My block of IN days got reduced this weekend, so writing a blog post was not something I wanted to dilute my peace with. That said, I thought after dinner I might work on the one that follows the last and see how far I get. Didn't even get to.
A fellow Zoo Enthusiast messaged me, reminding that it's now been a year since Cassandra Costello picked up the baton that former CEO/Director Tanya Peterson finally threw down in defeat, letting go of her selfish clutch on Our Zoo.
Costello was hired as COO, but after the Board's six month unsuccessful search for a CEO/Director, she stepped-up and into the difficult role of leading Our Zoo out of the destruction left by Peterson.
This person, asked me a simple question... Based on everything you've seen and have heard, what grade would you give Cassandra overall in that time?
I quickly answered D+. I would have given a C-, if not for the whole fence issue.
I think giving overall kudos for bringing a different vibe, and lifting morale is due. Although I think some of that initial optimism has waned. I think many people both inside and outside the Zoo, are still keeping the faith, but for me, I would have hoped to see more progress, or have had strong reassurance from leadership of progress in motion. Instead, while I've seen and heard little things, the choice to evict Our Chimpanzees and Lions, is upsetting, and I'm not alone in that feeling.
While I've tried to remain optimistic, as the challenges a new CEO/Director coming into Our Zoo are not lost on me, especially the desperate financial position, but my patience is fading. I've documented kudos, but I've also said many times, that what I've seen is in my opinion, just not enough stuff getting done. Certainly not over the course of a year! Too many fixes that are either still outstanding or took too long, like the fence. Even if that that panel hadn't fell, she knew it looked like shit when she got there. If there wasn't a plan to replace it, what was done recently, should have been done last year.
For those who aren't around regularly, the week after my last fence post dated July 8, work started on the fence. Whether my post was a nudge, or the fever of fixing for the upcoming AZA Accreditation Inspection pushed it to the top of the agenda, it's now fixed to a degree that it looks 1000x better. Even though I still don't know why they continue to hold on to a Fifty+ year old weathered wood fence.
I mentioned patience. I admit I have little patience in regards to most things. If I see or hear of a problem, not just Zoo related, my mind immediately tries to solve it. So, after eighteen years of watching Our Zoo crumble, seeing all the fails, and lack of care from all entities (Board and City) tasked with protecting Our Animals and Our Zoo, when the main problem (Peterson) was eliminated, damn right I want to see and hear of immediate fixes. I'm not unreasonable, I know too many needs require funding, I'm talking about the doable list. From making sure all enclosure windows have Bird Strike preventative decals, to that damn fence. Those things do not take a year to remedy.
With that, I have to wonder, why there are so many things still not done? Is Costello just a slow performer, or if there is too much concentration on Pandas? We don't get any updates. Maybe big wheels are turning, but all we pretty much hear is about the expectation of Pandas.
And Fundraising! Where is Fundraising? I want to see specific fundraising, which is different than revenue driving. Why has there been no push to raise funds for a new Lion enclosure? Is it because they don't want to take away from possible Panda funds? In my opinion the Society Members and Board Donors should be pulling together for Our Lions. It's because of their negligent support of Peterson that there are no funds for Our Lions. Absolutely no funds for Pandas should come from Society Members or Board Donors, aka those tasked with using their own funds for Needs, not Wants! The Lions Needs are in this position because of the Panda Want. And, It's Not Right!
For that matter, where is the Panda Funding coming from? There has been much emphasis put on more transparency with this administration, but we hear nothing about Panda funding. I have read that allegedly China dictates that no information be made public, so I assume NDAs of sorts are part of the agreement. That said, it's not right that this Panda Want is not only costing Our Zoo beyond it's financial means, but it's costing us Our Lions, and we are not privvy to any details.
Additionally, and again I'm not the only one who has this question, How long will the Panda chase last? Is there a deadline for giving up if funds haven't been raised?
So, I went off on a Panda tangent, but it's related to Our Lions eviction, and keeping that active has been a goal. Never forget.
In closing, since I've brought up transparency, and the Board, though not really in relation, I think it's interesting, no, it's curious, that the Board has stayed silent. Why is that? Why has the public not heard anything from the Board, especially the Chairperson? Not on what's happening in the Zoo, not on their Management plan, not about any Fundraising? Isn't a large part of the Society/Board's management rooted in raising funds?
I like the grade evaluation. If you have thoughts and a grade, leave a comment.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
> Previous Post:
What Will Happen To Our Lions & Chimps - The Bottom Line Of My Main Concerns
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2026/07/what-will-happen-to-our-lions-chimps.html
> Related Posts: Use Search Box in upper left corner and search keywords pertaining to current post.
> Comments: Note that Anonymous Comments are accepted. I moderate all comments before publishing. If you are using this form for a non-publish correspondence, please note "Personal" on it. Thank you for your participation and/or feedback.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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 , #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 , #Lions
