The San Francisco Zoo is a 100-acre (40 ha) zoo located in the southwestern corner of San Francisco, California, between Lake Merced and the Pacific Ocean along the Great Highway. In October 2024, A SF city report described the zoo as ‘unsafe for visitors and animals,’ The zoo's main entrance (one located on the north side across Sloat Boulevard and one block south of the Muni MetroL Taraval line) is to the west, on the ocean side. The SF Zoo is owned by the San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department,[3] and managed by the San Francisco Zoological Society,[4] a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.[5] under a public-private partnership since 1993, receives $4.2 million annually from the city. As of 2016, the zoo housed more than one thousand individual animals, representing more than 250 species. It is noted as the birthplace of Koko the gorilla, and, from 1974 to 2016, the home of Elly, the oldest black rhinoceros in North America.[6]
African Savanna, Gorilla Preserve, Grizzly Gulch, Primate Discovery Center (Lemur Forest), Cat Kingdom, Penguin Island, Red Panda Treehouse, Insect Zoo
Described as "The worst-run city zoo in America" by critics,[7] The San Francisco Zoo has faced criticism over its leadership and management practices, with concerns raised about animal welfare, outdated facilities, and misaligned priorities. A city report described the zoo as ‘unsafe for visitors and animals,’ further intensifying scrutiny on its conditions.[8] Despite a recent internal investigation by the San Francisco Zoological Society affirming CEO Tanya Peterson's position,[9] critics argue that her tenure has been marked by neglect and poor conditions for the animals.[7] High-profile projects, such as a proposed $70 million panda plan,[10] have drawn ire for diverting resources from necessary improvements.[11]SF Zoo Watch, are calling for reforms, suggesting that the zoo's management be transferred to an organization focused on conservation and animal welfare.
In the 1930s, the first exhibits built cost $3.5 million, which included Monkey Island, Lion House, Elephant House, a small mammal grotto, an aviary, and beargrottos. These spacious, ha-haed enclosures were among the first bar-less exhibits in the country.
In 1955, The San Francisco News launched a nationwide fund-raising campaign, "The News Elephant Fund" and children around the country sent in small change, even Ed Sullivan contributed, then purchased a baby female Asian elephant, named Pennie, for the pennies donated to buy her.[13] In October 1990, zoo officials announced an elephant exhibit renovation.[14] In 1995, Pennie was put to sleep.[13]
The zoo has faced decades of scrutiny[15] over its safety protocols, animal care practices and management. Criticism extended to Zoo Director Tanya Peterson, whose leadership has been questioned over alleged mismanagement and animal care practices.[16] Incidents, including the theft of a squirrel monkey[17] and lemur,[18] the death of a young gorilla due to a hydraulic door malfunction,[19] and a radio spying controversy,[20] fueled concerns about the zoo's operations. Additionally, violations of local laws and a breach of contract regarding public access to operational information were reported.[21] Amidst ongoing criticisms, the zoo faced incidents like a mountain lion killing marsupials[22] and a grizzly bear escaping primary containment,[16] prompting continued scrutiny[23] and calls for improved management and animal welfare practices.[24]
Over the next forty years, the Zoological Society became a powerful fundraising source for the San Francisco Zoo, just as Fleishhacker had hoped when he envisioned: "…a Zoological Society similar to those established in other large cities. The Zoological Society will aid the Parks Commission in the acquisition of rare animals and in the operation of the zoo." [citation needed] True to its charter, the Society immediately exerted its influence on the zoo, obtaining more than 1,300 annual memberships in its first ten years (nearly 25,000 today). It also funded projects like the renovation of the Children’s Zoo in 1964, development of the African Scene in 1967, the purchase of medical equipment for the new zoo Hospital in 1975, and the establishment of the Avian Conservation Center in 1978.
In November 2004, Tinkerbelle, San Francisco Zoo's last Asian elephant, was moved to ARK 2000, a sanctuary run by PAWS-Performing Animal Welfare Society located in the Sierra Nevada foothills. She was later joined in March 2005 by the African elephant Lulu, the last elephant on display at the zoo. The moves followed the highly publicized deaths of thirty-eight-year-old Calle in March 2004, and forty-three-year-old Maybelle the following month.[25]
In early 2006, the SF Zoo announced its offer to name a soon-to-hatch American bald eagle after comedian Stephen Colbert.[26] The publicity and goodwill garnered from coverage of the event on the Colbert Report was a windfall for the zoo and the city of San Francisco.[citation needed] Stephen Jr. was born on April 17, 2006.
