It is allegedly imminent that Our Beloved Lions Jasiri and Lulu will be leaving their home at Our Zoo. They are being kicked out in favor of bringing in Giant Pandas.
It is rumored this announcement will be made public at very soon. I wouldn't be surprised if CEO Cassandra Costello will make an announcement at the RecPark Full Commission Meeting today.
While this is not shocking news, as I predicted this would happen back in December 2024, it is slightly surprising, as Pandas have not been confirmed, AND I would have hoped new Management would have done right by Our Lions. My optimism for the future of Our Zoo is at zero, and my Soul weeps for Our Lions.
In December 2025, former Director Tanya Peterson was quoted in a Chronicle article relating to the costs of bringing in Pandas...
"However, that does not account for the cost of building a new exhibit for "the lions that will be ousted from the Historic Lion House."
I have written much about this outrage. The pure insanity that Our Lions would be displaced from their home, IN THE LION HOUSE, is not only far from logical, it's disgusting.
Further research showed the Zoo got approval from City Planning for this location of a new enclosure for Our Lions.
Enlargement of Approved Lion Relocation
I never believed this would happen. There was no funding for Pandas, let alone a new enclosure for Lions. In my opinion, this was just another lie from Tanya Peterson.
That said, this project site was submitted and approved by The City. The Zoo needs to honor what was said would happen. That Our Lions would have a new home built at Our Zoo.
In the recently released Audit at the Board of Supervisors order, this appears in the opening pages...
You can see that what I suspected would happen, is and probably always was, part of the Panda Plan. There will be no new enclosure for Our Lions. They will be sent to another Zoo.
In addition to this moral disgrace, will they even be sent together? When the Chimpanzees were set to transfer out, the female went to one Zoo, while the two males await their fate.
Our Zoo and City Mayor Daniel Lurie have no care to put everything into Pandas at the expense of beloved current residents. If the greater public knew this, there would be outrage.
It is also rumored Mayor Lurie will make an announcement about Pandas in the very near future. His announcement will allegedly include his alleged raised funds for Pandas.
If The Millionaire Mayor has gathered funds for Pandas, he can surely get funds to keep our Lions and build them the enclosure they were promised.
The Mayor does not care about Our Zoo, he only cares about creating a tighter bond with China and Chinese Tourism. Let Lurie pay for the new Lion enclosure!
It is something to ponder whether the City Loan is only to keep the Zoo afloat, until his Panda Want comes to fruition. If it fails, he will just close the Zoo.
Additionally, if the Mayor can or has got Panda Donors in place, why can't they or he put in additional funds and just build a new enclosure for Pandas? Our Zoo has increasingly empty enclosure areas, pick one.
I made this graphic to note the three areas in individual close-up graphics, and for showing this size comparisons, that aren't identifiable individually.
Graphic #3 shows the most logical open space to build a new enclosure for Pandas. I've written about this location several times. It's located south of Grizzly Gulch and encompasses not only the two huge adjacent former in-use enclosures, but extends further south toward former Hippo. Tons of area for a huge yard, and night quarters. With the most space to have visitor lines queue-up. And when we can no longer afford Pandas enclosure can be used for Black Bear upgrade or another Animal.
Graphic #1 shows the long talked about Triple Grotto site and adjacent open spaces. When the Orangutans move out and into what will be the former Chimpanzee area, this entire site will be vacant and fenced off for years to come. This currently front viewing site is in the Zoo's reported most trafficked area. A major focal point of the Zoo.
Years ago, when Orangutans were first subjected to living in this ancient enclosure, it was expressed to me by a Staffer, that it should be considered for Pandas, as a way to get a new build for Orangutans, when we could no longer afford Pandas. Now that Triple Grotto is set to be emptied, and in need of complete demolishing, fill-in and re-envision, this could be the most logical moving forward in bringing Pandas here.
This should be taken into serious consideration.
It would...
1. Keep Our Lions in THE LION HOUSE.
2. Solve the huge problem that leaving this site sit an eyesore for years will be.
3. Solve the problem of eventual fundraising, of fund use, for this site in the future.
If the Zoo can't see fit to entertain these options, they should at least think about the following...
I suggested two years ago when former Mayor London Breed first chased Pandas, The Zoo should only commit to Pandas for two years, three tops. If profitable then renegotiate for the additional time on the ten year lease. As noted in the recent Audit pages, it was determined that revenue increase is highest first two years, then decreases significantly. What doesn't decrease is the costs to have Pandas.
It is outrageous and irresponsible to proceed with the Panda Plan as is. While it is not a secret I am against bringing Pandas here at all, until Our Zoo is fixed and stable, that argument will never be heard. The Zoo and Mayor have even ignored their own staff who are against bring in Pandas. So, the seemingly more sane and logical plan would be...
1. Commit to a Temporary Lease for Pandas.
2. Temporary location in the Lion House that included sharing the Lion House with Lions.
3. After first eighteen months. reevaluate increase in revenue and costs.
4. If profitable and proceed with ten year lease, build Pandas their own enclosure, since there will supposedly be an excess of increased revenue.
5. Lions never leave.
That of course would be ideal for all involved. The only issue is, The Zoo is allowing the Chinese Government to dictate things that make no sense. Supposedly the Pandas can not be near or see any other Animal, hence the Lion eviction. Yet, the Snow Leopards who live next door and the visual of the Black Rhino is ok? Why is the Zoo bowing to this?
Sharing the Lion House...
There is no reason the Pandas need both Yards and the entire Lion House. Once the four Cat Yards became two, these enclosures became larger than even necessary. As well, a partition can be built inside to completely separate the Pandas from the Lions. If indoor Lion vocalizing echo is an issue, maybe what should happen is a night quarters for Pandas can be built on the exterior of the Lion House. That solves the whole sharing issue. There are windows in Yard A, one can be removed as an entry to an adjacent night quarters. The Pandas do not need visitor viewing dayrooms inside (doubling as night quarters) as proposed, but could have one outside adjacent to Yard. I'm actually really liking this idea! The only issue I see could possibly be if there would be a problem heating that extension area. Otherwise logically, visually, and most important compassionately for Our Lions, it seems like a valid option. There couldn't be much difference in price between building indoor rooms, as opposed to outdoor adjacent. At least with outdoor extension, it would ensure no contact at all with Lions. And temporary sharing is then doable. Once their Panda windfall happens they can build a new Panda enclosure, and then Lions get to have a sheltered area for visitors to view them when it's raining.
This was an idea that popped into my mind as I am writing this. So this is a new graphic just made. It shows the area in front of the main Lion House entrance, that could be used for Panda night quarters, and even be windowed to achieve the same thing proposed for inside.
These people need to think of ways to keep Our Lions, instead of thinking if them as expendable!
I am so upset and fed-up with this crap. Our Zoo is in such desperate shape it is near closing. The Loan is to keep the lights on and the Animals fed. Pandas aren't expected until Spring 2028. The Zoo needs to adopt my Roar from years ago and "Take Care At Home", and that doesn't include sending away Our Lions. Enough with reducing the collection, and ignoring basic fixes.
What is their plan for the next two years while waiting for Pandas to Save Our Zoo?
Keep Our Lions and Fix Our Zoo!
If Our Lions leave, I hope they pour all that money into Pandas and China turns around and says No Pandas For You!
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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
1 comment:
This makes me so sad. And as someone who has supervised a lot of zoo fieldtrips in the past few years, it will make the kids so sad!
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