all that is left to do, is to put pressure on the City Officials with the Authority to override the Zoo Board.  

Those Officials are The San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and the SF Recreation and Park Department. 

According to the Board of Supervisors, the later is the primary Authority under the Mayor's Office.  Their Responsibility is Oversight, of the Management of Our Zoo.  The RecPark has been severely Negligent in that duty, and therefore are complicit in the desperate state of Our Zoo.   They must be held accountable, and assert their Authority.

I have urged readers before, and I will again, contact these Authority entities.

Contact The RecPark Commission and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg.  All correspondence is sent to the Park Commissioners (although I also note that it be sent to the Commissioners and Phil Ginsburg), and entered into the official Full Commission Meeting documents.

*By email:  recpark.commission@sfgov.org

*Post correspondence (good for anonymous), for both can be sent to:

Park Commissioners and/or 

Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg

San Francisco Recreation & Parks

McLaren Lodge-Golden Gate Park

501 Stanyan Street

San Francisco, CA 94117

Contact The City Mayor Daniel Lurie.

*By email:  daniel.lurie@sfgov.org

*By post:

Mayor Daniel Lurie

San Francisco City Hall

1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place

San Francisco, CA 94102

I must continue to repeat this, not only for the sake of this being a stand-alone post, but for newcomers, and specifically for those City Officials, and the Zoological Society Board.

The San Francisco Zoo is City Owned.  The Zoological Society only Manages Our Zoo.  

Managers are not Owners.  How City Officials are not involved in this decision is pure Negligence.  

How, and Why, a management Board was even given this Power is questionable. ... Boards are most commonly made-up of Shareholders, aka Owners.

The Zoological Society Does Not Own Our Zoo.

The Three Re's...

Remove Tanya Peterson.  

Restructure Management.  

Redefine Zoological Society's Role.

Related Post:

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2024/09/the-san-francisco-zoological-society-is.html

View My Video:

https://youtu.be/u8abOOOYmKg

Well It's Happened - The Board Chair Resigned...

And apparently all that's left are Tanya supporters.  

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/s-f-zoo-ceo-remains-power-leader-attempted-20350320.php

I visited the Zoo Tuesday and Yesterday this week.  They were tough days.  I made some notes for a post detailing what happened, that I'm thinking about posting next week.  They're instances, words, and revelations from Staff on Tuesday that really pissed off.  Wednesday presented disappointment.  I don't mean to be cryptic, but this isn't the post for exposing all that, and I didn't plan on posting again until that post next week, but I felt I should include this latest development in my documentation.

That said, after this weeks visits, I'm pretty sure I will soon be done with blogging and burdening myself with Zoo issues.  The situations this week finally have me ready to distance myself from everything related to the Zoo, except visiting only for the joy seeing my Zoo Friends gives me.  The Animals will always be a part of my life.  They are important to my Soul.   But, now I see I can easily let go of all the bullshit.   

Just before the week started, I put something in motion that could help the Zoo.   If that moves forward, I will do what is needed for that to be successful.   After that, I'm done.   So the next couple weeks will dictate my timeline for letting go. 

There are a couple quotes in this evenings article , that prompted a post tonight.   

First, I have words for John Flynn, who is quoted below.  My reaction will follow.

> John Flynn, vice chair of the board, said that Peterson has unanimous support of the board, in a statement from Sam Singer, spokesperson for the zoo. <

To John Flynn, and all the Board Members, who I hope will somehow read this.  You All Disgust Me.  If you read the Letters presented to you, mine included, you are fully aware, of the offenses Tanya Peterson has put upon Our Animals and Our Zoo.   If you missed my Letter, look for it. I give literal descriptions of half dozen Animal Welfare Offenses committed by Tanya, and still you support her.  It's a Moral Crime that the Board of an Animal Care Facility, supports Animal Cruelty, such as condemning Orangutans to caged tubes for eight months straight.  While a pass could be previously given for ignorance, as Board Members have proven to not care, or not care to know, what really goes on at Our Zoo, there is no longer any excuse.

I could say more, but it obviously makes no difference to these people who lack compassion, and empathy for the innocent Beings living at Our Zoo.  They are also showing complete disregard for the Staff.  