In October 2024, the San Francisco Animal Control and Welfare Commission released a scathing report on the San Francisco Zoo, describing the 95-year-old facility as “extremely outdated” and “unsafe for visitors and animals.” The Commission, an advisory body to the city, unanimously supported the report’s recommendations, including a call for an audit by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. The Commission found that many of the zoo’s enclosures failed to meet basic animal welfare standards, calling the facility "dilapidated" and in need of a comprehensive, strategic redesign. Despite recent inspections from the USDA and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) confirming the zoo's compliance with minimum standards, the Commission deemed these measures insufficient, highlighting the dangers to both animals and visitors.[8]
In 1997, the San Francisco Zoo secured $48 million through a bond measure aimed at revitalizing its facilities, with orangutans and chimpanzees serving as the focal points of the campaign. Despite pledges to overhaul the aging infrastructure and create lush environments like the proposed Great Ape Forest, substantial enhancements remain incomplete decades later. Critics argue that while the zoo focused on enhancing visitor amenities, animal welfare concerns persist, sparking debates over the management of taxpayer funds. Concurrently, the city's Commission of Animal Control and Welfare acknowledged the zoo's efforts to enhance the visitor experience through various bond-funded projects, including the restoration of the zoo carousel, the construction of the animal resource center, and the renovation of the entrance. However, concerns linger over the allocation of funds, particularly regarding the $15 million project combining the new lemur exhibit with facility upgrades.[15]
Tatiana, a Siberian tiger that escaped her cage and attacked three people, killing one.
On December 22, 2006, Tatiana, the 242-pound Siberian tiger, attacked zookeeper Lori Komejan, causing the keeper to be hospitalized for several weeks with lacerated limbs and shock. The Lion House was closed for ten months as a result. California's Division of Occupation Safety and Health found the zoo liable for the keeper's injuries, fined the zoo, and ordered safety improvements.[28][29][30]
On December 25, 2007, the same tiger escaped from her grotto and attacked three zoo visitors after being taunted and pummeled by sticks and pine cones by the visitors. Carlos Sousa, 17, of San Jose, California, was killed at the scene, while another taunter was mauled and survived. The tiger was shot and killed by police while hiding in the landscape after the attack. Three other tigers who shared Tatiana's grotto did not escape.[31][32] Tatiana arrived at the San Francisco Zoo from the Denver Zoo in 2005, in hopes that she would mate.[33] (This "Tatiana" is not the same as the one successfully breeding in the Toronto Zoo). According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the attack is the first visitor fatality due to animal escape at a member zoo in the history of the organization.[34]
Tanya Peterson, a former lawyer assumed the role of interim director in June 2008, despite having never taken care of wild animals or managed a nonprofit,[35] has continued as CEO and executive director, with an annual salary of $339,500 as of the 2022. Peterson faced criticisms of animal care practices,[36] and management decisions including the hiring of her daughter as a paid intern and her fiance to perform concerts at the zoo. Complaints also arose over Peterson's social media presence, particularly a Facebook photo showing her in close proximity to a seal, contravening federal guidelines. In 2014 Members of the zoo’s union then cast a vote of no-confidence in Peterson, saying in a letter to the zoo’s board that the director "promoted a punitive/retaliatory culture” and “failed to provide proper oversight and senior management accountability on safety issues"[16] and in April 2024 97% of the zoo’s union members cast another vote of no-confidence in Peterson, alleging that Peterson had created a toxic work environment, exacerbated staffing shortages, and neglected safety concerns, including issues with the security of proposed housing for a new jaguar.[37]
Banana-Sam, a squirrel monkey was stolen from his cage on December 31, 2011. Vandals broke into the zoo and cut the netting around the squirrel monkey pen, prompting a search by zoo and police officials. Eventually Banana-Sam was found in a nearby park.[38]
Following the death of Kabibe, a young gorilla crushed by a door in her enclosure at the San Francisco Zoo in November 2014, the facility faced repercussions from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Despite the zoo's payment of a $1,750 fine, critics, including the International Primate Protection League, deemed the penalty insufficient. The incident occurred during the relocation of gorillas after closing hours, when Kabibe unexpectedly darted under a closing hydraulic door. The zoo's executive director acknowledged breaches in protocol and highlighted routine USDA inspections that previously found no issues with the enclosure. However, expert opinions revealed flaws in the enclosure's design and operational procedures, raising concerns about the safety of both animals and staff.[19]
In March 2015, San Francisco Zoo employees raised concerns over allegations that management had been using the radios they were required to wear for spying purposes. The issue came to light when employees discovered that their conversations were being picked up by a "hot mic" feature on the radios. While management denied using the radios for spying, a whistleblower claimed that managers were eavesdropping on conversations and even laughing about it.[20]
In April 2017 a dispute over the euthanization of a cancer-stricken monkey at the San Francisco Zoo revealed tensions between employees and management regarding animal care. The incident, involving a 15-month-old patas monkey named Bernardo, sparked controversy when zookeepers accused Executive Director Tanya Peterson, with no background in animal care,[39] of delaying euthanasia despite the animal's suffering. Peterson refuted the claims, stating that proper procedures were followed.[36]
On June 12, 2020, a kangaroo and two wallaroos were found dead in their enclosure. Zoo officials suspected a local wild carnivore as the culprit. Speculation arose about the involvement of a young mountain lion sighted in the area prior to its capture on Thursday of the same week.[22]
In August 2018, former zookeeper Trisha Cassianni reported an incident involving a 9-year-old male gorilla named Hasani. While working in the gorilla building, Cassianni heard her coworker shout a warning to Hasani. She observed the ape successfully pulling open a hydraulic door, partially. Although keepers managed to distract Hasani and relocate him safely, investigation revealed that the door malfunctioned due to hydraulic fluid leakage. Records indicated two previous instances of door malfunctions and repairs in the months leading up to the incident. Cassianni expressed concern that had the keepers been in the adjacent space, the situation could have resulted in a catastrophic outcome.
