Our San Francisco Zoo has been in the news this past week (4.15.24). News of Animal Welfare and Safety concerns, Employee vs Management Turmoil, and Mayor London Breed securing Giant Pandas for our SFZoo.
I have been documenting all the Zoo issues I know of, via my Zoo related blog ( iamnotananteater.blogspot.com ) for over thirteen years. I have shared my observations and upset with all managing entities, including the SF Zoological Society and the SF Recreation and Park Dept, both who are responsible for the checks and balances of what SFZoo Director Tanya Peterson does there. Not one person takes any issues put forth by myself, or staff, seriously. They have allowed Peterson's mismanagement for over fifiteen years.
Will anyone stop this insane cycle and help those of us who care, Save Our San Francisco Zoo?
There is a long Fix List and it should be tended to before anything happens in regards to Pandas arriving in San Francisco.
There is reported initial costs for the Panda venture of $25 million, and that's just for enclosures, a temporary and permanent. Two enclosures is obscene to me.
At the top of the Fix List, should be a complete redo of the Orangutan enclosure. I have documented the plight of these poor Souls, at the hands of Director Peterson's cruelty in not providing them with a proper home. They were kept in caged tubes for eight months, then given access to a sixty year old enclosure, where they will sadly remain for life, if something isn't done. This needs to be remedied before Pandas get not one, but two homes!?
(Edited) What needs to happen is using the majority of the $3-5 million slated to upgrade the temporary home for Pandas, for a new Orangutan home. There is no way the intended temporary enclosure, needs upgrades with that price tag. Anything else is misuse of funds and mismanagement.
(Updated Add) OR... The Mayor should scrap the permanent Panda residency plan and only commit to two years. Pandas remain in temporary enclosure, and after first year, evaluate whether it's financially worth moving forward with the expense of having Pandas permanently. If so, then build a permanent enclosure. This idea sees a huge initial reduction in the $25 million price tag, Pandas, and a new home for the Orangutans. It's a Win-Win!
There are other Fixes, including many Animal Needs, but there is also the Fix that needs to happen to prevent further mismanagement and ruin to our San Francisco Zoo. That is replacing Director Tanya Peterson and examination of the neglect in management duties by the San Francisco Zoological Society Board of Directors and the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department.
Our Zoo is owned by the City of San Francisco, and it's time the Mayor takes an interest in what's going on there. Especially now when she wants Giant Pandas to be a success for Our City.
Please Sign and Share this Petition, & add a Comment with your signature (which can be Anonymous), to Help Save Our Zoo. Do it for the Animals who already live there and the ones who someday will.
Thank you.