I read the next statement in regards to the Zoo's Staff, and smiled.  If only.  I had no idea this was brewing...

> Twelve current members of the zoo’s management staff sent a group letter to the board on May 15 calling for Peterson’s termination, without including their names for fear of retaliation. The managers, including executives, pledged to lead the organization without her, in the letter obtained by the Chronicle. 

“We will thrive. We will fix the problems that Tanya has not only ignored, but created,” the letter read. It ended with a plea to the board to “find the courage to usher in a new era for the zoo.” <

I have not only written about Management Restructure, specifically but not limited to, a Management Team, but I have also talked to individuals about the idea.   Whether my idea had any influence, I don't know, but I am so proud of these individuals for putting this plan forward, as a very doable solution.   I have complete faith in a Cooperative Management structure.   Kudos to you all!   If only those with Authority cared, and/or took off their rose-colored glasses.   Someday!

Video Documentation About Zoo Board Not Removing Director Tanya Peterson

Even after banging out several posts yesterday, I woke up this morning still extremely bothered by this whole situation.   Not only is it upsetting, disappointing, and frustrating, it's mind boggling, How anyone can support Tanya Peterson still being allowed to run Our Zoo.  

The moral crime of this, had me feel like I could lose my mind, if things don't change at Our Zoo.  Seventeen years of this is just too much.  

So, this morning I still felt like I needed to take more action.  I started a Petition, even though I wasn't sure that was the forum I wanted to use.  A few hours later, I deleted it.  I spent the day, trying to keep the Zoo off my mind with a movie and nap.  Then, I decided to make a video.   I made one Thursday afternoon, while the vote result was still unknown.  I never made it public, but most of what I said, I documented in a post.

Below is tonight's.  I feel like there are still so many issues regarding the Zoo in play, but in this moment, the corruption of the biased or flat-out non-caring Board Members, and the RecPark and Mayor using their Authority to Remove Tanya Peterson as Director, is all that matters right now.

In this video, I speak out to the Board Members who were the hold-outs who still support Peterson and to The City Officials who have the Authority to override that and remove her.

https://youtu.be/u8abOOOYmKg

Related Post:

*This Evenings BIG Question & Today's Post Wrap-Up

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/05/this-evenings-big-question-todays-post.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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 , #SanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #SanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed ,
#SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie
#AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence, #Pandas #Bison

This Evenings BIG Question & Today's Post Wrap-Up

When I finished my last post, I was done for the day.  I went to get our dinner and then two thoughts happened...

First, after so much writing about the RecPark Commissioner's and Mayor's Authority over the Zoological Society Board, I thought...

Why hasn't the Board Chair Melinda Dunn asked the RecPark Commissioner's or the Mayor, for help in Removing Tanya Peterson as Our Zoo Director?

I'm pretty attached to wanting to know the answer to this, because this seems like the obvious fix.  Otherwise this whole voting production just seems like bad theater.

Additionally, I realized I posted alot on one subject, and without putting Related Post Links in each post, which I have no ambition to go back and do.  So, I decided to just make a post with the links.

Here's the list of efforts from the last 24 hrs.  

From Last Night...

*The Vote To Remove Zoo Director - What The Public Should Know

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-vote-to-remove-zoo-director-what.html

Today's...

*Zoo Board Still Unable To Remove Director - RecPark Commissioners Must Act Now!

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/05/zoo-board-still-unable-to-remove.html

*My Letter To The Recreation And Park Commissioners

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/05/my-letter-to-recreation-and-park.html

*Let's Not Forget Mayor Lurie Has Ignored Our Zoo - Email Him

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/05/lets-not-forget-mayor-lurie-has-ignored.html

Let's Not Forget Mayor Lurie Has Ignored Our Zoo - Email Him

People, in case you couldn't tell by my last two posts today, I am beyond pissed!   So, next up on my list, I'm going to Roar at San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie.  

Did no one read him in on his Authority over Our City Owned Zoo, or is he just ignoring it?  The guy is a Native and Resident, don't tell me he doesn't know what's going on.  

The Mayor, even above the Recreation and Park Commissioners, has the Authority to override the  Zoological Society Board.  The Zoological Society manages the Zoo, they do not own the Zoo.  The Zoo is City Owned.  Mayor Lurie needs to wake-up and do something to HELP Our Zoo.