Violation of Local, State Laws and Breach of Contract
On June 18, 2019, the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force unanimously found the San Francisco Zoological Society (SFZS) in violation of the San Francisco Sunshine Ordinance and California Public Records Act for its failure to respond to requested records from Justin Barker, in his efforts gain insight into the inner workings of the San Francisco Zoo. It was noted that the zoo was also breaching its lease agreement with San Francisco, which mandates public access to operational information. The San Francisco Zoological Society, a non-profit managing the zoo under a public-private partnership since 1993, receives $4.2 million annually from the city.[40]
In October 2020, a 30-year-old man was arrested when he stole an endangered ring-tailed lemur named Maki. He was charged in July 2021 for a violation of the Endangered Species Act. He faces $50,000 in fines and as much as one year in prison. Maki was found the day after he was kidnapped at a playground in Daly City and was returned to the zoo.[41]
Former San Francisco Zoo employees Melissa Lory and Trisha Cassianni spoke out about the zoo's treatment of orangutans, expressing concerns about welfare and describing the facility as dysfunctional. Lory, who worked as an orangutan keeper, recounted her experience caring for orangutans Ollie and Amoi, later renamed Berani and Judy, in a 1950s-era primate exhibit lacking sufficient space for natural movement. She noted the inadequate outdoor access and unsuitable conditions, including dark interiors and rat infestations. Cassianni echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the zoo's apparent disregard for animal well-being. Despite improvements eventually made, including the orangutans gaining access to an outdoor yard, concerns persisted among former employees and animal welfare advocates. The zoo, while acknowledging delays in construction and ongoing efforts to enhance habitats, faced criticism for its treatment of animals.[16]
In May 2023, Kiona, the grizzly bear, breached primary containment, venturing into the zookeeper area, where only a gate, a regular door, and a chain-link barrier separated her from the public. Amidst the chaos, a zookeeper swiftly fled for safety, coaxing Kiona into another outdoor habitat before securely locking the doors behind them.[16]
In June 2023, an incident occurred involving a 1-year-old Magellanic penguin named Handy Harry, who was struck and killed by a guillotine shift door while being secured for pool cleaning. Following safety concerns, the decision was made to relocate the remaining penguins from the otter exhibit to the main penguin colony eight months later.
Two black bears were rescued as orphans in Alaska. The male was found on the edges of town near Valdez in May 2017 and the female cub was found near Juneau in June 2017. Both cubs were determined by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to be motherless and were brought to Alaska Zoo and rehabilitated back to health. In 2017, the Alaska Zoo had more orphaned bear cubs than ever before, due to the repeal of bear hunting regulations by the Trump administration, which allowed for the hunting of hibernating bears in their dens. Mr. Lampi said.[42][43][44] The two bears were brought to the San Francisco Zoo in 2017 and a previously empty habitat was repurposed to host them.[45]
The zoo housed Henry, a 10-year-old blind California sea lion who was found stranded on a beach in Humboldt County in 2010. In 2012, he was brought to the San Francisco Zoo, he was treated by veterinarians for his blindness.[46]
The San Francisco Zoo participates in Species Survival Plans, conservation programs sponsored by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The program began in 1981 for selected species in North American zoos and aquariums where the breeding of a species done to maintain healthy, self-sustaining, genetically diverse and demographically stable populations.[47] The zoo participates in more than 30 SSP programs, working to conserve species ranging from Madagascan radiated tortoises and reticulated giraffes to black rhinos and gorillas.
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