Well it's now 6a, I fell asleep, while editing. I started this just after midnight when I decided to take a look at a few notes for this post, and maybe attempt a start at it, even though I still need to read through all the research information ChatGPT generated. First, I glanced at my previous post.
I realized, I didn't adjust my post title to reflect the initial info I read, that noted The City's $18 million contribution was part of the $40 million project budget, not just the Pavilion. I have added an update to that post stating that, also adding that the Pavilion is not the issue, the $18 million is. So, the outrage remains valid.
Admittedly, after publishing my previous post, I realized I reacted to the title of that article in error, becoming outraged without even knowing the $40 million funding breakdown yet. Sure it resulted in a mistake in my post title, and some text, that I would have preferred not to have made, but I don't think the error changes the issue, and I think the mistake is understandable, as once I read a quote from the RecPark, I knew there would be City funding, and through the same department the Zoo is in. I've been jaded by the constant expenditures the City and RecPark have made for too many years, during which time they have completely ignored Our Zoo.
For too many years, The City and it's RecPark Dept specifically, have found funds for countless projects, while Our City Owned Zoo's list of Needs grew. Just how long this has been going on, I don't know, but I do know at the very least City Officials have known that the former Chimpanzee enclosure on the Triple Grotto site, that currently houses Orangutans, has been in dire need of rebuilding since at least 2015. This is a space they have not made any efforts to invest in, and is a focal point in this City owned facility. I would bet that City funds have been used by the RecPark for far more than $18 million over all these years.
Also of note, this news about the Embarcadero Park is not new. During my research I saw articles with dates from earlier this year. I remember that announcement, I just didn't read any of the articles about it. With my recent attention on the plight of Our Lions and Our Chimpanzees, I'm extra alert when The City/RecPark is noted as funding anything related to recreational spaces.
In addition to my research regarding where the $18 million in City funding for the Embarcadero Park is coming from, I am revisiting an old curiosity. In June, the SF Standard published an article that stated there would be a freeze on the City's $9 million funding to the California Academy of Science, pending an audit.
At the time I was surprised to hear the Academy was receiving City funding, and especially $9 million, as that would be comparable to what the Zoo's management fee increase would be if they had received Cost of Living increases the last thirty-three years. I made some initial inquiries as to whether this funding was similar to a management fee, even though the Academy is not City Owned, like Our Zoo is. So, basically I wanted to know How, What and Why, they were receiving these funds, and Our Zoo was not.
I did get responses, but got overwhelmed and never sorted through them. Then other things came up and to date, I haven't pursued further. Now, I'm giving it another try. Along side the open ChatGPT window with the breakdown of the Embarcadero funding, is another open window with the Academy query results, in addition to all the associated links, and the ones from those responses. I will endeavor to read through them, but I have a feeling I won't get far, because I just don't have the ambition to sort through all that information. I'm interested in the knowledge, but I really am done with spending so much time on Zoo stuff. I may just copy and paste generated info, and provide links. Those of you interested can read what appeals to you. For all of us, this is only informational, not something we can use for any change, and frankly it's the responsibility of Zoo management to take notice of, and seek change in funding they recieve for the betterment of Our Zoo's future.
As I've felt all along, and have an even stronger feeling about now, there is is quite possibly something extremely unjust in all of this.
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Previous Post:
City To Fund $40 Mil Park Structure, But Won't Invest In Our Zoo- Seriously WTF?
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2026/10/city-to-fund-40-mil-park-structure-but.html
> 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.
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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 , #Lions
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