I started contacting Lurie's Team as soon as he won the election last November.  They strung me along for months, communicating back and forth, yet never committing to putting a Meeting with the Mayor on the calendar for me.  Finally in mid-March, they said, "They couldn't schedule me at this time." Suggesting I email the Mayor, providing his direct email.  When I questioned Why they could not schedule me, I got no answer.  I endeavored to email him, as I had already written two letters, and thought it would be minimal additional effort.  I had sent those letters to him via the contacts that had been corresponding with me regarding scheduling, but had the thought that they may not have been forwarded as requested.  

I still have not followed through on doing that, even though I have it on my to-do list, and I still make notes for it.  I think my procrastination is in part that I'm effing tired of the whole Zoo bullshit, but really effing pissed at those with Authority to Help Our Zoo, do NOTHING.  That coupled with watching Lurie's social media videos of his daily flitting about town, but having no care for Our Zoo began to really piss me off.

The first one was his visit to the Grand Opening of Crumbl at Lakeshore Plaza.   

This place is literally just up the street from the Zoo, yet he has no interest in the Zoo.  They have Cookies too.

Then he's at some event at the Great Star Theater... Thanking them for taking care of a City Jewel!?

Our San Francisco Zoo is a City Jewel too, Why doesn't he care about the care that Our Zoo Needs??

Another use of operative wording, was this gem... talking about an Eatery that "Deserves" more attention!!!

Mayor Lurie, Our Zoo Deserves Your Attention!!!

Then this recent one, ribbon cutting at the new Nintendo Store at Union Square.

Playing around with Super Mario is obviously more important than listening to what's really going on at Our Zoo and how he can HELP!

I was further irritated by his 100 Day pat on the back.  

Knowing those newly elected to government office usually work everyday of their first hundred, I calculated... 100 days x 8 hours, 800 hrs x 60 minutes, this guy could have worked 48,000 minutes, yet he doesn't have 30 minutes to talk to a lifelong Resident about her passion for Our Zoo?  Disgusting.

I know there are big issues he's tackling in The City, but he's also out bullshitting around.  Sorry Our Zoo isn't on Sixth Street or in Union Square, but the Help it Needs is Valid.  

This guy, Our Mayor, needs to start caring about Our Zoo.  That care needs to start now.  He has the Authority to Fire Tanya Peterson.  Will he have the Balls to Remove her as Our San Francisco Zoo Director?  or Will he continue to Ignore Our Zoo?

Please send a letter to Mayor Lurie, ... daniel.lurie@sfgov.org ... Urge him to step-up.  Tell him you Support Removing Tanya Peterson as Our Zoo San Francisco Zoo's Director.  

If you sent a Letter to the Zoological Society in support of their Vote, send that.  Those Letters, your Voices need to be heard by the Mayor and the RecPark, they are the ones with Authority to override the Zoological Society.

If these Authority figures did their jobs, the Zoo would be out of the News, healing and thriving under a new caring management.  I guess they like the dark cloud on Our poor Zoo.  

Well, I've worked over eight hours today on Zoo stuff.  Apparently longer than the Board at both Meetings combined.  

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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 , #SanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #SanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed ,

#SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie

#AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence, #Pandas #Bison

My Letter To The Recreation And Park Commissioners

No nap for me today.  My face is pulsating.  I am so pissed right now.  I know I'm not the only one.

All I can do right now is be Vocal, networking from my Tablet.  

I ask anyone who cares to email the RecPark and express your feelings, long and short.  Now that I'm writing this I realize I also need to send them the Letter I wrote to the Zoological Society Board prior to the Vote.  Whether you are a Staff Member or associate, who wrote a Letter to the Board, or a Member of the Public, Please be a Voice for Our Zoo and contact the RecPark.  Your words matter.

Email ...  recpark.commission@sfgov.org   ...  Request your Letter be sent to the Commissioners, and Phil Ginsburg (Park General Manager).

My Letter...

> Hello Commissioners, Phil Ginsburg, et al,

Hopefully you are following the saga that is the Zoological Society's attempt to Remove Tanya Peterson as Director of Our Zoo.  

