First, moving forward when referring to the Zoo's leadership, I am only going to use CEO as Cassandra Costello's title. In my last post, which was probably the first one I've referenced her since her appointment, I used CEO/Director. I exclusively referred to the former Director as such, but now that title is seemingly less used.
After publishing yesterday's post, my after nap goal was to react to the Chronicle article I mentioned. As well, I wanted to try and put a finish on several posts in draft, since I made so many references to "more on that...".
Well, I woke to more online efforts relating to the news of the day, and honestly, the craziness of it all stopped me from moving forward as planned.
There are now four total regarding the Zoo "news" over the last thirty-six hrs. Yet, there is oddness in each one. An oddness that is hard to even put into words, I can't even figure if it's worth trying. I seriously had a fuck it moment and thought to abandon not just tackling the current info spew, but backburner my drafts as well, and just wait til the Audit is released, because what that reveals about the Panda Plan, is really a game changer for me. If the Panda Plan is not squashed by the Audit results, I have to seriously rethink my interest in the Zoo, outside of the joy I get from visiting the Animals. Can I really care about the Zoo and it's future, if something I am completely against goes through?
The two current hot topics concern the status of the Panda Plan, and the Firing of multiple Staffers. This was all kicked-off by The Anti-Zoo Activist's sensational post to his site, claiming the "Panda Deal Dead,... Animal Care Staff Fired and Escorted Off Premises." That was followed by the Chronicle reporting from a leaked internal staff email, the elimination of "a small number of positions" due to a “structural reorganization”. Also noting, individuals being let go would be notified within a week of that email. A far different tone than the sensational offering before it. These were then followed by Anti-Zoo group In Defense of Animals issuing a press release, welcoming "Panda" cancellation, and once again pushing for the EcoPark. Then came an article from Axios reporting a statement from CEO Costello, that the Panda Plan is still on track, and again declining to provide further details.
The lack of transparency regarding the Panda Plan, put me off again. This is at minimum, the third time, Costello has made evasive statements regarding Pandas, which are identified in my draft posts. Since I'm so against this as something that will "better" Our Zoo, the mention of Pandas still in play, literally stops me in my tracks, as far as being invested in Our Zoo thriving long-term. I don't say this as a slight to Costello, because it's not just her decision, and who knows what she actually thinks about Pandas, she is the face of the Want of the Zoological Society Board, as well with the support of Mayor Lurie, and Supervisor Melgar, who have been vocal about their Panda Want.
My opinion on the Panda Plan is no secret. I've written more posts than I can remember on why Our Zoo should not acquire Pandas, at least for the foreseeable future.
When I hear the Panda Plan is still in motion, I feel like nothing has changed. Nothing has been learned over the last two years. In October 2024 I wrote a two-part post about Changes Needed To Save Our Zoo. While not a steadfast guideline I expected would be followed, my thoughts remain valid, yet were obviously ignored. More on that in another post. I only bring it up here as the status of the Panda Plan directly lends to the lack of change at the core of management. I don't just mean at CEO level, I mean at Board level, I mean at City level. The Zoological Society Board is still supporting the acquisition of Pandas. The reality is, the mentality has not changed. And I fear it will again be the downfall of Our Zoo. Zoo Officials, even some City Officials, are not listening. They are not listening to their own financial situation screaming in desperation. They are not listening to the greater public, most importantly, our Zoo-going public, who seemingly wants Our Zoo to turn itself around for the Animals currently living there. They are certainly not listening to their own Animal Care Staff who do not think we should have Pandas, and have expressed that as far-up as the Society Board.
So, that brings us to yesterday, when all four online efforts, offered opposing information. The Anti-Zoo efforts maintain their information that the Panda Plan is not moving forward, while the other two, report it is. Axios specifically reporting they obtained word from the Zoo that the Panda Plan is "still on track", and that CEO Cassandra Costello declined to provide an updated timeline on when the Pandas will arrive.
What are we as members of the public supposed to believe? As much as I dislike the Anti-Zoo efforts and sensational presentation, can their position that Pandas are now a no-go, be completely dismissed? And if this proves true, which I hope it does, where does that leave the Zoo regarding public transparency? Because, "still on track", would then be a flat out lie. It made me wonder, if this is unfortunately somehow accurate, if the Zoo wants to keep Pandas in the news, because it creates some kind of hope for future grandeur?
Regarding my issue with Costello continuously being closed lip on the Panda Plan, I just find it suspicious. Again, my words are in no way a slight to how she's handling the helm, or my reserve of optimism for Our Zoo under her lead, but come on, it's getting weird.
I've been told the Panda Plan won't happen for many reasons, which I lean towards agreeing on. But, the Zoo is or was, still chasing the Want, and is maybe trying to overcome the obstacles? So, with literally nothing to share, hence the continued decline to share details, is what?, still keeping the Panda Plan alive for public optics?
Ok, let's get to wrapping this up. Staff Firings. Again, he said, she said. The Anti-Zoo guy states some have already happened, the Chronicle reports Staff involved will be notified within a week of announcement, a deadline that may have already passed. That all said, the Chronicle report was completely based on a leaked internal Staff email that stated, “structural reorganization” that will include the cutting of a “small number of positions."
My following opinions, may be unpopular with some, but shouldn't be a surprise as I've been vocal both in writing and in person with Staff I talk to. I have long thought there were too many non- Animal Care Staff positions (some seemingly made-up), and too many non- Animal Care Staffers who seemingly had a lot of free time to just wander the grounds. In my opinion, too many people pulling full-time paychecks, further adding to my frustration about the alleged lack of funds for Animal Needs.
Coming from management myself, I understand and even expressed the need many times over the years for the Zoo to tighten the purse strings in this way. It is a necessity, and I'm glad it's finally been identified. I have to applaud Costello, as it takes guts to move forward with something as sensitive as the loss of a job. Unless someone's a jerk and it's warranted!
While I do not know who those that were let go are, I have observed a lot, and am actually looking forward to seeing what positions the restructure involved, as well, who was let go. I hope appropriate choices were made.
Unfortunately an action like this, while necessary regardless of finances, is seemingly based on the current financial deficit, which has to have been in part contributed to by blind spending on Pandas. I recently noted in a post that I had personally seen a group of contractor types at the Zoo in relation to Pandas, and they weren't there for free. There has allegedly been a steady stream of such, and since the Audit could change the future of the Panda Plan, in my opinion the Zoo should not have been allowed to keep spending for something that may not happen. So, it does seem a bit unfair that some will loose their jobs possibly in relation to a factor of mismanagement. In my opinion, there's a lot of blame on former Director Tanya Peterson, the Zoological Society Board, and the Rec/Park Dept for allowing the Zoo to get to this point, by supporting Peterson for eighteen years. They should all be chipping in to dissolve this situation.
Previous Post:
*Blog And Visit Updates, Panda Yay or Nay, & Staff Firing Truths
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2026/03/blog-visit-updates-panda-yay-or-nay.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 , #SanFranciscoZooCEODirectorCassandraCostello , #FormerSanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #FormerSanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed , #SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie , #AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees , #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence, #Pandas , #Bison
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