Chaos at the San Francisco Zoo Could Mean a Reprieve for the Pandas

Over the past several months, the San Francisco Zoo has been experiencing increasing administrative turmoil as its plans to bring in giant pandas from China have renewed concerns about the facility’s deteriorating conditions and troubling history of animal neglect and mismanagement. When the zoo announced its intention to take in the pandas last year, animal advocates—including Species Unite—immediately voiced strong opposition due to the zoo’s substandard animal care, which has resulted in several preventable animal deaths over the years, including the tragic cases of Kabibe, a young gorilla who was crushed by a hydraulic door, and Handy Harry, a penguin who died from injuries sustained by a guillotine-style gate.

In response to these growing concerns, the city launched an audit of the zoo six months ago. However, tensions have escalated over the zoo’s lack of cooperation with the process. While zoo leadership claims they have mostly complied, the City Attorney’s Office reports that only five out of 25 requested documents have been provided to the Office of the Budget and Legislative Analyst, which is conducting the audit.

The ongoing mismanagement and internal drama led the zoo’s board of directors to attempt to remove longtime executive director Tanya Peterson. Peterson’s tenure has been marked by repeated failures to adequately respond to preventable animal deaths and other serious animal welfare issues. When the board failed to secure enough votes to oust her, three members resigned in protest.

More recently, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors has taken a stronger stance, threatening to withdraw $4 million in funding if the zoo does not fully comply with the audit. Meanwhile, Mayor Daniel Lurie has publicly expressed his desire to remove Peterson, urging the board to “develop a plan to name a new CEO.” Peterson, however, has dug in her heels and refused to step down.

This turmoil could actually be a silver lining for the pandas who are slated to arrive from China. The controversy surrounding the zoo’s management and poor animal care may ultimately jeopardize the panda acquisition, potentially sparing these beautiful endangered animals from being brought into a chaotic and unsafe environment they do not deserve.

You can join the growing movement speaking out for these pandas by signing our petition urging the San Francisco Zoo to cancel its planned panda acquisition and focus instead on upgrading its facilities and improving conditions for the animals currently in its care.