After three Votes they cannot come to a unanimous decision. It is time you FINALLY use your Authority and take not only an interest in Our Zoo but override their proceedings and make the Executive Decision to Fire Tanya!  

It is absolute Insanity that she is still allowed to run Our Zoo into the ground.  How much more evidence do you need?  Tell me?  I'll get it for you. 

My blog post on this.  And this is not the end.  I am a Leo and I will Roar Loud!

*Zoo Board Still Unable To Remove Director - RecPark Commissioners Must Act Now

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/05/zoo-board-still-unable-to-remove.html

Kim <

Zoo Board Still Unable To Remove Director - RecPark Commissioners Must Act Now!

Just about to get into a movie and a nap, and checked News.  This posted twenty minutes ago...

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/sf-zoo-turmoil-continues-no-consensus-leadership-20342893.php

What's Next?

I am urging Staff to stage a Walk-Out. 

This is a serious situation.  No one wants Tanya Peterson as the Director of Our Zoo, except apparently her friends on the Board, and selfish Chinese Community members who are only concerned with getting Panda's, Fuck the downfall that would cause Our Zoo, and Fuck the Animals that currently live there that have Needs that haven't been met.  You people Disgust me.

For those sensitive to the word Fuck, I'm sorry but pull-up your big kid pants and show some outrage for this situation.  Because THIS is a Fucking Outrage!

Kudos to the Board Member who resigned.  He seems to be the only one with some Balls to take a stand against this bullshit.  How much more evidence of mismanagement needs to be presented?  

This is about the Health, Thriving and Betterment of Our Zoo, not personal friendships, or Pandas!  

Zoo Staff must band together and literally take a stand.  Organize a Walk Out that would shutdown the Zoo.  It would take Animal Care Staff to remain caring for Animals, and other Staff to Walk Out with the goal of preventing the Zoo to open.

There should also be some sort of rally outside McClaren Lodge where Recreation and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg's Office is, urging him and Park Commissioners to make the Executive Decision to Remove Tanya Peterson as Director of Our San Francisco Zoo.   Enough is enough.  They have the Authority to override the Zoological Society, ...  Why do they never do anything to HELP Our Zoo???

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

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 , #SanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #SanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed ,

#SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie

#AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence, #Pandas #Bison

The Vote To Remove Zoo Director - What The Public Should Know

As we head into the weekend, the big question for those of us who care about Our Zoo is, What is the final outcome of the Zoological Society Board's Vote to Remove Tanya Peterson as Director?

Last Friday, May 16, the Chronicle reported that the Board would vote on May 20.  News of a vote was not a complete surprise as there was allegedly a previous vote on May 6, which I noted in a previous post.  That afternoon rumors swirled, that allegedly Tanya Peterson was initially fired, but a Board Member saved her.  Then that news report of a second vote came out.

I'm still very curious What the catalyst was, that set off a Vote to begin with?   Considering, her seventeen year history of mismanagement, and certainly the past year of constant exposure of that mismanagement in the media, there had to be something that was a breaking point.

If anyone knows, please FYI me a personal note using this blog's comment form.

This week, we all waited, anticipating the announcement that Our Zoo was Free of Tanya Peterson.  Two votes later, we are still waiting.  Will today be the day?   Whenever the Board decides to announce the outcome, regardless of the decision, there are things the public should know about why there have been multiple votes taken.  In my opinion, it lends to what I've said many times about the need to Restructure Management.

I have written endlessly about the neglect of duty by the managing entities of Our Zoo.  While these entities will deny it, I have experienced too many instances to support my words during the last seventeen years.  What they did before that, is of no consequence.  They have been made fully aware of Tanya Peterson's mass mismanagement for a very long time, at least since since 2011 when I started my crusade for Our Andean Bear Wishbone. That crusade included contacting Board Members and Donors.  If you'd like to learn about his plight, please visit...

http://projectgetwishbonegrass.blogspot.com/2011/04/welcome-mission-of-this-blog.html 

They, the managing entities, are the SF Zoological Society, the SF Recreation and Park Commissioners, and the City of San Francisco Mayor.  The later of course has been represented by several persons during the course of Peterson's reign.  The Mayor, and RecPark have been hands-off as any kind of Authority, at the very least since 2008.  The RecPark Commissioners will probably beg to differ as three chosen ones participate in the monthly Joint Zoo Meeting, and entertain the Zoo at the monthly Full Commission Meeting.  At neither Meeting or any other time, during the last seventeen years, have the RecPark Commissioner's fulfilled their duty of being the Oversight component of Our Zoo.  I'm sorry but it's time for them to recognize their negligence, and make changes that ensure they fulfill that responsibility moving forward.  That said, the Zoological Society must do the same.  Our Zoo got to this stage because No One Cared. Our Zoo has been ignored by those tasked with watching over it for too long, that must change.

The Zoological Society, the management entity of Our Zoo in my experience has been nonexistent as any kind of hands-on participant, as long as I have been monitoring, and that's been hard-core since 2011. From my perspective, all entities, but specifically the Zoological Society who has been tasked with being Our Zoo's Management, has given Director Peterson free rein to do whatever she wants, without any question.  They defer and support her, blindly.  Other than the annual ZooFest, and other fanfare one-offs, they seemingly do not even come to the Zoo, or initiate any interaction with Staff.  They basically know nothing about the Zoo they are supposed to be managing, other than what Peterson, the great spinner of illusions, tells them.

Good grief, I had to scroll back to see where I was going with all this in relation to the Votes.  Restructuring Management, that's where this was leading.  

So, about the Vote that took place on Tuesday.  There was no official word, except at the end of the day Wednesday, word was, there would be another Vote Thursday.  As of last night, no one has seemingly heard anything regarding the outcome.  

In my opinion there is some lack of transparency in this.  I understand until there is a definitive outcome, there is basically nothing to report, but considering Tuesday was the announced date of the Vote, an update is warranted.  At the very least, Zoo Staff should be told what's happening.  They have been left to wonder, and pull together the bits and pieces of rumored information that they've heard.  

Allegedly, Tuesday's Vote was at an impasse.  Which prompted another Vote yesterday.  Until Tuesday's Vote, I had been thinking of the vote in the terms we are most accustomed to where majority wins.  Yet, the Boards voting seems to based akin to jury protocol where the result must be unanimous?  That would be the only reason for multiple Votes being taken.

So, the big question, well not really, but for the sake of explanation and documentation, one would wonder particularly at this time in Our Zoo's history, How can a vote to remove Tanya Peterson not be unanimous?

In addition to the Staff Vote of a reported 93% (I heard 97%) No Confidence, the last year of media attention Peterson's mismanagement has brought down on Our Zoo, and in respect to this very Vote, the rumored 200+ Letters from Staff and others, that were given to the Board, again the question begs, How can a vote to remove Tanya Peterson not be unanimous?  How is it possible?

Granted as of this writing, I have not heard any new updates regarding the outcome of yesterday's Vote.  So, this is specifically speaking to Tuesday's Vote.  The only way it is seemingly possible for the Vote not to come back unanimous has to be Board Members who are Tanya's friends.  I have been told repeatedly through the years she is friends with many Board Members, some who she allegedly even gave seats to.  If they are the hold-outs, this is a big problem within management. 

Again, I don't know what the final result is (as I heard yesterday's Vote will be the last), but just for the sheer fact that there were hold-outs that prevented Tuesday's Vote to be unanimous, I think a close look into biased Board Members needs to happen.  Of course this is a speculation based both on fact and rumor, it's still valid, considering everything, especially specific to, but not limited to, the multiple Votes and mass mismanagement outcry.

Anyone, Board Member, RecPark Commissioners, or the Mayor, who are friends, or at least friendly with Tanya Peterson, should not allow personal relationships to interfere with professional judgments.  Do not put your feelings for your Party Pal, above your responsibility to Our Zoo.  The betterment of Our Zoo is what you are tasked with.  If that is not your priority, remove yourself from position.  

That said, let's hope we hear the outcome of yesterday's Vote by day's end.  Let's hope that result is the Removal of Tanya Peterson as Director of Our San Francisco Zoo.

Related Posts:

*Director Tanya Peterson - Will She Stay Or Will She Go?

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/05/director-tanya-peterson-will-she-stay.html

*Excitedly Anticipating Our Zoo Free Of Tanya Peterson

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2025/05/excitedly-anticipating-our-zoo-free-of.html

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